When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
And so it begins.....UK TDO4, Kraken, Megasquirt <250bhp build
I had agonised for weeks over which turbo I should get, and whether or not I should stay standard or go forged...chopping and changing my mind with every new piece of valuable info I read.....£3k ready to drop on a brand new kit.....and then all that went out the window when this little lot became available at a price too good to turn down:
So that's decided it; I'm staying standard with a TD04 turbo, and probably MS3 mini with the intention of self-tuning *gulp*.
As for turbo, am I right in thinking this is a genuine Subaru item? This is the first time I've even touched a turbo; the shaft has a tiny bit of radial play, but no axial play. Blades all look good from what I can tell. Can't see any cracks. Originally wasn't keen on getting a used turbo, but for the price, I couldn't turn it down and I think it's a good 'un.
So I'm halfway there. I reckon I still need:
-ECU (probably MS3 mini after having been converted from ME442 by you guys
-Turbo fitting kit (I'm hoping this BlackCat kit has all I need? Turbo Fitting Kit. (FULL MONTY) - BLACK CAT MOTORSPORT )
-Spark Plugs
-Bosch EV injectors
-Wideband sensor
I'd probably skip the turbo fitting kit - there's a few things in there you don't need (eg. wastegate fitting kit), and a few things I'd upgrade - I'd look for manfold -> turbo inconel studs rather than steel. They are pricey, but they don't stretch when they get hot, if you ever take it on track you will end up with leaks with standard studs...
As you have a VVT motor you will need a really long oil feed from the filter side of the block, rather than the fitting on the exhaust side which you likely don't have. There may be other places you can take a feed from (VVT actuator, or I have a feeling there's another port at the back of the VVT head).
If you are patient and prepared to hunt down parts you could most likely do it cheaper/better than that kit...
I'd put a new fuel pump (max 255lph) on the list, if it hasn't been changed recently. Cheap insurance.
What about the rest of the exhaust? With that DP it's not going to be a spool monster, but you can always get a decent DP from Kraken anytime you want, if you feel that way. Should be okay for starting.
MS3 Mini is awesome btw, I love mine. The only stupid thing is, I can't get the tach to work, but that's because I have some kind of goofy 1995, 90hp 1.6 car/loom. Will fix that, but the ECU itself is great.
Turbo Fitting Kit looks okay, you'll see how reliable it is after a few months of use, but if the guys use it for customer cars they build for them, why should it be bad?
edit: You have a VVT car, skip the fitting kit like jonboy said. Better source your own stuff
I'd probably skip the turbo fitting kit - there's a few things in there you don't need (eg. wastegate fitting kit), and a few things I'd upgrade - I'd look for manfold -> turbo inconel studs rather than steel. They are pricey, but they don't stretch when they get hot, if you ever take it on track you will end up with leaks with standard studs...
As you have a VVT motor you will need a really long oil feed from the filter side of the block, rather than the fitting on the exhaust side which you likely don't have. There may be other places you can take a feed from (VVT actuator, or I have a feeling there's another port at the back of the VVT head).
If you are patient and prepared to hunt down parts you could most likely do it cheaper/better than that kit...
Appreciate the advice. Yeah, ok, I'll price up individual parts and go for inconel studs.
The PO had taken his oil feed from the VVT unit on the cam cover; I think I've read this can starve the VVT unit itself of oil. I'll have to investigate where I'm going to take this oil feed from.
I'd put a new fuel pump (max 255lph) on the list, if it hasn't been changed recently. Cheap insurance.
What about the rest of the exhaust? With that DP it's not going to be a spool monster, but you can always get a decent DP from Kraken anytime you want, if you feel that way. Should be okay for starting.
MS3 Mini is awesome btw, I love mine. The only stupid thing is, I can't get the tach to work, but that's because I have some kind of goofy 1995, 90hp 1.6 car/loom. Will fix that, but the ECU itself is great.
Turbo Fitting Kit looks okay, you'll see how reliable it is after a few months of use, but if the guys use it for customer cars they build for them, why should it be bad?
edit: You have a VVT car, skip the fitting kit like jonboy said. Better source your own stuff
Hah, yes. For £250 I couldn't say no.
The DP I bought is a 2.5" job. The rest of the exhaust currently on the car is the standard OEM cat (kerching!) -> Hoffman 2.25" midpipe -> Jetex 2.5" back box. I'd replace the Hoffman 2.25" midpipe with something of the 2.5" variety so the whole exhaust system is 2.5". Should I be too bothered about not having a full 3" exhaust on my lowly TD04 setup?
