How cheap can I turbo my car?

[SLO78U]

put a turbo on it already you poof.

worry about the box later.

[HoonBoy]

Just saw some side draft delortos and manifold for sale for much less then a turbo, very tempting.

[JZK25]

Tempting if you want to get beaten by an aging triton ute with a front cut on the back at the lights.

[HoonBoy]

I really need some reliability, it's been a long time since I have been able to finish a race day with an intact car. Short of doing a gearbox conversion, I can't see a turbo helping. It would be fun whilst it lasted but if that is only a few laps after a 3 hour tow to wakefield, then it's not a fun day.

[HoonBoy]

Whilst it may look like I have made up my mind, I'm trying to work out how much reliability I would lose with the turbo and the stock gearbox. Engine, diff and brakes will all be fine and are overkill with the current power level.

[Galantman]

what 5spd is it, a factory 5spd? i'm not 100% if these are the same as the sigma 5spd, if they are. just treat it nice and you wont have a problem. if they are different in the casings, then you will have the same issue as the 4spd which will be cracking the case in half, NOT GOOD!!! i have done this you will have 4th gear to get home, if you live close by!

[CussCuss]

take the boost down if you are worried about the gearbox. Once you have a better gearbox you can put the boost back up for $0.

[lysdexia]

On the topic of turbo choice, i think an RB20DET turbo will be far too small on an astron. the thing is out of puff by 6000rpm on the highly strung 2L it comes off, i'd hate to see how it doesn't perform on something like an astron. An R33 turbo could be more suited to it, or even a VG30DET turbo if you wanted to rev it that little bit harder.

the bonus with the r33 turbo is that it only has a 5psi actuator on it, would mean you can keep the boost down easily to preserve those gearboxes..

[HoonBoy]

what 5spd is it, a factory 5spd? i'm not 100% if these are the same as the sigma 5spd, if they are. just treat it nice and you wont have a problem. if they are different in the casings, then you will have the same issue as the 4spd which will be cracking the case in half, NOT GOOD!!! i have done this you will have 4th gear to get home, if you live close by!

It's a narrow block 5 speed, similar to the wide block 5 speed but not as strong. I have a wide block 5 speed here, but that would mean changing the block, clutch and tailshaft.

[GAZ914]

It's a narrow block 5 speed, similar to the wide block 5 speed but not as strong. I have a wide block 5 speed here, but that would mean changing the block, clutch and tailshaft.

technically you could keep the clutch (keep current flywheel)

I reckon the 'box will live behind a mild 2.6T.

Only problem I see is the urge to have more powa :w:

cheers
Gaz

[HoonBoy]

technically you could keep the clutch (keep current flywheel)

I thought the splines were different and the starter motor wouldn't make contact with the flywheel.

I reckon the 'box will live behind a mild 2.6T.

Maybe...

Only problem I see is the urge to have more powa :w:

... maybe the gearbox wouldn't last...

P.S. you should keep on eye on this

[Galantman]

ok, this has been debated to death on Sigma-galant. and from last count the consensus was that the Borgwarner box is Shit and should be avoided at all costs. the Jap 5psd boxes are the same internally untill the "wide gear" sets started being used ( numerous different shifter locations ), also known as the Starion box. the bellhousing description of Wide and Narrow has no influence over what Gearset maybe inside the box, just what Block it will bolt to. the clutch plates are definently different between the BW and Jap boxes, not sure about between the 2 different jap boxes. if there is a difference, i would safely assume the bigger input shaft would be a Wide gear set box. i ran a narrow gearset 5spd for many years of enthusiastic street driving and about 3 seasons of 13 sec runs at the drags with the only ( gearbox) issue being pushing 5th gear past the holding power of the circip that retains it in place on the mainshaft ( fairly easy fix anyway) but i bit the bullet and went for a Toyota box after changing from a 2lt t04 to 2.6 GT3040. you shouldnt have to worry about the gearbox

[HoonBoy]

I don't put much faith in the arguments on sigma-galant, I only speak from my experiences. I've got wide and narrow block 5 speeds sitting here and they have different output shafts sizes, I really should pull them apart one day to prove the differences, but that requires more effort then I am willing to make!

The borgwarner link was for Gaz who has one in his Galant, no way I would use one again.

[Galantman]

ok, easy way to tell what gearset each 1 has, rip the inspection plate off the bottom and look as the width of the gears on the lay shft that are staring you in the face. i've never come across a bigger output shaft before, and ive had both sized gearset gearboxes. again both had the same input shaft aswell though

[GAZ914]

the starter motor wouldn't make contact with the flywheel.

You may well be right - dammit

P.S. you should keep on eye on this

I already have another BW one here plus I have a Starion one that would be a better choice if the current one expires...

Back on topic - I want to see how it works before I do it

cheers
Gaz