Going turbo...

[Banks618]

Hello all, I have been searching many forums for information about turboing the MP3. I will be purchasing the components over time. I wanted to know if I should just save up until I can purchase a full kit from hiBoost or MAM, or in what order I could purchase components to build my way up to having a turboed car.
Like I said I am fairly new and am asking for some advice.

 

[brealmp3]

it really depends on how fast you want to get there, and how much power you want. i've seen some buy a setup off the msp and just bolt it on. but i went with the mam kit and been happy. but you really need to sit down, make a list and see which route will meet your needs and what will make you happy in the end. but i suggest do alot of reading about this stuff because it's not something you can just slap and drive. there is more to it than that.

 

[Banks618]

I have been thinking about doing this for quite some time now and really do not have time or money to mess things up. I was thinking about replacing the pistons and rods with forged ones from Arias before going turbo, but I am unsure if that would cause problems due to the compression ratio that was dropped.

 

[ForBidden]

i dont think it would hurt it but it will be a bit slower ide turbo befor the pistons and rods. u want the compression to drop so u can run more boost if u slap on a turbo u can get 6-8lbs to be somewhat safe go any more and u could pop your motor.

 

[Banks618]

If I was to purchase the hiBoost budget kit would a 2003.5 msp ecu be able to control the turbo without damaging my engine? I would only use the msp ecu until I could afford to buy a haltech, unichip, or microtech ecu. and I would definitely get one with fuel management for when I swap out the pistons and intake manifold. Which ecu would anyone recommend?

 

[Jeph]

The MSP ECU is NOT a very reliable means of controlling your engine. It is programmed specifically for the MSP. In my opinion a FMU and voltage clamp is better than throwing a MSP into your car.

 

[Banks618]

My other thought rather than going the turbo route would be to replace the intake manifold with the dual intake manifold or the single intake manifold from 323 (pending hp differences and price differences) a CAI, new exhaust header, and high compression pistons, I would still need a new ecu with fuel management would I not?

 

[ForBidden]

you wouldnt need the new ecu mabe a fmu thats it.

 

[Jeph]

No, to run High comp pistons, you would need some sort of advanced engine management. A FMU adds fuel based on boost it sees, since a NA engine wouldn't be producing any boost, then it would be worthless in a high comp NA engine...

 

[Banks618]

I thought you could manually adjust the fmu to whatever setting desired even with NA engines

 

[Boston5761]

I'll swap you my p5 ecu for your advanced timing mp3 ecu. Don't want to blow that thing up!

 

[Jeph]

Maybe i am wrong, but thats the way i understood FMUs working...