924_nick

I've read a bunch of FAQ's, but I want some experienced opinions, not just stats and specs. I'm building a custom turbo setup on my 94 miata (1.8 liter) and I'm shooting for 180-200 whp with a strong powerband from 3000 to 6500rpm. I'm using a Jackson Racing powercard and a Bipes timing control unit. Affordability is important - which turbo would you recommend? Here's some ideas - TD04 from a WRX, TD04hl 15G from a later Volvo, T25 from a 2G eclipse (I like the sweep of the coldside compressor for packaging reasons), T28 from a silvia, maybe a Tdo4 from a Saab... Please give me your experience (no theory opinions, please. I can guess for myself, I need info from someone who's used or driven these) and describe how they worked. Thanks.
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SpankedYA!

.42/.48 T3 from a Saab or a Volvo sounds like it would suit your needs.

BLAAST

Yeah, either that or, or the 0.60/0.48 one, which will spool up just as fast, support 50 more HP, even if you don'T need that extra HP, it will make the turbo overheat less.

Equivalent and even cheaper at t he junkyard, the K24 and K26 MAy also work.

Minor Threat

I vote for a big turbo and massive, smokey RWD burnouts.

But failing that, a straight T3 would probably do you good, but please, go look up some compressor maps and learn to read them. Most of the stuff you listed is tiny and good for nothing but choking your engine with hot air.

924_nick

Thanks for the replies. BTW, I'm more interested into track days and road course than drag racing, although I will be doing a bit of that too. Are the Saab T3's watercooled? What years are the best to look for?

gt350

I have a td04hl-15g it flows just shy of 30lb min and is happy up to about 18psi at that flow it has a relatively small turbine housing which will help you keep in your powerband like your wanting it to. its in great shape and i'd sell it if you interested. now for the experience part they spool great on volvo and pull close to redline with no fit's, but thats apples to oranges. I know a guy up here who had a miata with a td04-9b that falls off up top but spools increadbily fast. still pretty quick little car. but were talking 275cfm versus 428cfm and a much larger turbine wheel and housing. he has the stock b6 and is talking about going to a bp or b6t and picking up my 15g, but he hasn't come through with any money. I think a t3 would be iffy around 3000rpms on a b6 but I could be wrong. my guess would be closer to 3600. but that also depends on your manifold, dp, exhaust ect....

sohcpwr

yep. just run a pipe from the downpipe out the back of the car. If my little 1.6 sohc cam spool a 63/60 at 3500, your engine definately can. For everyone that asks, what turbo should i use for my car, the answer is a 63/60 T3. Unless you have a b16 or H22

Minor Threat

What if they have a El Es Juan?

BLAAST

For under 250 HP, the 0.48 a/r turbine is better. The 0.63 a/r could also work but will add nothing but lag.
Compressorwise. I think we all agree!!! the 60 trim 0.60 a/r is a very appropriate one!!!

http://www.blaastperformance.com/img_prod/t3-4860.jpg

gt350

he's looking for 3000-6500 powerband from what I read 500rpm is alot when it comes to a tight road course, granted the .48 a/r turbine housing will help a little but the 60trim compressor is way overkill if he's not looking to use it's potential a 50trim would be better suited(which is what comes with the .42 compressor housing)

I just realized you have a bp engine not a b6 so i'm not sure how well the head flows on a bp as apposed to a honda. one thing you also need to take into consideration is what elevation you live at. and if your going to run a cat or not. i'm sure most of the honda guys here do not have cat's and that greatly affects lag. and are you going to run at least 2.5" exhaust? that helps considerably but 3" is ideal for at least the dp. you want no back pressure post turbo otherwise that will effect both lag and top end power. to select a turbo correctly is a very time staking task. biggest thing is what your goals are wich to me sounds like you have. 180-200whp 3000-6500 powerband track/roadrace car and with that said I would stick to a smaller turbo to keep the agility and power on demand. haveing a turbo lag untill your coming out of a corner could be bad news you need to be able to accelerate coming out of the apex of the turn not waiting for your turbo to spool up. but what do I know.