Wally

Hi everyone! I'm new and researching how to do a homemade turbo. Big surprise, huh? By the way, this is going to be for a 95 Civic EX (D16Z6).

Anyway, my approach is going kind of slow because the more I read, the more confused I get and my parts list grows... I've kind of scaled back my approach to researching one part at a time so that I can fully understand each component before I move on to the next and try to decide if it's absoultely necessary. I've searched this board (and others) for most of my research and came up with a variety of questions. Sorry if any of them seem stupid... I don't have many opportunities to talk with other people about this kind of stuff or see any D16 turbos in person.

What if the turbo has an internal waste gate? Is there a way it can be adjusted or is there a preset factory setting? (I just saw the "fix" this morning... Still curious if the factory allows for any adjustment)

How can you tell what the factory wastegate setting is on any given turbo?

Is it better to have an internal waste gate or external aftermarket (or both)?

Does the DIY setup with an HF manifold/adapter plate require an internal waste gate or would you have to fabricate an inlet on top of the header?

Why do some external waste gates looks like they have two flanges?

That's it so far. Thanks!

HMT-Admin

"How can you tell what the factory wastegate setting is on any given turbo?"

Well you can get a vacuum hand pump with a gauge and pump up the wastegate to see when it starts opening, but most wastegates open from 5~9psi, Decide on which turbo you want to use, and then ask around what the wastegate opens at if its not already posted.

"Is it better to have an internal waste gate or external aftermarket (or both)?"

Internals are fine for little setups like most of us have. External gates control boost alot better IMO, hardly any boost spikes. Internals are just limited, and sometimes the exhaust housing on internal gates gets incredibly hot and makes small cracks around the wastegate flapper, and over time can leak.

"Does the DIY setup with an HF manifold/adapter plate require an internal waste gate or would you have to fabricate an inlet on top of the header?"

Yes, it is recommend because the HF manifold is Cast, and you would have to weld a elbow or flange off of it and put your external wastegate somewhere off of it. Its better to go with an internal on a budget HF manifold turbo setup.

"Why do some external waste gates looks like they have two flanges?"

2 flanges, one is where it sits on the manifold (what you mount it to, and the other is called the wastegate dump, there is where the exhaust gases go. People get flanges and weld pipes off them and normally just aim them directly to the ground or loop it back into the exhaust.



as you can see the wastegate dump tube..



It sounds alot better when you loop these pipes back together, otherwise it sounds like a wet lesbian ----- fart when the wastegate opens and its vented atmosphere.

Jeff

Wally

So there's no markings? I've only had one turbo in my hands and that was for about 30 seconds and I remember seeing some sort of badge or plate mounted to it with some serial numbers, but I really don't remember what it said....

But that only if I'm forced to use an external wastegate. If I get a turbo with the internal one, then a regular HF manifold (non-turbo) would suffice.

Do all aftermarket wastegates have the two flanges and does an internal still reroute the blowoff back into the exhaust?

turbocivic17m

So there's no markings? I've only had one turbo in my hands and that was for about 30 seconds and I remember seeing some sort of badge or plate mounted to it with some serial numbers, but I really don't remember what it said....

It is exactly that, serial numbers. some turbos will say the A/R specs on them near the exhuast manifold, but that's about it. Like jeff said, once you buy a turbo, ask on the board what the stock setting is and just about anybody can tell you.

But that only if I'm forced to use an external wastegate. If I get a turbo with the internal one, then a regular HF manifold (non-turbo) would

If you decide on buying an external wastegate then you will have to build or buy a manufactured manifold for all intesive purposes. I think I have seen somebody weld a flange to the HF manifold on this board before but you would be better off just making a new manifold.
Internal Wastegate = no flange = HF manifold can be used.

Do all aftermarket wastegates have the two flanges and does an internal still reroute the blowoff back into the exhaust?

Yes for the first part. For the second part I have no clue what the hell you are trying to ask. Maybe a little more research will help.

Wally

I could swear I've seen pics of wastegates that have only one flange... I must be mistaken...

The 2nd part was whether or not an internal wastegate would still send the exhaust gasses to the exhaust (same as what the wastegate dump on an external wastegate would do). I'm assuming it will, but I just thought I'd ask. I've had minimal exposure to turbo setups, so it's either looking at pictures on the web or trying to visualize it in my head how things would be set up and how they would work. Both of which are not as reliable as I'd like.

Thanks guys!

projekteg

yes, an internal is vented into the exhaust also, it is a small hole right above the exhause hole on the turbo and it opens into your downpipe, but you don't need a dumptube for it, in order to use an external, you block that hole off by using an exhaust flange designed for an external wastegate, i'm sure that didn't help paint a mental image, but oh well, that's the best i can explain it

Wally

That kind of makes sense... Since this is my first turbo project, I'm probably going to stick with the internal wastegate till I can get a better feel for how it works and maybe work on something a little more elaborate down the road.

Thanks for all the GREAT replies!

davcivic

The hole in the left is the flap that will open on an internal wastegate and it will go down your downpipe to the exhaust. They sell some plates where it will blick that hole and only have one for the bigger hole on the right and then you can use an external wastegate.

davcivic

Something like this, is for a different turbo but you'll get the idea. It blocks the internal wastegate and allow you to use an external gate.

found it here:

http://store.yahoo.com/cheapturbo/gart3forstyl.html

Wally

Damn... I've seen those for sale and it never made much sense until now.

I'll add that to my notes! Thanks!