Going turbo w/ GSR h/b

[nemesls_2000]

Well, I'm finally got my settlement check from the the insurance company in the wreck I was in last year. I have decided that I want to go with a turbo setup. I have a 92 hatch w/ a GSR motor and I am wondering if there is a special turbo kit I have to get for my car b/c it is a hatch w/ a B18C1? I know that along w/ whatever kit I choose, I am going to need new injectors, a bigger fuel pump, a new clutch, a turbo timer, and a boost controller. I've been looking at the RC 440 injectors, the APEXi auto timer, and I haven't decided on the rest. I would like your help on deciding which turbo kit to buy along with the others I mentioned. I really want a ball-bearing turbo. This will be a daily driven vehicle and I don't plan on boosting over 8lbs. b/c I haven't built up my bottom end. The main thing I am looking for is reliabliity. I really don't want a huge turbo, just something to beat on the locals around town.

[92hatchatack]

if you dont plan on boosting big, and u want reliability-stay away from a ball bearing turbo--sure they spool up nice and quick, but they have a shorter lifespan---ive always belived that a drag gen 3 kit is a great way to go for a setup like yours---pros--bolts on real easy-no extreme tunning needed---and the only big con i can think of is a kinda crappy turbo mani--but it will do fine, and can always be replaced in the future

[hybridsol]

Originally posted by 92hatchatack
if you dont plan on boosting big, and u want reliability-stay away from a ball bearing turbo--sure they spool up nice and quick, but they have a shorter lifespan---ive always belived that a drag gen 3 kit is a great way to go for a setup like yours---pros--bolts on real easy-no extreme tunning needed---and the only big con i can think of is a kinda crappy turbo mani--but it will do fine, and can always be replaced in the future

The ball bearing option was developed for the sole purpose of improving the reliability of high output turbos, why do you say they have a "shorter lifspan"? When high boost is used, there are great stresses on the center housing bearings to keep everything in place. The ball bearing option is a great way to handle these added stresses and improve reliability, not diminish it. Shure the ball bearing increased the rate of acceleration of the exhaust wheel. But there will be less friction with the ball bearing turbo, and a freely spinning wheel will make the boost rise at a faster rate.

[92hatchatack]

basicaly everything u said there is correct--- ball bearing is designed for high power and quick spooling---its designed to last longer at those crazy high rmp"s and boost psi----but if were running bolth turbos at 6 psi--- i would bet the ballbearing would start to give out first----this is what i have learned from research---i could be wrong--belive me i dont always claim i am 100% right---but anyway, like i said in my post-----if you dont plan on boosting big, and u want reliability-stay away from a ball bearing turbo--- a regular turbo will be just fine--and much more cost eficent( i cant spell)--that is just the way i feel---some may disagree, and thats fine with me

[nemesls_2000]

Some of the manufacturers that have kits are Greddy, Drag, XS engineering, HKS, Turbonetics, Automotosports. Does anyone have any experience with any of these kits? Pros/Cons?

I was reading through my old Super Street Sept. 2002 "The Turbo Issue" and apart from upgrading your fuel management, they recommended getting a thicker head gasket ("a metal one will withstand more boost than a compostite one") and replacing the pistons ("forged, not cast"). They also said that the "Integra piston rings will land before the rods go"