157,000 to late to turbo? Options

[Bbuck35]

hey just wondering what you guys think, is 157,000 miles on a 7AFE to late to turbo , or should i invest in a rebuild 3SGTE swap. ?



let me know ...

[j0e_p3t]

get a compression test. and if you want more power and have the money, go 3s.

[InfamousChappy]

The 7afe, in my opinon doesn't create optimal power at low rpms. With a turbo this is where you wouldn't have the power.
My 7a blew around the mileage mark that yours has. All that was done to mine was headers and a CAI.

My first and current transportation is a 1990 BMW 325i. Straight six that puts out around 200 hp, maybe more I have forgotten the exact numbers.

My point is this..When I got my celica, which is now my fourth vehicle and 2nd car (I had two SUVS that met their demise..I'll never drive another) I felt like it had no power atleast compared to my BMW. So whatever horsepower you feel you can handle, go with that. Just realize the 7a has less (even with a turbo) than a 3s.

[quicknstyle]

long term go 3s, more than likely has fewer miles and is in better condition

[6strngs]

I have a similar question. My 5sfe has 150,000 (almost 151 now!) and I want to turbo it, but I'm not sure about it... I mean, the engine runs fine now, but I don't want to drop a couple grand into an engine for a turbo only to blow it within a couple thousand miles because of the added stress. could it take it? or would rebuilding it or buying a new 5sfe be my only real option for turbo-ing?

[eggman40]

I have a similar question. My 5sfe has 150,000 (almost 151 now!) and I want to turbo it, but I'm not sure about it... I mean, the engine runs fine now, but I don't want to drop a couple grand into an engine for a turbo only to blow it within a couple thousand miles because of the added stress. could it take it? or would rebuilding it or buying a new 5sfe be my only real option for turbo-ing?

that mileage is pretty high to deal with the added stress of a turbo, there are probably parts that are worn in and perform just fine with the motor as it is, such as piston rings, cylinder walls, and crank journals. With suck high mileage the parts are already pretty worn. They probably wont last very long under boost. You might get lucky and not have any problems, but with the money your gonna spend on the kit, i would probly just save a little more and get a 3sgte and use your tranny (its cheaper) Good luck!

[GTS13]

Ok, this is strictly opinion, but I feel that at that kind of mileage (I have the same and have been researching the same thing) should be fine if you car hasn't experienced any kind of severe problems already. However you are going to want to take extreme measures in preventative maintenance. i.e. Intercoolers are typically used to lower temperatures on higher output turbos but in our case we'd want to use one on a small T3 on only 6-7 psi. You won't push much but you'll notice an incredible difference. Most have noticed late 14's, which isn't bad at all if you're looking for a comfortable daily driver. So keep in mind that you're going to cause quite a bit of damage if you just do the necessary turbo components, be sure to upgrade what you can with the life of your engine in mind versus the potential power.
As for the whole 3SGTE thing with the "faster engine that will more than likely be in better condition"...look at it this way, you turbo your 7A - if it blows up you can get a super cheap new one because everyone else is too busy swapping a 3S into theirs...

This post has been edited by GTS13: Nov 21, 2006 - 5:54 PM

[6strngs]

You might get lucky and not have any problems, but with the money your gonna spend on the kit, i would probly just save a little more and get a 3sgte and use your tranny (its cheaper) Good luck!

I live in california. it's near-impossible to make one legal... though, now apparently someone is saying it is legal if you install all the emission control stuff on it. but even then, it would have to be a 94+ so I might only be able to get a 3rd gen, which is even more money...

[eggman40]

You might get lucky and not have any problems, but with the money your gonna spend on the kit, i would probly just save a little more and get a 3sgte and use your tranny (its cheaper) Good luck!

I live in california. it's near-impossible to make one legal... though, now apparently someone is saying it is legal if you install all the emission control stuff on it. but even then, it would have to be a 94+ so I might only be able to get a 3rd gen, which is even more money...

I live in cali and i "made" it legal but its really up to you

Edit: its not like the turbo kit you put on the motor now would be street legal anyway, so if your gonna get popped for an illegal mod, you may as well make it worth your while and get a 3sgte.

This post has been edited by eggman40: Nov 22, 2006 - 12:29 PM

[GTS13]

Edit: its not like the turbo kit you put on the motor now would be street legal anyway, so if your gonna get popped for an illegal mod, you may as well make it worth your while and get a 3sgte.

It's all a matter of how different do you wanna be, if I wanted to do what everyone else does *cough*3SGTE*cough* I would have bought a Honda. But I'm just weird like that.

[6strngs]

You might get lucky and not have any problems, but with the money your gonna spend on the kit, i would probly just save a little more and get a 3sgte and use your tranny (its cheaper) Good luck!

I live in california. it's near-impossible to make one legal... though, now apparently someone is saying it is legal if you install all the emission control stuff on it. but even then, it would have to be a 94+ so I might only be able to get a 3rd gen, which is even more money...

I live in cali and i "made" it legal but its really up to you

Edit: its not like the turbo kit you put on the motor now would be street legal anyway, so if your gonna get popped for an illegal mod, you may as well make it worth your while and get a 3sgte.

how did you "make" it legal?

[Culpable04]

I got a compression test done on my car today

cyl 1 cyl 2 cyl 3 cyl 4
100 130 110 130


how do they look for a turbo ? not too good ?

[Batman722]

I got a compression test done on my car today

cyl 1 cyl 2 cyl 3 cyl 4
100 130 110 130


how do they look for a turbo ? not too good ?

I would have to say not too good

[Culpable04]

yeap ! that's what I figured, so my christmas present will have to be delay I'm gonna get another 7AFE and build it a little, I don't want 300 HP out of it I think I'll ok fine with 180-200 HP

[6strngs]

I got a compression test done on my car today

cyl 1 cyl 2 cyl 3 cyl 4
100 130 110 130


how do they look for a turbo ? not too good ?

I would have to say not too good

alright, so if I run a compression test on my cylinders, what kind of numbers should I be looking for to be able to say my engine would be in good enough condition to turbo?