If you are using it on the street you would be OK with good quality standard studs, it's just sustained heat seems to cause issues with them stretching so you will end up with leaks and need to constantly tighten them up.
There's some discussions on here about oil feeds from the VVT unit - some say it's bad, others have done it with no issues. There's some discussions on an alternate source at:
If you are using it on the street you would be OK with good quality standard studs, it's just sustained heat seems to cause issues with them stretching so you will end up with leaks and need to constantly tighten them up.
There's some discussions on here about oil feeds from the VVT unit - some say it's bad, others have done it with no issues. There's some discussions on an alternate source at:
Yeah I would be looking to get that downpipe opened up, everything else looks pretty good! Seems like you got a decent deal
I'd only need to change my midpipe to give me a full 2.5" exhaust system; you don't think that would be sufficient on a TD04? To go full 3" would mean changing everything at a lot of expense; not sure if it would be worth it?
I'm guessing there's not much point in mating a 3" DP to an otherwise 2.5" system?
I'd only need to change my midpipe to give me a full 2.5" exhaust system; you don't think that would be sufficient on a TD04? To go full 3" would mean changing everything at a lot of expense; not sure if it would be worth it?
I'm guessing there's not much point in mating a 3" DP to an otherwise 2.5" system?
I would think 2.5" would be fine! I ran a full 2.5 system with my last t25 setup ~220whp without any issue at all. I just think the downpipe you have could have more expansion area right at the flange before moving to the 2.5 pipe
Another TD04 friend. I've had my TD04 setup on a small restrictive downpipe and full 2.5" exhaust and now I have a full custom 3" DP and full 3" exhaust and the difference is definitely worth the effort and expense but the 2.5 stuff will still be great fun. The biggest thing to your setup is getting a larger diameter cat if you can. I agree with DNM about the FF640s and I personally love the AEM 30-0300 wideband, look into wiring it through CAN if your MS3 will let you. Learning to tune the car seems like a huge undertaking but when you break it down into small steps its much less daunting. Good luck.
Put the wideband and ECU in before doing anyrhing else to get the hang of that. Learning to tune is uh... A time. But very rewarding.
This is my kraken TD04 setup on a 1.6 with a 2.5" kraken down pipe right into a 2" test pipe (no taper, just changes at the flange. Test pipe because my cat plugged up...) And then a 2" ebay cat back that came on the car when I got it. It is right about the 200whp mark since it runs 101mph in the 1/4 at ~2500lb with me in the car.
Good to know my turbo is genuine. Yes, I'll check pressure, but this kit came off a 230hp (crank) car, so it should be suitable.
If going for MS3 mini which has built in wideband, is there much benefit to also having an AFR gauge?
Fate chose the TD04 for me On the subject of restrictive cat, on a VVT, the downpipe replaces the cat does it not? If that's the case then I'll have no cat in the system. I realise this might be an issue come MOT (British annual mandatory car test) time, but I'll cross that bridge and come up with a temporary MOT cat if required.
Yes, tuning does seem daunting, but I do get quite obsessed with things so will probably enjoy the learning; you guys are all very encouraging.
Yep, I'm going to do wideband and MS3 mini first to get to grips with it, then injectors, and then when confident I'll fit the turbo kit.
x_25, out of interest, what 1/4mile time did you run?
05-21-2021, 05:13 AM
And so it begins.....UK TDO4, Kraken, Megasquirt <250bhp build
0
I've had my TD04 setup on a small restrictive downpipe and full 2.5" exhaust and now I have a full custom 3" DP and full 3" exhaust and the difference is definitely worth the effort and expense but the 2.5 stuff will still be great fun. The biggest thing to your setup is getting a larger diameter cat if you can. I agree with DNM about the FF640s and I personally love the AEM 30-0300 wideband, look into wiring it through CAN if your MS3 will let you. Learning to tune the car seems like a huge undertaking but when you break it down into small steps its much less daunting. Good luck.
On the subject of restrictive cat, on a VVT, the downpipe replaces the cat does it not? If that's the case then I'll have no cat in the system. I realise this might be an issue come MOT (British annual mandatory car test) time, but I'll cross that bridge and come up with a temporary MOT cat if required.
