Question(s) regarding turbo replacement & ways to save money

[Zeille]

Hi y'all,

My car is at 171k & is stock turbo & stock downpipe. I'm on an e30 tune by Adam, and have proper mods to make power, but my car feels very sluggish. It doesn't get into boost very quickly, and it doesn't hit what peak boost SHOULD be in lower gears, despite WGDC being at almost 100% in logs. So, I'm looking to replace my turbo with a lower mile unit & a catless downpipe, as my friend's car (who has almost the exact same mods + fresh turbo & catless downpipe, just less miles) feels so much quicker. However, I'm trying to save as much money as possible. I don't really want to replace any lines/hoses if possible - I only want to replace what I absolutely must. Can I get away with reusing the same oil/coolant feed/drain lines + their banjo bolts and washers? I will be replacing all gaskets possible, and probably will need to replace manifold to turbo studs/nuts & turbo to downpipe studs/nuts, as I've accepted that the old ones will likely snap/shear.

 

[M-Sport fan]

Just out of mileage wear and tear, with 171K miles in the desert heat (was the car in that area it's whole life?), I would replace those lines, hoses, etc., as well as any others which are more accessible with the turbo, heatshield and manifold already out of the way in the engine bay.

 

[Zeille]

Just out of mileage wear and tear, with 171K miles in the desert heat (was the car in that area it's whole life?), I would replace those lines, hoses, etc., as well as any others which are more accessible with the turbo, heatshield and manifold already out of the way in the engine bay.

I don't think it's been in AZ its entire life... I don't have access to the carfax anymore to verify. It's been in AZ for at least 3 years, though.

 

[sczamun]

Are you sure that it's the turbo? What maintenance have you done?

 

[Zeille]

Are you sure that it's the turbo? What maintenance have you done?

i'm thinking it's either the turbo (most likely the WG) or the cat being aged & clogged. all i have replaced is: evap purge valve last month, upstream/downstream o2s in 2023, and routine fluids. i have also checked for boost leaks by using smoke & pressure, and there's nothing. car holds good vacuum as well

 

[dhminer]

Inspect the lines for kinks or any other damage. If you reuse them, you should at least replace any crush washers. The studs are also designed to be single use, so replace them.

 

[dhminer]

Will also add so you have it in one thread - the easiest way to swap the turbo is first remove the wipers, cowl, entire intake tract, and disconnect the coolant lines and oil feed from the engine. Then jack up the front end and go underneath to disconnect the oil return from the turbo and engine and disconnect the downpipe. You’ll want to unbolt it from the cat back too so you can push it out of the way a bit for more room to work. Once done, leave the turbo and manifold together and remove the manifold nuts. It’ll all slide out together. You may or may not need to remove the coolant lines from the turbo first, but it’s been so long that I messed with the stock turbo that can’t remember.