Starting my own full custom turbo build under 4k.

[rj45]

So the goal is a modest 5-6 psi using some kind of quick spooling small turbo, later I can go higher this is primarily a learning project for me not about the money. I'm not afraid to make mistakes even if it costs me an engine but would really like to avoid that

Here is what I've found that I can get a deal onThe turbo is new rest is used.)
Garret GT35R dual BB-w/o cooled 3" v-band weld on
Dual Tial 38mm MV wastegate
Synapse bov
rc 440cc injectors w impedance adapter thing from sos ( these are smaller than I wanted but for 100$ I couldn't say no )
GS Intercooler
2 HKS gauges oil pres, w/temp
Aem Wideband
waldro 255
I am going to be doing the it roughly like the pro-speed setup.

all this and enough spare steel to do two or three nsx's for 3700.

One of the main questions that would help save money is where to get the ems. I would really prefer that over FIC for later stages. There are tons of aem ems's on craigslist and ebay but I'm not sure what ones are compatible. Also looking at the infinity 8, it looks quite awesome and seems way safer from my newb eyes. I assume that the science of speed wiring harness would also only be compatible on series 2. I suppose if I could find a diagram I could wire that up myself but it looks like a terrible time but I'll do it. There is an series 8 fic available locally cheap or maybe sr5guy can flash it heh.


Missing pieces I know about:
FIC/ ems
fuel regulator?,
power setup for pump,
oil lines,
water lines,
scavenge pump

What else am I missing. Constructive criticism please.

 

[Aaron94T]

I don't see mention of an exhaust manifold which makes me think you are going "rear" mount? How about IC piping, those will be fun to make. Are you a fabricator?

 

[rj45]

Nope, I am actually a game programmer. However, I just a 160amp welder and a butt load of stainless from a guy who used to do manifolds for civics. Should be a fun project to keep me busy for years.

The complete* from scratch DIY project is now underway. Just for fun I'm going to try doing my own pipe bends with Acetylene or ice/sand bends although a good place to buy is aceStainless.com.

Any suggestions on how to get this the ultimate bang for the buck setup.

 

[kevgk]

Sounds like a fun project keep us posted even though I have no idea why you would want to risk ruining your car or having a sub par setup. The vendors on here have spent many hours of hours r and d to provide a good product that will last and they all have their price points. You will spend way more money on your mistakes than buying a full kit that has been proven. Interesting project and if I had the desire and time I would start with a 2000$ civic and blow that motor first. Just saying.

 

[racer9x]

Haha good luck and don't let the guys that think this is a sacred car scare you, have fun and think outside the box it sounds like if you blow the motor you can afford another one, have fun experimenting I'm sure you are doing a lot of educational reading and hope you have basic understanding or previous e experience of tinkering with builds of this type :smile:

 

[jorligan]

Instead of the Garrett, consider a Comp turbo which you can order with the "oil-less" option. No scavenge pump required. Will still require a water line for cooling.

 

[kevgk]

I just figured he was trying to save money or he wouldn't mention "under $4000". Everybody is entitled to be an expert if that's the path they chose. Maybe building turbo systems is way easier than I thought. Either way I wish him luck and all the best results, he is a smart guy so I'm sure everything will go smooth I shouldn't have been so cynical.

 

[dawk]

Save yourself time and money and purchase piping from Angus or Lovefab. Welding IC pipes involves a lot more than buying piping and using a 160amp welder. Save the money and do it right.

 

[Cody@LoveFab]

We might have a dyno-used-only GT35R, ypipe, and WOFI exhaust going up for sale shortly if you're interested. Good luck with the build either way, these cars are a lot more challenging than a Civic to properly, and reliably turbocharge.

 

[chussey]

Welding IC pipes involves a lot more than buying piping and using a 160amp welder. Save the money and do it right.

No, that's pretty much all there is to it. :smile:

If you want the welds to look quality enough to be on an NSX, it might take some practice through. A basic understanding of fluid dynamics wouldn't hurt either.

 

[rj45]

Save yourself time and money and purchase piping from Angus or Lovefab. Welding IC pipes involves a lot more than buying piping and using a 160amp welder. Save the money and do it right.

Challenge accepted. If it works I'll be a genius, if it doesn't I'm a complete idiot... Going to be interesting either way. What's a used engine worth these days anyway?

- - - Updated - - -

No, that's pretty much all there is to it. :smile:

If you want the welds to look quality enough to be on an NSX, it might take some practice through. A basic understanding of fluid dynamics wouldn't hurt either.

I'm thinking of doing it with mostly mild steel just for practice, get it running then build that into some kind of jig and build some nice ones to sell if it does happen to work out.

 

[LOVESHOTNSXY95]

A used nsx engine runs about 5k and up, but that's only if you can find one.

 

[Lamini]

always admire the guys going out and taking chances. /salute

ps. pics pls!

 

[Aaron94T]

I'm thinking of doing it with mostly mild steel just for practice, get it running then build that into some kind of jig and build some nice ones to sell if it does happen to work out.

There is no question it can be done as there are dozen's of different turbo NSX designs driving around. I just found the thread title to be funny as $4k is great for a parts list but is your time worth nothing? Even at a modest $50 an hour it would only take you 80 hours to equal your parts bill in labor. My guess is it will take you over 200 hours. The name brand kits charge more because you are paying for their R&D time. If you want to eat up your own time and feel that your time is worth less than the money, then you are on the right track. I am a wrencher myself and have installed numerous turbo kits and supercharger kits. These kits were not of my own design and nor would I want them to be after seeing what goes into them. IMO you will have your hands full tuning and working out the bugs on any NA-T car. Add to that the first time welding of a manifold and IC pipes and you have a receipt for a NSX that will be off the road for many moons.

 

[95navin]

We might have a dyno-used-only GT35R, ypipe, and WOFI exhaust going up for sale shortly if you're interested. Good luck with the build either way, these cars are a lot more challenging than a Civic to properly, and reliably turbocharge.

Cody If you dont mind msg me when it is up for sale.thank you

 

[senna12]

Cranking out a set of manifolds will take 8-12hrs. You have a tig or mig 160? I hope it's a tig.

What gauge stainless do people use for headers/manifolds? schedule 40?

Also need to figure out the oil return on the turbo. Coming from the supra world PTE turbos have lot of issues the turbo return has any bends in it.

 

[rj45]

Cranking out a set of manifolds will take 8-12hrs. You have a tig or mig 160? I hope it's a tig.

What gauge stainless do people use for headers/manifolds? schedule 40?

Also need to figure out the oil return on the turbo. Coming from the supra world PTE turbos have lot of issues the turbo return has any bends in it.

I've got a mig 160 yes. I'm just doing remote setup. probably roughly copying Prospeed one. I have a civic front mount intercooler which is thin and long like the Prospeed already so I will probably try that first.

 

[kookoo4nsx]

You should at least take a look at the 100+post Angus thread. Lots of pix and Q&A.

 

[rj45]

Here's the turbo connection pipe I built. I just made it out of scrap to see how hard it was. Took about three or four hours. Fits perfect and I am pretty happy with how I got all the bends in. Super happy with myself if I must say although it looks like a piece of ass, I know that.

I am not certain how easy it will be to copy this and build my full SS 304 version. It is not* easy to get it to fit. It's down to the millimeter. I would imagine even having done it once will not save me much time because the chop saw is only so accurate. You need a cold cut saw I guess.