Turbo Buying Guide Please!

[monkee87 2]

Hi all.

 

I was just wondering if anyone could give me some pointers about buying a turbo'd 205 gti?

 

I've seen one advertised and i'm going to go take a look.. It's got an engine from the 406 sri, that's about all i know about the conversion!

 

Any things to look for? I know what to look for on a normal 205 as i've had several. Usual rust spots etc etc.

It's had a lot of work done and it looks pretty up together. Never owned anything but standard 8v's, so I don't know what to expect from a turbo!!

 

Should be fun though..

 

Thanks, Rob.

[lemmingzappa 75 1 Cars]

From what i've gathered you might be disappointed with the performance from that engine. I've been told it can be quite boring to drive as it's too progressive.

[monkee87 2]

From what i've gathered you might be disappointed with the performance from that engine. I've been told it can be quite boring to drive as it's too progressive.

 

What do you mean by progressive performance?

[lemmingzappa 75 1 Cars]

The way that the power from the engine is delivered, you don't really feel much of a 'thrust'...more of a levelled out smoothness. Which is probably why it feels un-urgent on boost.

Don't take my word for it though, i've never been in one, it's just what i've picked up on here.

[monkee87 2]

The way that the power from the engine is delivered, you don't really feel much of a 'thrust'...more of a levelled out smoothness. Which is probably why it feels un-urgent on boost.

Don't take my word for it though, i've never been in one, it's just what i've picked up on here.

 

I've never driven anything but standard 8v's, so I'm sure it'll be a pleasant surprise! Never been in a 16v or anything, I'd quite like something different too.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Check the Wiring first and foremost as most are bodged in some way or another, Fuel Pipe routing as well. I think they drive like a TD as it was only designed as a get me buy engine for Pug until the 16v engines came out so boost is over in no time at all.

Exhaust manifolds crack for a past time, But hard to check, Make sure Turbo has had a rebuild and really the engine tilted as little as possilble or you'll have Driveshaft issues

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

To the OP, go and drive one and make up your own mind, yes they are very different from a normally aspirated 205, but whatever floats your boat. People giving opinions on something they have never driven is laughable IMO.

[lemmingzappa 75 1 Cars]

People giving opinions on something they have never driven is laughable IMO.

 

If you're referring to my comments, I was only passing on information I had read in the past. I also stated that he shouldn't take my word considering I haven't driven one.

 

If this was my thread I would welcome all opinions !

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

If you're referring to my comments, I was only passing on information I had read in the past. I also stated that he shouldn't take my word considering I haven't driven one.

 

If this was my thread I would welcome all opinions !

 

Opinions are given from 1st hand experience. Not from over hearing someone in a pub, or reading about it on the internet where the source could have already done the same....

 

[monkee87 2]

Thanks guys. It's meant to of had a look over by pug1off and they've said it's all good. Anything else I should know miles?

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Don't take anyones word for it by a long shot is all I will say, I;ve never seen proper wiring from anyone other than a few Specialist Race companies and having been in this game for too many years I;ve seen it all, My background by the way was working on Navel Sub's, Battleships etc

 

Other thing to check is the Boost Electro Valve, other than that all normal checks really

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

Check the wiring as that is the main thing. The standard loom comes out right by the turbo and can melt. The ECU needs to be in a sensible place as the standard loom puts it by the front headlight. Fuel pipes as have been said need re-routeing otherwise they run up by the turbo which is not wise. Check the turbo history too as if this is knackered, you may as well be looking for a new engine as they are *all* knackered second hand and not very common. Avoid bleed valves and winding up boost etc as this will kill a poor condition turbo off quicker and lead to boost spikes etc. Bottom engine mount should be uprated to stop turbo hitting the bulkhead and finally look at how the exhaust has been done as a lot are a mate with a welder jobs and they require some sensible adjustment to get them to fit the exhaust tunnel. On the downpipe, it should have a lambda boss welded in as the ECU needs this in order to fuel properly. Ask if the engine management light has been wired up too a this will give you indications early of any issues. Ideally it should have a 1.9 gearbox in it to make use of the torque and more drivable. If you just want a hooligan car, then get one with a 1.6 box, though it did my head in on a run.

 

I love the way mine drives. Not too much revs so good reliability, bags of torque, and as Miles says, a bit more like a TD. However mine is more set up for a cruiser in a CTI which is what I wanted. It depends how you want to use your car.

[JamieTonks 1]

what car is it buddy. someone may know it?

[monkee87 2]

It's a 1992 Miami. Reg is j149 ofd. He's got receipts for a rebuilt turbo, and the car has full service history. So fingers crossed it's a good one.

[monkee87 2]

Forgot to say, where is the ecu and loom ideally placed on a turbo??

[jesse390 1]

Had a 1.6 with an engine from a xantia turbo and was impressed, Dont know why i sold it, I thought it was fairly quick. I now have an mi and thinking of going back to an 8v turbo. The ecu was floating about were the jack should have been, Not the best, Lashed together but fun nonetheless with the 1.6 box.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Most are around that area due to the 406 (I know) fit's there as std, No idea on others like the XM but I know there's around 6 different looms for the same engine, Not the best place but unless your going to do allot of work your stuck

[sonofsam 5]

At first I had my ECU where the jack should be, then I relocated it to infront of the battery.