sohc turbo build?

[Kaldar142]

i left the 240 scene over a year ago and switched over to subarus... built a 360whp 11sec WRX, blew the motor.. building a 35R 450whp setup now. so i'm not looking for a big hp crazy build, just a fun little car.

since my WRX is down, i'm looking into a CHEAP project. i've had a 1990 240sx sitting in a warehouse for a LONG time... its in pretty decent shape actually and a perfect guinea pig for me to play with :naughtyd:

when i had my 240, i went straight to SR... but now i'm looking into a cheap DIY turbo setup for my SOHC.

i want to keep it as cheap as possible but also reliable, 180 to 200whp is perfect... i don't need an incredibly fast car for a DD. i would love to keep it around 500-600$ if possible, i will be most likely buying everything used (and abused).

now i'm not really too sure where to start, all the things i found from searching are for the DOHC.

am i wasting my time trying to piece together a turbo kit for a sohc only to have it blow a couple weeks later?:rolleyes:


anyways, could someone point me in the right direction to having a cheap, DIY turbo setup for my SOHC. i'm not looking for high HP numbers, just a fun little car on a BUDGET.


Thanks in advance,

-Joe

[SochBAT]

Coool!

Check out the Tech Section, its a stickie. Written by a handsome gent too.

IAP or Gladman Manifold (Or just a Log manifold if you're pinching pennies)
FC injectors
SMIC
UEGO for tuning
Z31 Turbo

INSTANT FUN!

[boozels]

i want to keep it as cheap as possible but also reliable,

That is an oxymoron

Sohc's get no love.
Not worth the though imo.

But i do know that there was a vendor on here that was sellin a kit for the sohc a while back

Do a search you should find it.

[SochBAT]

PS. Make sure you've got good numbers all around before trying. Shitty compression = failtown.

[Kaldar142]

of course, i'm going to do a compression test before i even buy anything... yes i know cheap and reliable should never be in the same sentence... but lets make the best of it :)


if the numbers turn out good, i'm eager to start this project

[SoguRacing]

you should have done a compression test before you posted this thread. Don't want to get your hopes up

[[email protected]]

do it!! Sohc ka-t ftw!!
It will be my inspiration to boost my rebuilt sohc haha

[undesiredshoe]

Yes, sohcs rule. Im boosting my completely stock sohc with 188k miles at 10 psi with a turbonetics t3/t4 and its running great. Once i get 1000cc injectors, im gonna try to push 20 psi out of it, just for shits and giggles.

You can build a cheap sohc setup for cheap, the hard part is finding a manifold.

[e1_griego]

If you're doing alllll the fab work yourself, $500-600 *might* be feasible. A used gladman mani still runs like $150-200, oil lines are ~$80, turbo can be had for free-$200, and then you have to fab up the dp and ic piping. I really don't think it's realistic to do it all for $600.

Having done a built sohc-t (and now driving an SR) I say get the SR and save the hassle.

[ericcastro]

Yeah, manifold is the tough part. But log mani's are inexpensive and fine for lower boost. and used there even cheaper :)
I got a rebuilt SOHC im gonna turbo over this year.
SOHC are really great engines, they just get a bad name. But my rebuild owns every DOHC I come against :)

And once I get it to 200hp turbo'd, I should beat all the SR guys too, and have the torque ;)

[e1_griego]

You keep thinkin' that.

The problem with sohc-t is that while torque is most assuredly plentiful, it's hard to get them to make hp because the head doesn't flow so hot. My motor made 230/280 (with a clogged cat, I found out later), but the torque just falls off a lot. Granted it was just a street tune (that was too safe), but I've seen other dyno sheets that indicate similar results.

HP and revs are more fun to drive, though I do miss the torque.

[ericcastro]

^for me though, I'm not looking for more than 210Hp out of it. And I want the low end torque for the clutch kicks after shifting, since its for drifting.

I may be driving a car built by a different company in a year. And if that doesnt work out, I will most likely go much bigger than SR20.

[e1_griego]

Yeah yeah, i gotcha. I'm just saying. Sohc-t seems like a not-bad idea, just in my experience it's not worth the hassle.

SR is easy and mine has been trouble-free. Sohc-t tends not to be.

I learned a lot doing it, but I will never na+t a motor again.

[ericcastro]

i had to rebuild my SOHC right after I got it so i could get to work. I threw a rod about 3 months after purchase.
So I have a perfect engine with no probs, So that helps alot! :) So it makes sense to turbo it money wise.
But i also would be scared to drop a SR into car without rebuild. The engine is just as old and abused as a KA.

But for the Op, Daily use, it should be fine and fun. And KA engines are a dime a dozen if it does go on ya :)

[rocksteady_racer]

I'm rebuilding my sohc right now. I got a cxracing turbo kit off here for cheap so I'll see how that turns out. I'm upgrading the oil lines now though since they are chincy and the turbo later. The intercooler and piping is nice and I don't mind the wastegate or blow off valve. I'm fueling it with 550cc injectors, aeromotive fpr, and a walbro 255. But if you wanted to go a little cheaper I've heard you can use rx-7 injectors. Everyone I've talked on here says it's fun and I'm building my cheap too since it's my everyday driver. Going to rebuild the motor a little built and get the head rebuilt too. I think it's a fun cheap project especially if you already have the sohc laying around.
Engine tuning is probably a concern though. I'm trying to get by with an s-afc and a btm but I've heard you need an e-manage or something else to tune it or you could reprom the chip.

