|
LAST EDITED ON 12-Nov-01 AT 02:46 PM (PST) Yeah, I'm just about to hit my 20k mile anniversary with the turbo (and stock bottom end). For about 13k miles, I've been stage 2 with the lil ole' starion IC. I'd say for most of those stage 2 miles, I've been where Jeff is, as far as boost amount, and that's at 7-7.5 lbs. of boost.
Like others have said, I open my hood at least 3 times a week, check the oil, look at the fuel pressure, and change the plugs about every oil change. Fortunately, the only leak I can speak of is a slight oil condensation issue at the turbo drain line. I also get blow-by on some occassions. Otherwise, the car seems strong as ever, and running the car hard is a religion.
Sometimes I really do wish she'll blow so I can get a forged bottom end, and take my car tot he next level. It just seems that it's not going to happen. Every time I jump on her (even this morning as I took her to the dealership for the ball joint recall) she roared as willingly as ever as I boosted down the parkway.
I honestly think that if you keep the boost "conservative" and watch out for fuel problems in gremlin FCD's or FPR's, you can go indefinitely with a healthy engine. It always seems that there is some accountable mistake that's human-related when a blow-up happens. _Almost_ every time. (i.e. the over boost of Ray's car, the over boost of Wyatt's car, seemingly constant overboosting in BIG Garrett turbos to 10 lbs, the spun rod bearings of many other people due to oil starvation...etc.)
I honestly believe that blow ups occur almost exclusivly to people who have limited knowledge about turbosytems, people who've intentionally overboosted or occur to people who admitted they've overlooked something really obvious. I get very concerned about some people who've asked me, what I think, are very simplistic questions about these turbosytems and then do some substantial modifications to the system.
This to me is my advice to someone who is considering an install: If you didn't install the system yourself, and don't have a very keen understanding of all of its components and how they work, don't touch anything without someone who does. Otherwise, sometimes, bad shit just happens...
But we all have our own opinions and observations. I just really liked that post a long time ago from Stan that basically said, if you start adding high HP mods to your car, you better be ready for the risks attributed to those mods and not cry when they happen.
Jason 98' Eagle Talon ESi-T Mitsu Super 16g Turbo(HRC)/Custom FMIC
 http://springfielddsm.homestead.com/JasonsPics.html
_____________________________________ Jason ESi-T
04' BMW 325Ci 91' Nissan 240SX 98' Eagle Talon ESi (sold)
|