Upgrading t25 turbo sr20

[demi.colwell]

Hey guys. I am getting some pretty heavy smoke when I idle for a minute or so in my red top sr20. I suspect either the turbo is going out or the valve stem seals. I have been wanting a bigger turbo anyway so I figured I would replace it. What would fit with the stock manifold in the low mount position? When purchasing what do I look for? Buying a brand new garrett for like 800 dollars or so is a bit out of my budget right now so I will have to either find something used or a cheap ebay. I'm just worried about buying something that won't fit and having my car torn apart and a useless turbo sitting around.

[angel mkiv]

Don't buy cheap eBay crap! Get a used s15 t28 turbo and some clocking adapters,z32 maf and bigger injectors.. And a rs Enthalpy tune to make everything work!

[angel mkiv]

That is assuming you have a front mount intercooler, bigger fuel pump, exhaust, ect..that basic setup should get you around 300rwhp safely..

[l adam l]

Don't buy cheap eBay crap! Get a used s15 t28 turbo and some clocking adapters,z32 maf and bigger injectors.. And a rs Enthalpy tune to make everything work!

^^^this. Spend the $50 to rebuild your t25 and roll around on that till you can afford a better turbo and supporting mods.

[demi.colwell]

Atm it does have a 255 fuel pump and a turbo back exhaust. As far as fuel injectors go they are known. I kind of assumed with my first tune the tuner may be able to help me out on what to do next. Maybe even see if my injectors are supplying enough fuel and so on. I do have a front mount intercooler. The turbo is low mount also. I do wonder if the stock ecu is tunable. Buying the car pre-built I'm trying to figure out what all has been done already and what I need to do next.

[l adam l]

Stock Ecu isn't tunable. You can send it out and have it rom tuned for whatever you want to do to it. Or you can run piggybacks.

[demi.colwell]

A piggyback would probably be more of an option since this car is my daily. I tried to rebuild the t25 and it failed I think I bent the shaft on it. So I bought myself a Gt2871r. It took quite a while to get it in but it's in and at least idles. I have a major oil leak from an oil feed line I have to sort though. How does a piggyback work and how hard is it to install? Also what would you suggest getting?

[l adam l]

safc 2 maybe?? i'd recommend a rom tune though, jwt does it i believe or the rs Enthalpy tune is a better option. especially if you're going to take it to the track. i have my rb20det on a toggle tune ecu and its pretty sweet. run it on stock and 13psi.