used turbocharged cars

[dsmatteson]

Ok, here's my situation. Im 17 and I have $5,000 - $6,000 for a new car. Right away i looked into a 90 - 94 DSM Turbo. And my parents think this is a horrible idea because they read in a book called "Best Buys in Used Cars" that turbo charged cars shouldnt be bought at any price. It backs it up by saying that they only reason turbo's are on crysler cars is because they arent powerfull enough to run the car with out it. I wanna know if thats true and a Turbo DSM is worth buying. Thanks,
david

[97GS-wide-T]

what book is that!? anyways there are several benifits to a turbo car, number 1 is it's more efficent then a naturally aspirated car, 2 better performance yet still good fuel economy. here are some facts about the cars that that book won't tell you, ususally a turbo car will come with a lower compression motor then normal cars, this is due to many reasons but thefact is that yes if you took the turbo off a turbo car it will be slow not because it is a bad motor but because the motor was designed to run with the turbo not without. turbo cars do not require any more maintainence then a normal car, change the oil, do the scheduled maintanence and you will have a car that lasts as long as any other, if you run a turbo car hard let it idle a for 30sec-1mon after you run it this allows the hot oil in the turbos center cartridge to flow out and will improve the life span of the turbo. the eagle talon mitsubishi eclipse and plymouth laser are great bang for the buck rides make sure to look for a decent miliage car and check the owners records on maintanence and stuff, also the 90-91 cars had motors with bigger connecting rods making them a little more safe when you start modding into the 300-400hp range. also in your price range is the 88-92 supra also really nice bang for the buck rides, you may even find a turbo z in that price range but these are few and far so i wouldn't waste too much time there. but to put it simple if a turbo car was well maintained there is no reason to exclude them from the list of reliable cars.

[StockSpyder]

biggest crock of uneducated crap I have ever heard.. drag the guys that wrote that article and shoot them.. immediately.. the turbo motors are lower compression in 1gen dsms and why would you remove the turbo anyway? lame

[NorcalRX7]

Another consideration in that price range and if you can find one is a 87-88 (189hp)or 89-1991(220hp) Mazda RX-7 Turbo II, I am running 130k now and still pull 13's near stock. But then again I am a bit biased to the Rotaries :D

[civicman38]

I think its in that book because. turbos eventually burn out and not work worth a damn. Especially cryslers. They are shitty

[SE-Rage]

How would a turbo burn out?

[civicman38]

the turbos on older cryslers ( lebaron and some other cars. ) burn out meaning go bad either it breaks or does not work as efficiently

[aSiaNdoboI]

well these cars 1988 can cost only 2,500 ive seen it.
the turbo on the supra and 300zx 1988-1989 have 200hp
and with mods it can go to 275hp

[91TSiAWD_Mark]

Originally posted by 97GS-wide-T
turbo cars do not require any more maintainence then a normal car
Well, they do require a little more scheduled maintance cause there are more mooving parts and a lot more vac lines. But if they follow the schedule, the car will last as long as any other car sold.

[Turboed_2]

Originally posted by SE-Rage
How would a turbo burn out?

Coking. Supposedly a white powdery substance can build up inside the turbo if not cooled down properly, by avoiding shutting the car off abruptly.. Other than that, the turbo can start to get play, and if the play gets really bad, you will have to do a rebuild. I'm running my turbo (probably less than stock psi) at 150,000 miles. And I dont think its been replaced before, it has a little play, but its about time for a rebuild of my entire 3SGTE engine...*sigh*...

[StockSpyder]

Overspinning a turbo beyond its limits will also kill a turbo very quickly.. too much boost on a smaller turbo not rated for such can unbalance and kill it. :)

[cinder]

A used turbo charged car is no big deal. it is easy to check to see what condition the turbo is in. first off, when the car is cold and with the engine off, remove the turbo boot from the turbo to the airbox and check to see if the turbine wheel moves. if their is play that is bad. also take the car around the block, get on it a little and watch for blue smoke between shifts. this is bad. after you have taken the car for a drive, while the car is running, pop the hood and look for any blue smoke around the turbo. if you see smoke this is really bad becasue the trubo is leaking enough oil for you to see ithit the exhaust manifold and heat up.
I also forgot to mention to rub your fingers in the hose from the turbo to the airbox. If is is clean this is good as well.
ok lastly, the best reason not to worry about a turbo on a DSM, a 16G turbo (which equals 30HP to you) can easily be put on your car at a price of about 600 dollars. plus labor that is. maybe 4 hours. just my opinion.

