Which Turbo Kit is better?

[renaissance]

Having just got my new P5, now I need to get the turbo kit. I have been reading up on 2 companies that offer kits:

HiBoost - $3995.00
Spool stage 2 kit - $3495.00

What I am after is quality and reliability, being down in Florida with our hot and humid climate.

So which kit should I chose? Which one is better?

 

[zmepro]

spool

 

[Matthew]

first off, welcome to the board.

read this, im going to buy a spool stage one kit (stage two just has an intercooler as an addition):

http://www.protege5.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33533

lot of good info there. however, hiboost uses a ball bearing turbo, which everyone has different opinions on. supposedly its a wicked kit. i just dont have the extra 1400 bucks.

 

[renaissance]

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for the reply.

What are the differences between a 'ball bearing turbo' and non 'ball bearing turbo' turbo?

Also will I need to upgrade the brakes and suspension? I have the ABS option, will that be effected if I upgrade?

 

[Matthew]

gee, let me try to educate you (like the blind leading the blind).

ive been told ball bearing spool up quicker, but im really not sure. my friend swears a ball bearing would last longer, but im not sure if he knows wtf hes talkin about. better get some better opinions in here.

 

[wscottl]

Don't forget....

I would also reccomend the kits from Flyin Miata/Protege. Bill has worked with Corkey Bell since the early 90's on turbo kits for the Miata. No personal experience with their Protege stuff, but I'm sure it's first rate. Customer service doesn't get any better than these guys.

I don't see a lot of talk about their stuff on this board, just wanted to let you know of another option. BTW if you don't have Corkey's https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned) , it's a must read for turbo users.

 

[Vulcanon]

I heard the FM kit had issues over 6psi...something to keep in mind

 

[Matthew]

i like the fact that spool is always online to answer questions. you can see he answered all the questions i asked in that thread. i figure if i get his kit and am having probs installing it, ill just post a thread and get help that way.

 

[1sty]

I heard the FM kit had issues over 6psi...something to keep in mind

No tthe kit, the car.

With 91 octane the P5 will knock over 6 PSI in some codition. The MP3 will at more tehn 5 on the same gas. Thats not Fly proteges fault.

If you want to run the most relible turbo then thats definitly the Flyin Protege one, however thats also the least powerful.

Spools system is cool becuase it can be upgraded.

Hiboost is awsome for the engine management that comes with it and can put up higher numbers then the others for the $$$.

Wagnor Motor Sports and Modern Perfomance Also have kits with piggy backs or management systems available.

 

[70]

Flyin' Protege is the best...

Based on what they have done with the Miata it is only a matter of time before they do the same with the Protege.

The FP kit is rock solid. Yes, it uses less boost than others but still makes good power for what it does. And it is dead reliable.

I stand with them on their stuff. I only wish they could devote more time to Protege development. Miata business is through the roof over there and they need adapter plates for the dyno.

After that it's on!

 

[FC3s Boy]

I would go with the Hi boost just for the extra power and the smoothness of it's power curve. Have'nt seen the spool kit so I can't comment on it. The FP kit seems a little weak for my taste from the kit's I have seen it uses a crude fuel magement and the power was far less than the Hi boost. Juan from Hi boost is a great guy and has been tweaking the 2.0l for years.

 

[renaissance]

Thanks for all the info. I am going to go go with the HiBoost turbo kit and keep you all informed with the results.

 

[Esteban Toledo]

I believe that flyin' protege's ( www.flyinprotege.com ) system is the only system that retains both cats. I may be wrong. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[mushi]

Anyone know if running at 5 psi with intercooler will still have a chance of knocking on GOLD Gas. I am in canada, so not sure if it is 91 or lower..

 

[02p5]

Gold gas in Shell right? I believe that is 91 octane. I run 6 psi and run Chevron 92 with no probs.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Anyone know if running at 5 psi with intercooler will still have a chance of knocking on GOLD Gas. I am in canada, so not sure if it is 91 or lower..

depends on the type of car you have. if you have an mp3, you will need to resolve timing issues by swapping the ecu or going with engine management before you can even worry about octane levels.

if "gold" is the best kind of gas you have, i would think it would be at least 91 octane. best way i would guess is to ask the filling station. I've never seen premium gas between New York and Utah less than 91.

 

[02p5]

I believe that flyin' protege's ( www.flyinprotege.com ) system is the only system that retains both cats. I may be wrong. Just something to keep in mind.

That is correct. That is one of the biggest things I liked about this kit so I can pass emmisions tests and if I'm correct they are trying to get CARB approval soon.

 

[renaissance]

I believe that flyin' protege's ( www.flyinprotege.com ) system is the only system that retains both cats. I may be wrong. Just something to keep in mind.

Thanks for that, but being in Florida we do not have any emissions test anymore!

 

[70]

depends on the type of car you have. if you have an mp3, you will need to resolve timing issues by swapping the ecu or going with engine management before you can even worry about octane levels.

if "gold" is the best kind of gas you have, i would think it would be at least 91 octane. best way i would guess is to ask the filling station. I've never seen premium gas between New York and Utah less than 91.

At 5 psi on MP3 running 91 shouldn't be a big issue. I am ~5.5-6 and hear knock and 5000 rpm and above.

 

[70]

I would go with the Hi boost just for the extra power and the smoothness of it's power curve. Have'nt seen the spool kit so I can't comment on it. The FP kit seems a little weak for my taste from the kit's I have seen it uses a crude fuel magement and the power was far less than the Hi boost. Juan from Hi boost is a great guy and has been tweaking the 2.0l for years.

The fuel management is perfectly fine for 6 psi on a Protege 5. The exact same fuel management handles 8psi on a Miata just fine.

The reason HiBoost has to go the way it has to deal with fuel is because there is no other way to run that much boost.

Like I say, once FP gets on it again, we'll see what they can do.