[e1_griego]

Rom tune. It's so much better than safc.

For the trick setup pick up a u12 stanza ecu (because it has consult capabilities) and a consult board. While you're at it get a rom emulator and then you can real-time tune AND have map trace.

[Kaldar142]

i see, im doing the bare minimum here guys.. im talking like 180whp would be great to have, im not looking for anything too big.

i will be doing alot of the fab work myself... <3 welding, i just don't feel like fabing a manifold

i'll be using a t25, i can get one for about $70.

i'll be running low / stock boost so i wont be pushing it all.


btw, SR20 is out of the question... i'm doing this project more for fun, im not dropping a couple thousand for an SR swap. im tired of torqueless engines anyways (sr20), especially when im used to a torquey 2.5 subaru engine and low 12 second mustang.

i plan on fabbing the IC piping, exhaust, ETC.

what do you guys think would be the bare minimum for tuning?

[ericcastro]

then just get a log mani. you can get em used really cheap :)

[Kaldar142]

haha, guys ive been out of the 240 scene so long i forgot all of the other forums... anyone care to help me out so i can source out a manifold? :)

[ericcastro]

Probably KA-t.org or whatever it is. lol
thats where i do my KA research.

KA-T.org - The Home of 1000+ whp/7 sec Turbo KA's (http://www.ka-t.org/)

[SoCal-s130]

SOHC are really great engines, they just get a bad name. But my rebuild owns every DOHC I come against :)

I can vouch for this.

[fromxtor]

My SOHC that I built has recently produced close to 300whp, the head issue can be taken care of by a mild port and polish job.

[wannabe_drifter]

Just for info to add, RX7s injectors do fit pretty much right there, gotta bust a little clip i think and thats it, fits right in the connectors and in the manifold.

there's a thread about sohc-t to give you a little info
www.ka-t.org :: View topic - SOHC Turbo Build For Dummies (http://www.ka-t.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5597)

[s13dan]

I looked into it a while back.. There are plenty of upper 200hp SOHC turbo cars out there.. Hell i have never seen a SOHC tubo build that wasnt a DIY on a budget...They make great tourqe numbers too.

[ManoNegra]

my first S13 was sohc and had over 200k miles on it,
and still one of the most reliable ones out of the 5 S-chassis I've owned
sound like fun, good luck

[SochBAT]

Rebuilt SOHC's are retardedly amazing. Its true, they do get a bad rep from tons of people that don't know any better.

Rebuild it, throw on a crank pulley.

FC injectors are seriously more than enough. Log manis' are RETARDED cheap.

[Kaldar142]

hmm... anyone want to help me source all the necessary parts needed to rebuild a SOHC? i may consider this option if it isnt too expensive

[WISH ONE]

message otis performance/rb performance, he has a decent turbo kit for Sohc for sale, used.

[SochBAT]

JWT rebuild kits!

[Kaldar142]

well, i'll find out tomorrow if the build is worth it or not...

if it is, this will be my thread for it :)

tons of fabrication and custom work, on a very low budget... should be fun

[Kaldar142]

Well, got halfway through a compression test before my starter took a dump on me LOL

cylinders 1 & 2 were both 140.

i will be replacing the starter tomorrow and finishing... if everything looks OK then i will begin the build the same day:

i will be fabricating a 3" exhaust to a 3" twintip exhaust first, removing all the emissions BS and doing a tune-up on the car.

i will be doing a DIY satin black paintjob on the car, new shift boot, plast dip my interior pieces black (faded) and restoring the headliner too.

i have a spare set of seats i'm going to fabricate to fit into my S13 also, along with electric fans.

right now i'm deciding between J30 LSD or a welded diff, the car will be street driven but not babied whatsoever, ive recently had a great interest in drifting again also... so if anyone wants to give some input as to which LSD they like better i'm all ears :)

for the turbo setup i'm doing a custom fit FMIC, T25 turbo, log manifold, fc injectors and all necessary oil/coolant lines.... and maybe a walbro?

If i sell my civic next week, that will allow me some more spending $$$ on this car, maybe some 16" mesh wheels? :D


still deciding on my engine management / fuel management

[majuljo]

rb-performance.net talk to otis. he sells a kit.

[SochBAT]

Welded. Cheap, no breakin, never will give out on you ever.

[Kaldar142]

AHHHHHHH

240s are so annoying, hahaha... now my starter relay is out :( kind of put things on hold;

later this week if my civic sells i will be getting the manifold, turbo, injectors and a bunch of other misc. items.

over the course of these next couple weeks i am going to be doing a crucial clean up of the car, i will be taking it into my shop and degreasing the whole underside and engine bay and powerwashing it.

bodywork starts next week too, i already have all the supplies so no cost there :)

[Kaldar142]

hey guys, what are the best options for tuning for a tight budget?

im thinking a used safc... ?

