Too late to boost?

[protojason]

Hi folks,

I havent fallen into money or anything, and the urge to boost is alive and well, however the miles keep on adding up on the car...

SO,

Basically, at what point would you deem a car 'too old/worn to be boosted and still be reliable?

Please realise, I understand that theres no substitute for a well designed turbo set up, and yes I've read (and met) Corky Bell's book on the matter.. but at what point do you say "ah well....faster car next time'. . .

I'm at 45k miles nowadays...Still love the p5. (this car turned me into a bit of a 'car guy'.....and I used to have a 65mustang when I wasnt a "car guy" took it for granted....*sigh*...hindsight is 20/20.

Jason

 

[nealric]

Well, if you build the motor it wont really matter how many miles are on your current.

Im pretty sure you are fine boosting it at 45k. Im planning on boosting mine at 60k

 

[Kansei]

I'm at 62500 and I'm planning on boosting as soon as I get a job (like for the summer or something). As long as maintenance on the engine is done it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Wes]

I think 200K might be too many... (poke)

 

[Kansei]

I think 200K might be too many... (poke)

I dunno my roommate is at 210k on his volvo, turbocharged from the start (a 2.3 4-cyl at like 8 psi or so I think, something like 180 HP)

 

[65racecoupe]

I am at just over 50K, and I am doing EVERYTHING to my P5.

 

[Martino617]

all it takes is $$$$$ to go fast. Im with Nealric once the engine is rebuilt there shouldnt be worries.

 

[bazooka joe]

just turned 79K been boostin for 7K and love in it!! it's only to late when the car is gone!

 

[BlkWidow]

just turned 79K been boostin for 7K and love in it!! it's only to late when the car is gone!

(first)

 

[protojason]

Thanks for the thoughts folks...and the lack of flames to what may be perceived as such a "n000b" question. I was excited when I learned that corky bell's shop is approx 35mins away... caught the bug.

Imagine my surprise when I check out his site and see...No more protege turbos...but you can buy all the jigs and such etc etc. He's a nice guy though...I mean...were not buddies or anything, and he probably doesnt remember much but the visit made an impression.

Kudos to MAM and Hiboost for keeping the dream alive.

 

[65racecoupe]

Just a heads up, boost makes these cars TOTALLY DIFFERENT. It is totally worth it.

 

[avarela86]

Yeah man...good luck if you go boosting. I am in the process, just need a couple more parts. I personally have an older MAM SS kit and my car is gonna hit 80k soon.

 

[JOMO]

Yes, totally different and very enjoyable. I can never get rid of her. Saving up for internals as we speak.

 

[SpaceProtege]

just don't go nuts with the boost and she will be good to you
mines going to be garaged for 15 months because I got orders to Spain
and want to bring back an Opel speedster if I can find a used one in my budget
but the Protege has grown on me

 

[bazooka joe]

Just a heads up, boost makes these cars TOTALLY DIFFERENT. It is totally worth it.

amen!

 

[Kansei]

Just a heads up, boost makes these cars TOTALLY DIFFERENT. It is totally worth it.

Argh, top making me want to boost. The only turbo cars I've ever been in are both volvos, an S40 1.9T and a 940SE 2.3T... both of which are... bleh. I've wanted to turbo my car just to have a project to do; I'm basically ok with how fast my car is with NA mods. I'm thinking that instead of frequently being at WOT and hitting redline, if I was boosted I could be lighter on the throttle and not feel like I'm pushing the car too much to accelerate a quickly.

I've seen dyno charts and all, but just how fast are we talking?

 

[BBSF2]

boosted my car wit 86000 miles on it, and have had no problems, even though its only been about 2500 miles since its been on. with the right tune, and you not beatin the piss outta it all the time, it should last a while. im runnin 7 psi, and am lovin every minute of it!!
craig

 

[Jeph]

I boosted mine around 4500, but dropped a completely new motor in, so no worries for me

 

[65racecoupe]

Argh, top making me want to boost. The only turbo cars I've ever been in are both volvos, an S40 1.9T and a 940SE 2.3T... both of which are... bleh. I've wanted to turbo my car just to have a project to do; I'm basically ok with how fast my car is with NA mods. I'm thinking that instead of frequently being at WOT and hitting redline, if I was boosted I could be lighter on the throttle and not feel like I'm pushing the car too much to accelerate a quickly.

I've seen dyno charts and all, but just how fast are we talking?

How fast are we talking?.....

Faster than 99 percent of anything on the road, no BS. The guys making the big power on here will, anyway (CWill, Superprotege, ddogg77, myself soon).

11 seconds will happen with a daily driver, full interior, fully streetable, reliable P5 or MP3.

If you are only wanting medium boost to make the car better and more fun, you will have a faster car than most V8 Mustangs and Camaros, etc (faster than ALL stock ones).

If you do EVERY single bolt on NA, including cams, you will not get close to the speed of a STOCK block Protege' on 5 lbs of boost with a piggyback EMS, simple as that.

There are a couple levels of boost you can get your car to.
1. Full out - see my mods below - pretty damn fast
2. Medium - Built block, piggyback EMS, 7 to 15 psi
3. Mild - stock block, 5 to 7 psi.

Without giving too much away, my mods (bought, not yet installed)....

Thumper Kit
MAM built block
Crower reground stock cams
Full exhaust (megan cat back)
Quaiffe LSD
AEM / MSD set up
not giving out any more info.....

 

[Kansei]

If you do EVERY single bolt on NA, including cams, you will not get close to the speed of a STOCK block Protege' on 5 lbs of boost with a piggyback EMS, simple as that.

Exactly my problem. I should have boosted as soon as I learned that our engine really hates NA mods. Maybe Mazda just designed stuff pretty well or something, but it seems like you can't get anything out of this motor without forced induction.