any tips for installing a turbo.....

[TTAfreak]

I will have a TA-49 to put on my TTA this weekend. from what I can see, it looks like a fairly straight forward project.

is there anything I need to look for, or be aware of? I hate surprises.

 

[Russ Merritt]

Match the wastegate hole to the downpipe puck. Make sure the hole is big enough to control boost....

 

[Haynesie]

i found it easier to put the return line on first before bolting all the other stuff up, return line on my car at least was a pita and i just ended up unbolting everything, then just put on the return line first

 

[sixnboost]

If you have the stock return line I would upgrade to the stainless braided one that some of the vendors on here sell.

I would also puts studs in the bottom of the turbo were the return line mounts up. It will make things much easier than trying to hold a gasket and start bolts at the same time.

I also have the stainless braided oil feed line. It makes things easier as well.

Don't forget to clean the crud off the distribution block for the oil feed line before you take the old one off so you don't get any in the new line.

Good Luck

Billy

 

[TTAfreak]

thanks for all the input fellas. im sure all of these points will make my job easier.

 

[ghall]

Anti-sieze on the bolts(don't know if it's a THDP or a stock elbow and DP)---is YOUR FRIEND----because you will have it apart again)---go buy some anti-sieze and coat all bolts.


Geoff

 

[chris2316]

dont tighten up the bolts till you get all the bolts started, also i use high temp copper sealant on the turbo feed pipe , dont go hog wild on it so it doesnt seap out , also put some on the down pipe! tip: turn down the boost until you get your air/fuel right!

 

[rodman99999]

You may want to buy a new copper turbo-to-header gasket before you start the project. After everything's apart is a lousy time to find out the old one is eroded(they're not easy to find at the parts stores).

 

[turbocody]

hey rodman, did you know that buicks from the factory did not come with a gasket between the turbo and header? people only do this as a cure for worped turbo/header flanges. do not use a gasket there! it has a good chance of blowing out or leaking later.

 

[TTAfreak]

hey rodman, did you know that buicks from the factory did not come with a gasket between the turbo and header? people only do this as a cure for worped turbo/header flanges. do not use a gasket there! it has a good chance of blowing out or leaking later.

Cody, thanks for clearing that up for me. did ya get the money today?

 

[turbocody]

yes i did, turbo is boxed up and ready to ship tomorrow!

 

[rodman99999]

hey rodman, did you know that buicks from the factory did not come with a gasket between the turbo and header? people only do this as a cure for worped turbo/header flanges. do not use a gasket there! it has a good chance of blowing out or leaking later.

No- actually, I didn't!! Thanx for the enlightenment. I need to clock my exhaust housing ever so slightly anyway. You just gave me the excuse I needed to get that done this weekend(deleting the gasket).

 

[2QUIK6]

My oil drain line was a royal pain on the TTA, but was not a problem on the GN, seems like the TTA had a shorter line for some reason, it would barely make it around the bigger compressor housing. As for a gasket on the drain line, toss that also, I have never gotten those to seal, instead I used a very thin coating of high-temp copper sealant. That way there is no gasket to try to deal with holding in place and bending two fingers to get a bolt in upside down.
Also, once the turbo is bolted to the header up-pipe and before every thing is connected is a good time to make sure the compressor outlet lines up with you IC inlet, if not, you can loosen the compressor bolts, 4 of them, and clock/turn the compressor housing so the outlet and IC inlet match up perfectly..at least up and down..there's no side to side adjustment.

Oh yeah, on the J-braket the turbo bolts to, the bottom nut holding that J-braket to the block is almost impossible to get off...and once off, it ain't going back on..the top nut and the brace arm that bolts on the top on the intake manifold is plenty to hold it.

You'll be happy with that turbo from Cody, he takes very good care of his stuff and his car is always spotless!.