I dont know who all would be interested in following such a test, but I thought about putting a really cheap Ebay brand turbo kit together and seeing how it goes. Would anyone be willing to listen to the results, or am I going to be bashed to death for even suggesting it? Of course, some stuff cant be provided by Ebay, and some I will purchase else where even here from users (thats a hint!). I will drive the car with these off brand performance parts till either the turbo fails, the engine fails and we will see how long it all lasts.
The engine will be stock bottom end, running 8psi. The engine isnt really a keeper. Nice cavalier that Iv had for awhile but it is replaceable. Its got a 2200, and its a 1998. Been well serviced by me since 80,000 miles but now has 121,000+ miles. If all else fails, ill drop a ecotec in it afterwards lol.
I dont know, anyone want to know how it turns out? Or will it be a waste of my time. Im just experimenting.
----------------------------------------------------------------
www.bradsairsoft.com
It will be a waste of your time IMO
FORGET GIRLS GONE WILD WE HAVE GOVERNMENT SPENDING GONE WILD!
Well, those are the responses that I dont really want. As that isnt going to help anybody else.
----------------------------------------------------------------
www.bradsairsoft.com
Why would u wanna put a cheap no name turbo kit on your car?It doesnt make sense to me.If your gonna do it,do it right.
Peter
'06 Cobalt ss/sc W/G85 Package
Gm Stage II W/2.79" Pulley
K&N Drop In Filter
Custom Magnaflow Dual Exhaust
I think you are really under-estimating the amount of money you're going to need to spend in the end. It's not like you can just buy the stuff from ebay and install it, you're going to need countless other parts and the total just keeps adding up and adding up. Take it from me, if youre considering going turbo, just do it right the first time.
If you want to take chances be my guest, but I don't think it's a justified reason for buying cheap parts.
" To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous. "
no lie, there is a few civic hatches locally that are running the full xs power ebay setups into the 11's and 12's somehow. I guess some works decent, but just like anything else, your taking chances at a half a$s product.
I say go for it. You seem to know the fact that these parts don't have a good reputation and you're willing risk your car, so why not?
The cast manifolds i've seen on ebay actually look pretty damn nice for their price.
The intercoolers are almost always oversized in these kits so i'm sure it'll do the job. I'm sure they aren't very well made or the most efficient design but i doubt you'll pop one at the low boost pressures you'll be running.
The charge pipes i'm sure will be just fine, although i am sure you'll need to cut/mod them to make them actually fit.
The rest of the parts like the turbo, wastegate, bov, ect. are where you may have problems but who knows.
Good luck!
- 93 mph in the 1/8 mile
Member of J-Body Of Michigan.
If you want to, go for it. I'm piecing mine together myself using a few parts I purchased off of ebay (my saab turbo is and my manifold and oil lines).
_________________________
Wait a minute. You asked for opinions and then said opinons like mine were not what what you wanted! I will make sure I only tell you what you want to hear from now on OK
As much as try to make it sound like it is no big deal and the car is replaceable and you will just drop in an ecotec ... If money was not that big of a deal you would not be contemplating this cheap turbo setup and trying to make it look like it is all just a "test"
Anyway I was trying to save yoyu from the frustration and expense of constant problems that are avoidable.
FORGET GIRLS GONE WILD WE HAVE GOVERNMENT SPENDING GONE WILD!
You could prolly get away with it for awhile... Your turbo might blow its seals/bearings early on, but they are easy enough to rebuild. Knock-off W/Gs have a higher tendency to fail so it could allow the boost to spike. But if you aren't worried about the engine, than go for it. I'm using a inter cooler pipe kit that I got off eBay, the only problem with it was the hose clamps weren't strong enough so i upgraded to T-bolt clamps and it holds the boost no problem now.
If you don't mind spending the money on it with knowing that it could all fail - than go for it, id be curious to see how it works out for you. a
Wade Jarvis wrote:If money was not that big of a deal you would not be contemplating this cheap turbo setup and trying to make it look like it is all just a "test"
Agreed. It sounds like he's just trying to justify a future "Check out my new eBay turbo kit" thread to us.
fortune cookie say: better a delay than a disaster
A friend of mine went 13.1 on snow tires @116mph w/ an ebay turbo kit. I think longevity is the only thing that is really in quesiton when buying "ebay turbos". He's had to replace the turbo a couple times because something keeps going wrong. I told him to just get a gt35 or something along those lines, but I think he's only spending like $200 or something along those lines. I dunno, imo buy the good stuff once, instead of crap multiple times.
