ok just to let everyone know im new to the import world. ive been driveing mustangs and camaros for the past 5 years. ive been saveing money on the side to do one big performance upgrade but im not too familiar whith the best way to go. my car is a 98 rs with 80,000 miles on it. 5 speed. it runs real strong. now i know i want to go turbo but i dont know if i can just strap one on or if i should rebuild my engine or just get another one. i also wanted to know what you would reccomend as far as turbo kits. i do plan on putting more money into it after this but this will be all i can afford at the time. i would like to make around 300+ hp. any suggestions will be greatly appreciated
thanks

P.S. any body in the southeastern pennsylvania area.

do a compession test, if all goes well, go turbo!

I'd say rebuild first, 80K is pretty high. There's no sense in getting another 'stock' engine with lower miles in it, if you are going boost. Get the bottom end kit from Howell. The whole rebuild including labor might cost you around 3,000 bux, cheaper if you got some hookups. Hell, you can even get one of the pre-built short blocks from Howell. This way, the chances of blowing something up will lessen plus you'll get a chance to run even more boost. Good Luck.

Here's the bottom end kit
http://howell.mountain.net/sdc/howell/ProductAvail.asp?Product_ID=471

Here's the list of the short blocks
http://howell.mountain.net/sdc/howell/Talon-Elipse95-99.asp

i wont have to worry about labor cost cause my dad has been a mechanich for 25 years and my cousin owns his own shop

Then I'd say rebuild it man.

Hahn Stage 2, Howell bottom end kit, and machine shop charges. Then you'll be able to run your stage 2 w/ out just blowing it up and rebuilding anyways.

If you've got $4k to spend..

get the howell 2.2L block, prebuilt, 8.6:1 compression.

With the money left over, get the STAR stage 2. It'll be good..

Yes, rebuild kit for the bottom end and a stage two turbo kit....

dood where you live!! i live near allentown, philly close to there... email me! powerEclipses@aol.com there are 3 other 2gnters in the area let me know and we can help you spend your money, i know a guy who is a hahn dealer and he is gonna be hookin me up with a turbo and also he might do a group buy ?! he is chargin 2200 for stage one plus 350 for install and no shippin charges! heh

Hey PowerEclipses:

I emailed you about my interest in your group buy. Did you get my email? If not let me know and I'll send you another one.