i know im going to get some flaming for this but its an honest question so here we go

got an internally stock b16 with just about every bolt on. id like to get a little extra power, like id be happy with somewhere in the 30-40hp range. seems like that would be easily accomplished with a very basic turbo setup. i can piece one together using a small saab turbo or something of the like for pretty cheap. only problem is that im not going to have hundreds of dollars to get a tune (its obd0 btw). so basically i wont be boosting if i have to get a tune, sad as it is my budget just wont allow it

so my question is, would i be okay to run a small turbo with no tune? if not, whats it going to break? (i wouldnt care if i blow out a junkyard turbo)

also, ive read that if you use a fpr and missing link youll be okay.

 

if your only looking for 30-40hp more just get a nitrious kit and jet it for a 50 shot way cheaper and safer then a turbo with no tune

 

i suppose you could do an fmu if it came down to it. but with no sort of fuel enrichment, i'd be surprised it would last even 1 pass.

 

yep. Make sure it is a WET kit. But I wouldn't turbo it at all without the other modifications.

 

not doing nitrous... its my daily, just not practical, thanks though

what exactly isnt going to last?

 

Running lean = hot

Constantly beating on it (don't kid yourself, you will) with a lean condition = Boom!

Very easy if you actually stop to think long enough...The cost of replacing and entire engine costs more than getting the supporting parts and a tune to make the car run right. No?

 

Your air/fuel ratios will be all over the place, most likely running extremely lean. your spark will be an issue without a tune and you will probably be misfiring like crazy if you try to rev past 3-4000 rpm (which is when your turbo will start spooling) and you will probably end up spinning a bearingm breaking rods, and frying piston rings.

if you want a reliable setup, you need to get the right parts and a good tune. Parts that you'll need to get other than a "turbo kit" will include a fuel pressure regulator, gauge, fuel pump (255 lph) and bigger injectors with a resistor box.


Do it once and do it right, or don't do it at all.

Edit: and it's not cheap or easy to tune obd2 cars.

 

alright, well, question seems to be answered, no boost without tune.

whats the cheapest i can go for obd0?

 

your ring lands.

 

Well here is what I would do. Get at least a set of dsm450's, get a 90/91 pm6 or pr4 chipped ecu, do some looking around (pgmfi.org)and see if someone can set you up with a basemap for turbo edit. At least it will be able to pull a little bit of timing and control some fuel for you.

You might be able to get away with $150 for all of it. maybe even cheaper.

 

sounds like a plan, but why pm6 or pr4? wouldnt i lose vtec with both? couldnt i get someone to set up my pr3?

 

so my research on turbo without tune has continued... ive read from some places that youre safe up to 7psi on a stock motor without a tune and from others that itll blow...

if i went with a 5psi set up and a 12:1 fmu to compensate for extra fuel (along with the missing link to take care of the ecu) would my engine really be in such danger?
people have suggested a 50 shot of nitrous, is a mere 5psi of boost more dangerous?

 

If it comes down to it .. (which i have done) You can do the 450's with a vafc hack and run it that way. I ran my first b18 ls setup that way.. ran fine i also used a msd boost timing master to control timing.. so i was able to retard the timing and adjust fuel per rpm with the vafc. so in theory its kinda a tune.

 

So running a turbo without a tune is more practical on a daily?

Listen, power kills internals (Also see: Running with no tune/bad tune), not psi. So set a power goal. I don't know who was saying a boosted motor without a tune will be fine, but they are wrong. It WILL blow, it's just a matter of time.

I would never recommend someone doing this, as it's just not a very good idea, but for the sake of answering your question...

You could probably run an FMU or AFC or whatever and shoot for the power range you have mentioned and make it. No guarantees on anything, as you are going about this in the riskiest way.

It's extra wear and tear no matter if you do it the right or wrong way. It's up to you to decide to what degree it'll be.

Honestly, I think you'd be better off with nitrous for your budget and goal, but it's your car.

 

Well, after exploring the site in rat city rex's sig ( real home made turbo) ive decided that im gonna go for it. With my low budget and low goals an FMU should be fine. Basically im just looking to go to the next level and have some entry level boost, 5psi. Even if i only gain 20hp ill be happy, and ill have the whole set up ready if/when i decide to go a step higher (more boost and a tune). Just a milestone of mine to have the turbocharged car for now.

Anyway, heres what they say about an FMU:

 

Some people just will never understand no matter how many people tell them it's a bad idea. Kinda like nailing a girl who you know is dirty and your friends try and stop you but your dick just won't listen. "no personal experience of my own"

 

yeaap. that about sums it up

 

^ im calling bs.

sometimes your dick just needs to find out for itself. its the best way to really know why other people try to warn you.

 

if you really do only want a tiny bit of power I bet you could retard your dizzy quite a bit and run a fmu with a missing link and be fine. people used to do that all the time back in the day.

 

and honestly, fact is ive read actual testimonies of people who did this same thing and no horror stories. the people who have never tried it are the ones saying it wont work well.

 

thats what im saying, ive seen setups like that after looking around and no one has any 2 week and blown stories.

whatever though, looks like my dick's gonna get a little dirty.

 

Right... Well, good luck.

I honestly hope it works out for you.

 

Budget, I would just put in bkr7e plugs in and put a vice grip on the fuel return line, pvc charge pipes, no intercooler, no blow off valve, retard the dizzy, and call it a day!


























Oh, and get a back up motor.....lol Good luck man, I liked getting my dick dirty too....lol

 

Dont feel like quoting 5 different posts...

1. Basemap's arent meant to be perminent. They are meant to get the car to run safely enough to drive it on a trailor and bring it to get tuned. People that drive around and beat on turboed cars with basemaps are idiots.

2. Just cause FMU's and missing links were used back in the day, doesnt mean they are just as good as upgrading the fuel system and getting a real tune. They used carb's back in the day, doesnt mean they are as good as fuel injection.

3. You obviously want it to be reliable and you only want 30-40hp. Why dont you just put some high compression pistons in it, deck the head .010", build the head and tune it?? You wouldnt spend a ton of money and could easily see that power gain if you did it right and got a good tune. For a reliable turbo kit and reliable tune to go with it, youd spend just as much as a mild engine build. Ebay kits and FMU's or a VAFC is NOT reliable.

4. VAFC is garbage too when it comes to tuning. Doesnt have enough to do it right. Just cause it runs and makes power, doenst mean its smart.

Honestly it sounds like your getting way in over your head. You need to do some more in depth research. This is the last place id come looking for it cause you get replies with people preaching on and on about FMU's and ebay turbo kits. Call up a well known tuner or performance shop and theyll tell you the best way to go about achieving your goals.

 

do you even know what you're saying? a simple turbo kit is way cheaper than going all motor..