7afte Build North Carolina, USA, 7afe turbo build Options

[celica74]

Ive had my 94 celica for almost 2 years now. Bought it with 184k miles on it and in very good condition. Once i started automotive school my little 1.8l four banger wasnt enough. Found me a totalled 95 celica with a 7afe and only 120k miles on it and swaped that in. Then i found 6gc and read The DCW turbo build, stef's turbo build, and the one made in germany. Started seraching online for parts and then crunched some numbers. Didnt seen too expencive at first. Although i had never worked on a turbo car or known anything about a turbo or the amount of parts and time put into building one from scratch.

Parts Bought:

4afe turbo kit (turbo manifold, .50 ar to .63ar Hybrid t3/t4 turbo, FM Intercooler, piping, Slim fan, turbo timer, and dump pipe) $599.99

BOV RS style
$69.99

Oil drain and feed line kit with fittings
$89.99

7mge 315cc Line green top injectors (reverse flow cleans, tested)
$79.99

Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
$49.99

Fuel Management Unit 10:1 ratio
$99.99

TRE 255 lph fuel pump (reviews say its quieter and lasts longer then Walboro)
$69.99

40mm Wastegate with 10psi spring and 14psi spring adjustable
$79.99

I might be missing a few things, but these are the nessecity's i have bought. I know most of it sounds cheep, but i made up for the lack of cost by doing research on the actual item i was buying. Has taken me 4 months to collect all the basic parts i need.
Total cost: $1069.93

Which so i hear is very cheep for a turbo setup.
This does not include labor(im installing and fabricating everything myself), tuning, or misc. things.

I will have pictures up of my swap, and what ive done so far, i will do my best to provide details, hints and tricks.

[Keiri]

Ooh, a build thread in North Carolina.

Sounds like you have a good idea of what you want to do and I look forward to watching the progression.

Where in NC are you at?

[al94st]

Is that 4afe turbo kit a good product? I've looked at that thing on ebay about a 100 times, but I'm skeptical. Good luck with the project.

[krom8]

I'll be watching this. After you get everything working please update regarding reliability later on down the road.

[celica74]

I live in Cary, North Carolina, about an hour away from Fayetteville. Im out at the drag strip out there twice a month.

I should have photos up later tonight once i get them on my computer and figure out how to post them.

I was the same way about the 4afe kit for about 3 months. When it got here i checked everything over. Slim fan is already installed on the front of the condenser and working great. Piping you can go ahead and throw out, curves are all wrong, tried test fitting it 3 different ways. Just going to have an exhaust shot bend and weld the piping for me. Shouldnt be more then $50 at $5 a foot. The dump pipe if i put it on the way it came, the exhaust gases would shoot straight at the radiator, already have that fixed (ground the pipe off the flange and had a buddy weld it at the correct angle. Manifold has clean welds on it, just have to get the wastegate flange welded on and a flange either a wideband or o2 senser put on. Thats the only thing thats holding me back right now. I pulled the t3/t4 hybrid turbo apart and as far as i can tell all the seals are good and everything is tight. I dont think im going to use the turbo timer, dont see the point of a kitchen timing counting down when i can just let the car run for 3 min. I already test fitted the intercooler, fits right under the crash bar and the skid plates very well, just havent decided how to mount it though. All in all i think it was a good buy. Considering most turbos are 700 by themselves. And it doesnt bother me if this one lastes for 3 months, ill already have saved up to by a nice garret.

The only major problems ive had was the oil feed and drain lines. the kit i bought had the t fitting for the oil pressure senser for a feed, but the line for it wouldnt fit the flange that came with it, either i become inventive or buy a new flange that might work. But it came with a banjo fitting for the oil pan drain plug and bolted right up to the turbo.

FYI- I have my 315cc injectors on the car right now, i got 16mpg without adjusting the fuel pressure and hotter plugs.

[CelicaSTX02]

Nice dude, I am located in Durham, NC. I'll have to come check out this build sometimes. I just got my 3sgte motor running, so it's nice to see more boosted 6gc in the area.

[rave2n]

Nice dude, I am located in Durham, NC. I'll have to come check out this build sometimes. I just got my 3sgte motor running, so it's nice to see more boosted 6gc in the area.

