05 LGT needs turbo, head is spinning

[syngen smythe]

I have researched this until my head is spinning. So many different opinions, so here is what I think is a new question with hopefully some simple answers!

 

Long story short: I need a new turbo and up pipe. While I am in there, I am going to upgrade to VF52, upgrade down pipe, and add CAI also.

 

2 questions:

 

Can I tune this myself with something "off the shelf"? If so, what do you suggest and where do I get it? If not, why?

 

With these mods, what am I missing that I should do now? I am speaking in general terms, assuming everything else is working fine. Other mods will come- just wondering what really should be done now along with these.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Mike07LGT]

You will need to get a tune from either a local shop with a dyno or an e-tuner here on the forums. You'll need a cobb accessport or tactrix cable. Dont waste money on a cold air intake, the factory intake is already a cold air style and good up to 350whp at least. Read up on max capacitys posts and his links in his sig. He is running a vf52 on stock fueling with a good tune for quite awhile. Hope this helps!

[whitrzac]

Blown turbo usually results in #ynasb

[Max Capacity]

We need to know why the turbo blew and how bad ?

 

90% of the time the turbo puts metal chips into the oil system.

[fahr_side]

New question not found. Read stickies.

[syngen smythe]

New question not found. Read stickies.

I did; have been for a few weeks. Searching and reading everything. So many options, but could not find a definitive answer to the vf52, up, dn, with no other mods. Maybe it is there and I need to keep digging. Either way, thanks for the effort helping me out.

[syngen smythe]

We need to know why the turbo blew and how bad ?

 

90% of the time the turbo puts metal chips into the oil system.

I will do an oil test & compression check before proceeding and get back to you. Thanks for the heads up.

[syngen smythe]

You will need to get a tune from either a local shop with a dyno or an e-tuner here on the forums. You'll need a cobb accessport or tactrix cable. Dont waste money on a cold air intake, the factory intake is already a cold air style and good up to 350whp at least. Read up on max capacitys posts and his links in his sig. He is running a vf52 on stock fueling with a good tune for quite awhile. Hope this helps!

Yes this is the tip I needed. I will read up on his stuff. Thanks!

 

Good tip on the intake also- I just assumed it would need upgrading with the better flow through the turbo. Thanks again

[fahr_side]

I did; have been for a few weeks. Searching and reading everything. So many options, but could not find a definitive answer to the vf52, up, dn, with no other mods. Maybe it is there and I need to keep digging. Either way, thanks for the effort helping me out.

I know you're being sarcastic, but you're welcome. I spent many hours helping you out, writing the stickies you can't be arsed to read. Start at the 2.5 turbo powertrain section, and forget about being spoonfed.

[08qsm]

Now my head is spinning.

 

You've been reading for weeks? The first question you should be asking is whether or not you need a new shortblock. You don't seem to be worried about this at all with a blown turbo and what sounds like a blown cat in the uppipe.

[syngen smythe]

what the heck guys? i never said the turbo was blown, i said it needed a new one. that is my opinion, and hey, it may even be wrong. i did not go into it because i wanted to respect your time in reading this and get right to the point- what i wanted to install. and i am getting berated for asking questions in a forum? sorry to disrupt your world. i am not very knowledgeable about these turbo cars, and thought i could ask for a bit of advice. i didn't know it was going to piss people off, and i certainly did not expect that. unbelievable.

 

edit: i had already cut open and inspected the oil filter, (no oil analysis yet) and it is MY OPINION that everything is fine. I have restored several muscle cars but have virtually no turbo experience. i just wanted to know about IF i installed these parts, what I might be missing. possibly not knowing the intricacies of these systems, in my research i missed what might be obvious to people that are well versed. lighten up.

[BrianEarlSpilner]

I have researched this until my head is spinning.

 

Long story short: I need a new turbo and up pipe.

 

what the heck guys? i never said the turbo was blown, i said it needed a new one.

 

Maybe you should have made it a long story to begin with... it did sound like you had a blown turbo and uppipe, by your own admission I might add. This is where some of those turbo intricacies you speak of come into play. If your turbo or uppipe were to go then the metal that goes into the engine will most likely cause a spun bearing before your next oil change. No compression test will tell you that.

 

If your turbo and block are good to go then find a tuner (preferably one of the vendors-Cryotune cough cough) and discuss your goals and mods. They can better help you determine what will work best for you. You most likely shouldn't make any attempt to tune the engine youself. You'll need an Accessport or vag com/tactrix cable and laptop to do data logging and tuning.

 

And get back to researching and read all the stickies. Everybody take a chill pill. Remember they were only trying their best to help based on info you supplied.

[Max Capacity]

Should have written, "I want a new turbo" not "I need a new turbo". As you spend more time here you'll understand why.

 

The vf52 is a great choice, I have over 65,000 miles on mine at 21psi on stock fueling.

 

Fine a great Tuner, you be fine. Dave at Cryotune is a good choice for you.

 

Hint, I bolt my turbo on, it's easier then using the studs.

 

Also leave the turbo lose on the up pipe until you have the tmic installed in the TB hose and positioned so you can thread in the two bolts at the turbo outlet to timc.

[BoozeRS05]

You'll need tuned after, see:

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/introducing-stage-1-2-and-3-e-tuning-remote-tuning-191961.html?t=191961

[syngen smythe]

Should have written, "I want a new turbo" not "I need a new turbo". As you spend more time here you'll understand why.

Point taken. I guess the word "need' is open for interpretation. I figure if it is starting to show wear, the shaft is a bit loose, and it has 135k on it, then I "need" a new one. Same with the up pipe- it is the original, a lot of miles, still looks okay but I figure time to replace so I "need" a new one. Anyway, chill pill taken.

 

Thank you all for the tips. This is a great resource.

[syngen smythe]

You'll need tuned after, see:

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/introducing-stage-1-2-and-3-e-tuning-remote-tuning-191961.html?t=191961

Perfect- just what I was looking for. Maybe this is in the stickies somewhere; if it is I missed it. Thank you.

 

Part of the search challenge is that if you search -say "etune" , you get a massive database, with hundreds of total pages. That's all good, but for a guy- newbie or not, to decipher all that, including all the "opinions" that often conflict, it is overwhelming and you end up more confused than when you started.

[BoozeRS05]

There's so much info here it's absolutely overwhelming. I've been here since '07, and I can't tell you/don't want to think about how many hours of reading I have into this site.

[Max Capacity]

It's all a lot to take in, just make a list of things you need, have a plan of what you need to do.

 

Ask questions, that's why we are here.