Articles » Turbo Kits 101

Now that you understand how a turbo system works, lets build our custom turbo kit! Below are the parts that you will need to build a typical turbo kit for a B series motor for an Integra. However, this will also work with Si's, Preludes, CRV's, Civics with some slight modifications of the turbo pipes! slight modifications = cutting with a saw. How hard is it to cut? hehe.

Parts List
The prices in the brackets are average costs for the item:

Item #2 - [$200] B Series Turbo Manifold:



Any B series turbo manifold. Perferably from a Drag or Revhard kit (So you can retain your air conditioning system). There are some people on www.thepartstrader.com that sell these for around $200-$300 used! I've seen some custom ones on there for $600! However, for our project, lets just use a turbo manifold from a Drag or Revhard kit. If you are lucky, you can pick up a used one locally from someone for $250 or so.

Item #3 - [$150] Turbocharger



A T3 turbo (Garett or Airesearch) from a Ford or Volvo or Saab. These sell for around $150-$200 on Ebay! Or if you want the real power, find a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo but those go for around $450 brand new from Turbonetics! But for a street setup, a T3 is better because you get better throttle response (Less turbo lag). I've had experience with both types, the T3 is my favorite! Also for our setup, make sure you get the 5 bolt pattern for the downpipe! Before you buy the item, ask the person if its the 5 bolt pattern! Most T3 and T3/T4s are 5 bolt patterns so you will not have any trouble looking for one!

Item #4 - [$100] Downpipe

A downpipe from a Drag or Revhard kit. The downpipe will bolt straight up to any T3 or T3/T4 turbo! My friend bought one for $100 with flange welded! Some guy wanted to sell his for $60! Or you can get a custom one made for $250. You may need to modify the downpipe slightly. And to do that, just buy a 2.5 inch flex pipe and 2 exhaust clamps.

Item #11 - [$80] FMU (Vortech, Cartech, Etc...)

My friend bought a BRAND spanking new one for $80 from thepartstrader.com. However, you can buy a new one for $120-$150 from Vortech directly at www.vortechsuperchargers.com.

Item #1 - [$100] Wastegate

Ebay. Thepartstrader. My friend got a Turbonetics Deltawastegate for $100 brand spanking new! If you use the Drag or Revhard manifold, a Turbonetics, Tial, or HKS will fit the manifold.

Item #5, 6, 8, 9 - [$70] Charge Pipes

Where to get: http://www.jcwhitney.com

If you have a cold air intake, keep it! Because you will save yourself a LOT of money. You will not need Pipe #9 if you have a cold air intake!

However, if you do not have a cold air intake you will need all 4 pipes from them. Here are the parts # that you will need!

Pipe #8 & #6: (You will need to order two of these) 81ZX3031U 180 Degree Mandrel-Bent Aluminized Tubing, (A/B)=12", (C)=5", ID=2-3/8", OD=2-1/2" Each 13.95

Pipe #5: 81ZX2953P 90 Degree Mandrel-Bent Aluminized Tubing, (A/B)=10", (C)=5", ID=2-3/8", OD=2-1/2" Each 9.95

Pipe #9: 81ZX3035N 180 Degree Mandrel-Bent Aluminized Tubing, (A/B)=24", (C)=5", ID=2-3/8", OD=2-1/2" Each 22.95

- [$50] Oil feed / Return line

Reason: Turbochargers need oil because they spin at an incredible rate. The oil cools down the bearings inside the turbo. This is a must.

For the oil line, you can purchase one from Summit racing. Its the stainless steel one for $39.99. This is the line that connects from the back of the block and runs to the turbo.

Now that the oil is running through the turbo to cool down the bearings, you will need to return it back to the oil pan!

For that, you will need to goto Home Depot. They have a copper barbed fitting ( 1/2 Inch ) which looks like this but with a BIGGER nipple!:



- [$30] Silicone Hoses

Reason: Silicone hoses to connect all the pipes together! Or you can get the pipes welded together, but that is an expensive route.

Where to get: Home Depot in the Plumbing section, they sell the black rubber silicone hoses. Before you buy the silicone hoses, make sure all the pipes connect from the turbo the throttle body with no problems. If so, then all you need to do is look for the correct hoses! Hoses may vary depending on the size of the turbo outlet port size and/or intercooler port sizes. On average, they are 2 inch.

If you already have a cold air intake, you will only need SEVEN 2 inch silicone hoses. However, if you do not have a cold air intake, you will need NINE 2 inch silicone hoses.

- [$10] MAP Sensor by pass valve

Reason: You will need this to bypass air from the MAP sensor. If the MAP sensor sees boost, it will throw a check engine light code! You can invest in a missing map link for $50. But with this trick that I provide, you will only invest $10 for a homemade sensor by pass.

Where to get: Local fish store. Three brass/plastic "T"s. Three Check valves (Ask anyone in the store, they will show you where this is located at). On average, the Brass "T"'s are $1 each. And the check valves are around $2 each.

- [$5] 15 Feet of Vacuum lines

Reason: You will need these for the blow off valve, FMU, wastegate, and check valves.

Total cost of project: Around $800 with no blow off valve or intercooler. However, this is an average cost. Also you can find a nice used Blow off valve for $100 and a nice used Intercooler for $200, bringing the price to around $1100. My friend picked up an intercooler for $125. The final price of the turbo system all depends on where you look and if you have patience, you can build a whole system for less then $1000 if you know where to look!

Optional items:

-[$100] Blow off Valve

Reason: A Blow off Valve is not necessary but RECOMMENDED. Plus you get the cool "wooooshh" or "pshhhh" sound. The Blow off Valve releases pressure from the turbo when you let go of the throttle. The air has nowhere else to go but back into the turbo. But with a Blow off Valve, the air gets vented into the atmosphere.

Where to get: Ebay or thepartstrader.com. My friend bought his Greddy Type S used for $100 with flange.

-[$300] Intercooler

Reason: Intercoolers are used to reduce the heat caused by compressed air. If you compress air, you create heat. When the hot air goes through the intercooler, it greatly reduces intake temperatures, thus more power!

Where to get: Ebay or thepartstrader.com. I've seen these go for as little as $200 if you know where to look!