[Wolf]

86-88 Thunderbird TurboCoupe. $3k-$5k for one in great shape. Can boost up to 18psi on the factory T3, 16psi on an IHI (Turbo depends on model and year)

[Geovannie]

get a 1g awd, you will not regret it, and 5-6 k is enough to buy the car and still have 3k left for mods which means 12s if used right.. ;)

[dsmatteson]

Sorry who have been pointing me in the DSM direction, but i got a 93 Honda Prelude Vtec.
dave

[2gracer]

Good deal, I've always wanted a prelude for their looks, but they are heavy as fuck (in comparison to hondas). good for low 15's or so though good chioce.

[LS1-EATER]

on average turbo cars dont last as long as NA cars. All that PSI adds additional stress to engine/driveline components and a turbo is just another movable part that can have its own set of problems. Turbo's don't like high miles. You can tell if the seals are bad by having someone rev the engine near the redline and see if it puts out smoke or not...that is sooo ghetto lookin. When new, turbo's are one of the most efficient power adders, much more so than a blower even though you have turbo lag. If it were me i'd go lookin for a used fox body 5.0 5spd. Cheap and still cheap to make fast.

[bo0oost]

Get the Eclipse Turbo.

[Shok]

Any idea what the power and torque is at those boost settings? Or even better, ETs?




Originally posted by Wolf2600
86-88 Thunderbird TurboCoupe. $3k-$5k for one in great shape. Can boost up to 18psi on the factory T3, 16psi on an IHI (Turbo depends on model and year)

[Wolf]

200hp/240torque

Proabably high 15 second 1/4.

[Clock_Tower]

Please, do not buy an 88-92 Supra Turbo. I had an 88, biggest piece of shit in the world. I had to replace everything but the bottom end. Still paying for that car and I traded it over a year ago. Never was as fast or quick as my 92 LX Mustang. For your price range, I'd say forget about getting a turbo car and get yourself a Mustang. You can thank me later.

Oh, and Thunderbird Turbocoupe? Those are huge bags of crap. Sure, they're in his price range, but man, what garbage. Don't beat up on me too bad here, I have a lot of respect for the SVO Mustang and it's turbo 4-banger motor.

[2fast]

Don't forget about crankwalk, if you buy a newer Eclipse.

[SiN-6]

Turbocharge do need some extra care. but it will last as long as others. its all about maintainance. my V is kicking at around 400hp and shes perfectly in shape.

[WinnipegRacer]

Originally posted by civicman38
the turbos on older cryslers ( lebaron and some other cars. ) burn out meaning go bad either it breaks or does not work as efficiently

lol This is the most uneducated piece of drivle I have ever read... Turbo chryslers "burn-out".. Yeah my 200K non-rebuilt 13 second daily driver Daytona is sure burnt out.. Get a clue..

[civicman38]

look at the date on that post. CRyslers are the biggest piece of shit on earth!!!fuck crysler. They are unreliable pieces of shit. thats why they are always recalled. and yes i have seen those turbos on the lebarons burn out.

[WinnipegRacer]

Lets compare, how about you put 16psi of boost on your Civic and I'll put 16psi of boost on my Dodge and see which bottom end can stand up to it?

I'll be on my way while you are picking bits of rods and pistons off the pavement..

[civicman38]

my civic has absolutly nothing to do with this thread. i am sure my engine wont take 3psi. i was simply pointing out that turbos can burn out. I specifically pointed out the lebaron. Obviously you have moddified your car. do you constantly drive with 16 psi?

[WinnipegRacer]

Every Day... 140 miles round trip.. I just get mad when ppl say "turbos are unreliable" or things to that effect... When all they take is a *little* bit of extra car over NA cars.. Simple things like letting them cool down after running them hard before shutting the engine down...

The turbo mopars of the 80s are probably one of the most reliable examples of factory turbo cars ever.. They were built with the proper internals to handle forced induction unlike similar cars in their class (Pontiac turbo Sunbirds, or turbo Probes from Ford). Their design also incorperated water cooling to the turbo which many other manufacturers over looked when producing their factory turbo cars..

Turbos don't kill motors, ignorant people do.

WR

[civicman38]

some turbos suck. i didnt say all turbos do. well leave it at that

[707nismo]

id get an 86-89 zx 200hp or and 86-91 supra they may be a bit heavy but u can make um go very quick:cool:

[ALL NITROUS LS]

before you do anything check the compression and do a leak down test..it'll save you alot of money