---------------------------------------------------
4 Cams...32 Valves...5 Liters...This Could Get Fun!
It is not a bad idea if done right. When I say right I mean shop around. Depending on what exactly you want in looks and performance you can get alot of it from ebay. Also there is many good sites online as well to get nice mandrel bent piping, t-clamps etc... I know many people running ebay turbo's and no issues. At the same time you can usually pick up a used turbo locally for good prices when people upgrade, or blow there stuff up and needing money. Putting a no name kit together is not hard, just shop around.
FU Tuning
I've done the ebay turbo kit....... kinda. If you know what to look for you can do it without blowing things up. I got my fuel management, fmic, piping, bov and alot of other little things from ebay. I bought a garrett turbo so I don't know if thats considered cheap. All this is on a 98 2200 engine with about 165,000 miles on it. Just do research and have fun, just remember engines are only like 500 or less if you blow it up!!!
purplhaze wrote:I've done the ebay turbo kit....... kinda. If you know what to look for you can do it without blowing things up. I got my fuel management, fmic, piping, bov and alot of other little things from ebay. I bought a garrett turbo so I don't know if thats considered cheap. All this is on a 98 2200 engine with about 165,000 miles on it. Just do research and have fun, just remember engines are only like 500 or less if you blow it up!!!
I kinda think the whole point of this is not to use a Garrett turbo and use a cheap ebay no brand one and see how it goes.
- 93 mph in the 1/8 mile
Member of J-Body Of Michigan.
Well my car has the ebay turbo and has for 3 years now. 15psi and no problems. 2200. the only thing is i only have the t3 and im over spooling it so i had to replace the turbo after 3 years. i have an ebay intercooler and i never see over 105 in 90 degree heat. i want to get a hybrid but i need the j-tuners manifold so i dont have to cut the rad support. so i had to get another t3. just waitin on rdfabs
DRIVE HARD OR DONT DRIVE AT ALL!!!
There is a guy within 40 miles of where I live that I know for a fact uses an Ebay turbo on his 4 door civic. He's ran 12.3, and the turbo is starting to smoke because the seals are going out... after 2 years and over 150 passes plus harsh street use.
Currently #4 in Ecotec Forced Induction horsepower ratings. 505.8 WHP 414WTQ!!!
Currently 3rd quickest Ecotec on the .org - 10.949 @ 131.50 MPH!!!
I origionally bought the E-bay special for my car.....Ended up parting it out. The kid I sold the turbo to runs 25+ psi all day long, and beats the living piss out of it and has no problems...
I didn't want to risk it, so instead I used ebay to buy name brand parts like Tial & Greddy and payed out the butt for my Garrett GT3071R
and CAVI.DEMON...RDFabs is just about ready with those mani's from what I understand it is a matter of days/a week or so.
Personally I would NOT do this, since I think the problem with the E-bay parts is consistancy....you MAY get a sweet turbo that lasts forever one time, or you MAY get one that blows its seals 5 miles down the road....I think it is not really a test on the kits themselves, as they have been proven to bolt up & work....its more of a gamble of luck.
I would still read the thread if you posted it though....
Its not really the turbo that will mess up, its the cheap wastegate and bov that will mess things up.
My friend with a civic ek gutted run mid 11's all day with a xs power ebay turbo kit..
My CarDomain!!! ---
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2543660
Lefix wrote:Its not really the turbo that will mess up, its the cheap wastegate and bov that will mess things up.
My friend with a civic ek gutted run mid 11's all day with a xs power ebay turbo kit..
I've had the XS Turbo/SSAutochrome wastegate on my car at 7psi for the past 2 years without any problems whatsoever
_________________________________________
450WHP Turbo Ecotec swap in the works...
My brother built his entire turbo kit from ebay stuff for $1200. Hes been running it for two years now and it runs in the 13s. Its his daily driver with walmart tires too non the less. Even his fuel Mods are Ace hardware concoctions right down to a screen door spring on the wastegate. I give him tons of crap but he still has MANY 13 second slips and by far wins first place in Jbody junk yard wars, lol. Not my style by any stretch of the imagination but cant help but respect it and I say GO FOR IT.
ASE Master Certified Automotive Technician
Definately try it!!!! Just because there are better quality and more reputable turbo's out there, doesn't mean that E-bay turbo's can't work well. I know countless people that have blown the seal's out of "premium" turbo's as well. The biggest issue with the E-bay turbo's is balancing, I don't think the same amount of care and effort is put into ensuring that these turbo's are balanced to perfection. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Good luck.
I also say go for it. It will get you up and running sooner, and you'll learn a lot about how to diagnose turbo problems if they happen. I am not sure if i'd recommend it for a daily driver though..
i have a project sunfire i want to turbo, and i might do it just to get off the ground
i can always replace things down the road if they don't last.
Im going to attempt to use a ebay turbo every thing else name brand because i am willing to spend $300 to see if its as good as a $700 turbo anyone using ebay turbos?
