I recently installed a Turbo on my S2k and I hope my word to the wise will be sufficient.

Unless you are RICH and money solves all problems, do NOT undertake building or modifying anything without researching and becoming well versed on the subject! And even then, all the money in the world wont keep the gremlins from surficing.

Ok on to the story:

In March I got an emergency call from my firend, "theres a turbo kit for the s2k in the bargan trader for half price". 2 hrs later and half of his asking price, we loaded everything into my truck as i try to figure out which friends I will recruit to help with the install.

Ok now its August and I start the install process which went rather well, as we had no instructions. Everything fits and by the second day we were ready to go for a drive. The car started quickly and drove rather well considering this kit was built using an FMU and vortec timing box and map clamp.
Of course as im going for my test drive my buddy, who grew up with Craig Paisley, called frantically" screaming dont drive the car", go home IMMEDIATLY. according to paisly I shouldnt drive it untill I install a fuel preassure gauge and use a wideband to tune it.

Ok, the hope of immediate gratification becomes nonexistant. Since my schedule changes hourly, i decided to let the car sit for a week or two and learn more about turbocharging the S2K. I spoke with wesmaster (thanks again for your help) who reminded me that turbocharging requires more tuning than a SC and the fmu sucks for the job, so i order the Emanage.

Install on the Emanage should be left to the talanted and trained as you are cutting into the factory harness. I would suggest anyone who wants to add anytype of electronics order the wireharness from Japan or canada.

Install went well and Wesmasters Maps made life a little eaiser, however, on the first drive the car went dead and stayed that way until I could round up a laptop again.

So now its dyno time, all my friends have gathered at Cartek in Davie and I produce a whopping 165 hp at the wheels and a/f ratio from 11 to 15 within 200 rpm. Something aint right. Well I burn thru 2 hrs of dyno time and call it quits. As you could imagin, I was less than happy. I call Wesmaster again who after 1 hr on the phone suggests that I buy a missing link. Great MORE $$$$$$$. His suggestion was the solution to my problem, kinda. I dont need a stinking map clamp I have an Emanage. Well 2 days later I round up a laptop, again, by now you know I dont own one.

Next Saga: Map voltage now clamped at 2.9 I head for the dyno again. Well things were getting better. 236 hp and 190fp tq. this is better, but still unacceptable and I call it quits again. Someone at the tunershop diagnosed that I had the wrong trubo and it wasnt flowing enough at 7psi. "Give me a grand for the perfect turbo and I promise youll get 320 hp". I packed up and went home for more of an education.

After a few calls to Turbonettics and some other shops, the general consensus was to turn up the boost. My turbo was rated at 390hp at 30 psi. with max efficiency at 19 psi. I had a smaller turbo than others and would need more boost to increase CFM.

Ok were up to today. I just ordered my own wideband o2 instead of spending more time on the dyno. I should be here by next friday, Im so excited. I am also building a boost controller and hope to have it finished this weekend and will update on how things are going.

Last but not least, i havent driven the car much since the last dyno day as I nailed a pothole on the way home and havent gotten an aliegnment yet. Rest assured I am aiming for 300 hp and wont stop until i get there.


As a side note, The hardest parts of the install were drilling the oilpan and laying upside down while wiring the emanage.


If anyone has any questions, pls pm me, and yes I would do it all over again

 

I'll try to make the next autocross as an observer and photographer. Also, it should be getting time again for a group dyno day.

 

this is OT but has anybody performed an engine swap, like lets say an E46 M3 engine in the S2K (of course that alone would cost $50k to be done succesfully)

 

I thought the oil pan was easy, but truer words were never spoke as far as the emanage goes.

 

Amer, make your own thread. This is for turbo installations.

 

Methanol in a cooling system made of aluminum, whether for the engine or aftercooler, is not a good combination as the meth can be corrosive.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Scott M
I call Wesmaster again who after 1 hr on the phone suggests that I buy a missing link. Great MORE $$$$$$$.

 

Ok I took a Valium, feel better now. I still want to turbocharge it though. Isnt there anybody without problems with the installation and afterwards.
By the way my friend told me that I might have to change some stuff on the turbo depending on the season. Is that true? Oh and one more, when you put a EMS like AEM's, on a car, does it command the ECU, or it replaces it basically, or bypasses it and send its own commands to the engine?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2KFI
Ok I took a Valium, feel better now. I still want to turbocharge it though. Isnt there anybody without problems with the installation and afterwards.

 

Very interesting. Finally someone get's hardcore.