Putting funds in the bank now for 3sgte, estimated purchase time is in 5 months. 4 months to complete swap, being I can only do it on weekends....so..there will be another soon. Located in Gville, SC

[celica74]

wow, and i thought i was the only 6g celi fanatic on the east coast. great to hear responses.

Update: just got my manifold back from the welding shop, Had to get the wastegate flange welded on along with a o2 sensor flange. only 90$ which wasnt too bad. Think im putting the car up on blocked tonight and start tearing it down.

Just got my black leather shift boot with blue stitching in today. $30 on ebay from the UK
Ralco Short shifter should be here today or tomorrow. Only $70 which is a great deal. Read reviews saying its better then the B and M high priced brand. Let you guys know how it works.

[foxcraze]

Another NC'er here too watching this build as well.

[celica74]

Well i ran into some problems with the manifold. Turbo sits too low and hits the motor mount and a little on the ac fan. Turned it around and it hit the compresser. I could remove it and get it to work but a black car with a black interior with no ac.... ha i think not. So im either going to have to source a new manifold, have one built, or shorten the one i have which ive talked to people about and it will be very difficult considering how its layed out. Anyone have any ideas?

[Smaay]

did you see my 7A-FTE thread, i can provide a manifold, and a complete kit

[celica74]

dang, no i never saw your thread. That could have saved me some time and money. How much would you have sold everything to me for?
Ive got everything taken care of except the manifold, which i just found one from Tennesee for $50.

[celica74]

custom manifold just arrived today. At work right now so i havent had a chance to look at it or test fit it. will later on tonight though

[celica74]

Just opened the package up, and dang, looks beautiful! Only problem i have with it is that it has a wastegate flange for a 35/38mm wastegate and i have a 40mm so i have to get that worked out, and then i have to weld the o2 bung onto it. Then itll be turbo time!

[CelicaSTX02]

Dang, can't wait to see you get everything worked out.

[celica74]

Thanks, still need to get my manifold welded, and some bugs worked out. Problem i have is not a lot of free time. I work full time and im a full time student. I should be able to get it all put on in a weekend though

[CelicaSTX02]

Thanks, still need to get my manifold welded, and some bugs worked out. Problem i have is not a lot of free time. I work full time and im a full time student. I should be able to get it all put on in a weekend though

Yeah man, I know how it is. I barely have any time to work on my car, but I finally got the celica running with the 3sgte. Had to take it to Dr. Tweak to utilize his magic and get the car running again.

[celica74]

turboing a 7a seems almost too much trouble, it being an economy motor, and no kits are made for it, so you have to source everything or custom make it. Wondering if the motor i had aside would have been better spent on a 3s? haha

[Nartanian]

I've heard the 3s is the way to go and has more potential than a 7a ever would. But it seems like you've put a lot of effort and time into this build. I say don't quit on it and I sure look forward to seeing how it all turns out.

[CelicaSTX02]

turboing a 7a seems almost too much trouble, it being an economy motor, and no kits are made for it, so you have to source everything or custom make it. Wondering if the motor i had aside would have been better spent on a 3s? haha

Dude, no regrets man! You already have too much money and time spent on this build to even think about another option. Once you get it boosted, you're gonna be happy, and that's all that matters.

[celica74]

just the responses i was looking for! motivation is all i need.... and money, thats for sure

[Fr3AkAzOiD]

I'm in Clayton which is about 25 min east of Cary.

Looks like quite a few Triangle area people on here.

Good luck with the build.

[celica74]

nice, more and more people are coming forth. Good to hear

[celica74]

Well i got some maybe bad, maybe not so bad news. Ive had a vac/boost gauge installed on my car for 2 weeks. For the past week the it was reading 15 in hc and moving rapidly with a very low idle once it was warmed up. Checked my oil today(just changed it) and its black, with a nice smell of gas. Not going to jump to any conclusions but i need to do a leak down test to make sure my rings are still good. For now turbo is on hold.

[celica74]

going to run a compression test tonight after work. Hopefully i see some good numbers.

[celica74]

sorry i havent been on in a while. been busy with school. compression ran 150 across all cylinders. And i solved my fuel problem. Put a fuel fitting i got at the parts store on the rail and im running directly off the aftermarket reulator. Running 20psi and it feels better then stock. Keep in mind i do have the 315cc injectors in. Stock fuel pressure is 35-40 psi