Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: JoeNoble on August 13, 2007, 10:43:31 AM

Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 13, 2007, 10:43:31 AM
For now I basically just wanna replace the stock turbo. I was gonna rebuild it but a thorough rebuild kit is like $75 on ebay but I can get a T3/T4 for a little less than $175 shipped.

Also... The info on the T3/T4 says it has a .50 A/R Compressor and a .63A/R Turbine. Does anyone know what the specs are for the factory turbo that's in an 88 turbo coupe? Can you explain to me what the whole A/R thing is, I read it somewhere but don't remember what it was.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 14, 2007, 08:25:21 AM
The area of the cone to radius from center hub is expressed as a ratio (AR, A/R, or A:R). So is a higher A/R better? The turbo I'm looking at has a .50 compressor and I think the stock turbo has a .60compressor.

Somebody's gotta be able to answer these questions.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: turboranger91 on August 14, 2007, 08:44:49 AM
this may help.  there's a lot of info on here... much more then i care to type out.

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/tech_center/turbo_systems_tech_center.html

have fun. 


oh, and to your initial question of what you need to do to prepare... nothing, it's a direct swap.  just remember that 15psi on an ihi is not the same as 15psi on a bigger turbo.  watch your boost and your timing/fuel curves.  you don't want to melt  piston.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 14, 2007, 08:58:50 AM
Awesome! Thanks!
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: CougarSE on August 14, 2007, 09:03:06 AM
I'm not a turbo car owner (well I am but its just in the name) but I know that the t3 isn't a direct swap.  The turbo outlet is different and either needs to be ground off or something done in order for it to work.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: turboranger91 on August 14, 2007, 09:09:47 AM
ok.  little things like a new way to connect the vane air meter, and the vac lines that are on the compressor side.  as far as the turbo outlet, you'll need a new coupler to compensate for the slight size difference.  nothing on the exhaust side should change.  you'll want to use a steel braided oil feed line, and you'll need a return line from a t3 equipped car, or you can buy a steel braided one. 

stinger makes one. 
http://www.stinger-performance.com/headerparts.html

scroll down a bit and you'll see it.


other then that, i cant remember if there was anything else... it's been so long.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 14, 2007, 09:11:32 AM
I'm not worried about the inlet cuz I'm making a custom cold air intake.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: turboranger91 on August 14, 2007, 09:16:45 AM
Quote from: JoeNoble;168708
I'm not worried about the inlet cuz I'm making a custom cold air intake.


right on.  like i said though, make sure you have provisions for the crank case vent tube.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 14, 2007, 09:24:51 AM
I bought one of those small cone breather filters... Can I use that?
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: turboranger91 on August 14, 2007, 09:28:18 AM
Quote from: JoeNoble;168717
I bought one of those small cone breather filters... Can I use that?

you can, but there's a lot of people that don't agree with just putting a filter on there.  you need to draw a vacuum on it to pull the pressure out.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 14, 2007, 09:31:15 AM
So it'll work but for optimal performance it's no recommended?
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: Red_LX on August 14, 2007, 09:36:43 AM
Dude, DO NOT buy one of those $150-200 hybrids off ebay. Trust me, they're junk.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 14, 2007, 09:39:50 AM
Quote from: Red_LX;168726
Dude, DO NOT buy one of those $150-200 hybrids off ebay. Trust me, they're junk.


Why do you say that?!
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: turboranger91 on August 14, 2007, 09:45:26 AM
Quote from: JoeNoble;168728
Why do you say that?!


is that the one you're talking about?!!!!
i thought it was a used unit that you were getting a good deal on.

DO NOT buy one of those turbos!  they don't last more then a couple months... there's a reason that thousands of people absolutely refuse to put them on their motors.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 14, 2007, 09:49:58 AM
Ok, so where can I get a good deal on a T3/T4 turbo? Are there any on ebay that are ok to use?
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: turboranger91 on August 14, 2007, 10:00:51 AM
finding a good deal on a good turbo is like finding that one hooker that you CAN in fact turn into a housewife.

they're all over the place, man.  you've just got keep looking.  stay away from off brands.:beatyoass:
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: CougarSE on August 14, 2007, 10:06:50 AM
Quote from: turboranger91;168739
is like finding that one hooker that you CAN in fact turn into a housewife.

they're all over the place, man.


hahaha
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 14, 2007, 10:07:22 AM
So look for name brands Greddy, Turbonetics, Turbo XS, ect. Got ya. What would you consider a fair price for a new T3/T4 turbo from an online vendor or someone on ebay?
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: turboranger91 on August 14, 2007, 10:09:25 AM
are you looking for new or would you like to save money and go used?
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 14, 2007, 10:11:43 AM
Well I'd like to get a new one but if I can find one used that's in really good shape (preferably one that doesn't need a rebuild) I would go for that.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: turboranger91 on August 14, 2007, 10:35:08 AM
check the for sale section over at turboford.org
someone there is always selling one to upgrade to a bigger unit.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: JoeNoble on August 14, 2007, 10:39:27 AM
Will do! Thanks! And thank you guys for keeping me from wasting money on a py turbo!
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: turboranger91 on August 14, 2007, 10:41:57 AM
i'm just glad we stopped you from being another statistic.

happy hunting.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: Red_LX on August 14, 2007, 11:44:47 AM
You can find good used hybrids on ebay but you have to be careful.

I got a Turbonetics 57 trim over the winter for $460 and it's in really nice shape (this is a single ball bearing turbo, Stage III turbine, all the good stuff), although I took it apart over the winter and neglected to properly mark everything so it needs rebalanced (working on that at the moment). It's easily a $1000 turbo though.

However, just recently I came across what I thought was a good deal...guy was selling an SC50 that he said had "minor play" and I figured I could buy that and just throw it on. I won it for $300, got it and found out it was a piece of junk. It had a whole bunch of play, the wheels had been into the housings, and it was really no good for anything but a paper weight. I got the guy to agree to refund half my money via a paypal claim, but he hasn't sent it yet, and then I dunno what I'm gonna do with this junk turbo.

Might consider just finding a good T3 and sticking with it.
Title: What do I need to do to prepare my engine for a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo?
Post by: SLEEPER T-BIRD 87 on August 14, 2007, 11:18:03 PM
im running a cheap t3/t4

works good we will see how durable it is..