[Doug]

I have a 93 LX-E I am looking to turbocharge. It is my daily driver. I am not looking for mega HP. Just looking to drop my 0-60 time a little. Would a VJ-11 make a good choice for me? I would like to run maybe 6-8psi. any comments?

 

[TheBlade]

best matched turbo for a daily to the BP would be the VJ20 that mazda put on it for the GTX's.

Even my VJ20 runs out of efficiency before 6200 revs or so. But its fully pushing at around 2600rev

 

[Doug]

where in Gods name can I find a VJ-20? I am not made of money and only have about 300 bucks to spend to get started.

 

[thescortgt]

it takes more than just a turbo to turbocharge an engine lol

 

[siragan]

it takes more than just a turbo to turbocharge an engine lol

Finally, somebody with a little sensibility on the boards. You start with fuel, then you move to exhaust, then you move to intake, then you turbo.

The VJ20 is such a good turbo for the GT because it spools up quickly and makes up for the poor bottom end power in the 1.8L BP.

If I were to do a turbo project, I'd use the VJ20. It won't give you an insane turbo whistle or an orgasmic BOV, but it will really give your car a nice, useable powercurve. I'm tempted to put a GTX engine in my GT. Very tempted.

 

[TheBlade]

---but Siragan...my BOV is orgasmic, what are you schmokin?

Yeah if 300 is a hard jump for a turbo...dont turbo you're car. Just in parts plan on close to 2k bucks...to install and tune plan on buying a bus pass if its your only car.

Seriously I turbo'd my scort like two years ago and I havent gotten a reliable daily driver back....not yet, at least.

 

[siragan]

Well, orgasm or not, I think that money is much better spent on handling than on engine mods.

My recommendation:

1. New shocks/springs
2. New swaybars
3. Strut braces
4. Bushings
5. Wheels/tires
6. Brakes

THEN

7. Fuel system upgrades
8. Turbo/exhaust/intake

In my opinion, a great handling car is far more fun to drive than a powerful car. Anybody who slaps on a turbo first is just doing things bass ackwards.

 

[thescortgt]

yeah, i'd have to say my first major mods are going to be my suspension.... it handles ok now, but i drove through this really nice neighborhood today with LONG windy, hilly roads, with hairpin turns and stuff (NOW THAT WAS FUN.... I FELT LIKE A RALLY DRIVER ALMOST)
and well, it just doesn't handle as well as i would like.. so before i even really think of turbo-ing my car, i'm going to get it to corner/handle how i want it.... then i'll just save up for a GTX engine if i can find one :wink:

 

[forcefedgt]

BOOST IT!!!!

The GTX swap is not as hard as everyone is making it out to be. I put mine in about a year ago, and it runs great daily. Along with running low 14's on sreet tires, and through stock exhaust. I just got a custom 2.5" exhaust installed last week with electric exhaust cut-out (the only part I did not do myself). And I believe with my new drag radials it will easily dip into the high to mid 13's. Then the Starion front mount is next. I'll keep you posted with updates!!

 

[siragan]

Can you put a T3 on a GTX? I dunno if the flange would be right...


I'm seriously considering a GTX swap for my GT at the end of the summer if I have the money. I think it would turn the GT from a decent car into a nice car. The extra 50 ponies make a huge difference. Anyway, did you have to do anything fuel-wise?

Also, did you get a new tranny for it?

 

[James92Scort]

Wait...siragan is considering a gtx swap? On the POS Escort? Something isn't right. Maybe that's not really siragan typing? I'm confused.

 

[siragan]

Yeah yea yea... I know. I was blessed with the opportunity of driving a VW GTI recently, and it's about the same weight and power that a GTX GT would be... and I'd have to say that I really liked it. Sure, I could get another GT for the price of the swap, but then again, the money I've spent in rims, tires, and suspension could have eaisly gotten me another GT.

So I figure that if I'm going to mess up, I may as well mess up big. I shouldn't have bought the suspension and wheels, but they were a slammin deal that I couldn't pass up, so I did. And I figure while I'm at it, I may as well make it a little nicer.

Most GTs I wouldn't do this to, but mine is in really exceptionally good condition, and I take extraordinarily good care of it, so at least it's a sound investment.

I know I know... eat my words.. make fun of siragan... horrendously hyprocritical siragan...

Can you put a T3 on a GTX though?

 

[James92Scort]

I don't see why you couldn't, just need an adapter plate for the exhaust flange and find a way to custom make a flex pipe going to the cat.

Hell I have a T3 and an adapter plate sittin right...

...here.

 

[siragan]

I'm curious where you guys would obtain a GTX, how much it was, and what additional things you needed (like injectors, ECU, fuel pump, exhaust manifolds, etc).

Because yeah... I'd have to say that I am interested. The GTX seems like it would be very well mated to the GT.

 

[James92Scort]

http://www.corksport.com can find you a gtx motor, and if you request they'll try to find you a vj 20 turbo for it...should come with a tranny, but not necessarily.

 

[GTScort]

siragan, GTX's are rated at 180hp... it doesn't mean thats what it puts out.

50hp isn't going to make a mid-high 15 to low 16 second car a 13 second car

well tuned GTX swaps on stock boost are capable of high 13 second timeslips

 

[Josh]

I've heard of KLZE engine swaps... (Mazda engine) which are rated at 210. I think that the VJ20 would also be adaptable... I must research this more.
Let me know if you're interested, I'll seriously get back to 'ya.

-Josh