[SochBAT]

UEGO Wideband and SAFC II

[Kaldar142]

ok cool, i've been trying to find myself a used safc2 for cheap...

also, what do you guys think about going 5lug? what would be the most cost effective way to do this

[undesiredshoe]

You'll regret buying the SAFC....get a chipped stanza ecu with consult datalogging capabilities. Controls everything, fuel, timing, can control efans, meth injection, etc. Do it.

I have a chipped stanza ecu if you are interested.

[CIutchCollidE]

rb-performance.net talk to otis. he sells a kit.

Kit for what exactly?

[[email protected]]

Kit for what exactly?

i think its the cxracing turbo kit for the single cam

[ericcastro]

also, what do you guys think about going 5lug? what would be the most cost effective way to do this

the only reason I would do this is because i had a car running large amounts of HP and had a really strong drive train, leaving lugs as a weak point.
Or
looking for better rim options.

So your gonna spend a few hundred easy upgrading to 5 lug, just to spend more on rims.

Not nessesarily a bad thing, just letting you know. I most likely will be doing when i start my car rebuild.

there is the cheap, redrilling hubs way, but i just dont trust it for the abuse i put my car through drifting.

[s13dan]

My Home Page (http://home.att.net/~MabuhayCarlos/TurboStory.html)

This guy did it right

[Kaldar142]

hmmm, i think i might stay away from the 5 lug for now especially considering this is a diy budget build

[KingKong8247]

hey guys, what are the best options for tuning for a tight budget?

im thinking a used safc... ?

Import Intelligence, they will chip your ecu and tune it nicely.

[aziankingz]

anyone who runs a ka24et with dsm 450cc injectors; did you need to splice in the dsm pigtails or would the ka24e's stock connectors/pigtails connect to the dsm injectors? also.. anyone know if you need to bore out the fuel rail to fit these dsm injectors in? usually i would go to ka-t, but their site is down for some reason..

[Kaldar142]

another question before i make my exhaust guys;

as of right now, i am only aiming for 180-220whp aslong as its somewhere in there i will be HAPPY :)

BUT, later down the line once my WRX is back on the road and all finished, i'll be looking at another project... the S13. So in the future i may be aiming for 300whp.

Now my question is, should i go 2.5" or 3" exhaust piping?

i have 2.5" readily available at no cost to me. Or would 3" really make a difference, especially at these lower power levels?

[Kaldar142]

all compression numbers are 140+, yay!

except now, there seems to be a ticking / clicking noise coming from the engine.

its fairly audible from outside the car with the hood closed... any ideas???

only things i messed with were the starter and spark plugs / distributor.

in order to start the car though i have to have the key to the on position and run a wire directly from the starter ignition to the positive terminal on the battery, lol

[timtiminy]

the ticking might be your lifters. you can bleed them if need be

[Kaldar142]

how would i go about bleeding them and will that solve the ticking?

[ericcastro]

change your oil. check it for flakes. yada yada.

The clicking is probably from the lifters. They are hydrolic and cant be adjusted like a L series engine :) Does the ticking stop after the car gets warmed up? (once the oil has made its way up into the head good)

could also be that timing chain rattle you hear about?

Drive the car for a couple days, and if it gets worse, then its rod knock, lol .

Very good on your compression test.
Im gonna be a few months behind you on a turbo build on my SOHC. looking for the same HP too, so your kinda my model for what to do, lol.

[Kaldar142]

hahaha... its making the same noise that my WRX made before it spun a bearing =O!

oh well, i wont be losing anything if it takes a dump on me LOL

[Kaldar142]

ill seafoam the engine and change the oil in it just to see what happens

[SochBAT]

MakotoS13/Doug has a REALLY nice KAET setup. Check it out.

What i did to my lifters when they were ticking was removing my valve cover and straight pouring Lucas/Motorpurr on em. It shut em up good.

[Kaldar142]

motorpurr?

[Crazian609]

WELDED DIFF IS THE WAY TO GO!!!

Screw spending 600+ for LSD.... If you dont mind grabbing attention by chirping tires in parking lots XD... You can spend that 600+ on tires... LSD = Some Lag... Welded = Breaks Loose Instantly

[Kaldar142]

lol... well um the ticking went away after i finished degreasing my engine LOL

also... every single valve cover bolt was finger lose, like WTF

[ka24et]

I have my turbo setup for sale. High Temp Black Ceramic coated CAST IRON manifold (from Z18ET) mated to a T3 from a Z31. Was used successfully on my SOHC for a long time. Low boost setup that's not intercooled, I also have the charge pipe that will connect the turbo straight into the intake (runs in a path similar to the OEM intake piping). Do a search on FreshAlloy for "Z18ET" and you'll see the setup mentioned in archived posts I believe. It's been a while since I've been on FA though. This manifold has been used by others to produce huge amounts of power.

Turbo bearings are smooth and non-leaking AFAIK.

You're going to need FMU, and a upgraded fuel pump, boost guage, etc, etc, etc. to finish the project. (seems like you already know what you need).

If you're interested, I'll sell you the setup (manny, turbo, charge pipe) for $500 shipped. pics can be provided only if seriously interested.