Cost to COnvert 1991 TX-3 to turbo?

[XCSEDAN]

hey guys,
iv got a mate who wants to convert his 1991 TX-3 to a turbo model,
what parts does he need and how much will it cost?
cheers

[dirty hands]

most buy a donor car and refit and rewire the registerd one
cost is just of the 1/2 cut or whatever

costs less if you can do it yourself most just bolts on

even better to hear the donor engine running turbos can be damaged internally and not show any sign

[VippiN]

Originally Posted by VippiN

Sure is, and it's not difficult either. You'll need the engine and box of course, brake upgrade ( get discs all round from a TX3 ) fuel tank, lines etc, ECU + loom and some engine mounts.

If you do it all yourself i'd say $4k-$5k.
Decent engine = $1.5-2k
Box = $800
Other random **** = $800-$1200
Consumables = $ 200-$1000 depending on quality
etc etc

This info was only four threads down, an easy search could've found your answers.

[XCSEDAN]

CRIKEYS!
i didn't think it would have been that much!
we thought it was just turbo, manifold, piping, get the ECU re-tuned.
his car is also a FWD so will the standard G/B handle the punishment of a turbo?
btw, he is a mechanic, so he can do it all himself.

[XCSEDAN]

also, if the turbo turns out to be to expensive for him,
how can you hot up the Standard TX-3 motor?
ie; cams, pistons, exhaust, air intake ect ect

[VippiN]

Originally Posted by XYSEDAN

CRIKEYS!
i didn't think it would have been that much!
we thought it was just turbo, manifold, piping, get the ECU re-tuned.
his car is also a FWD so will the standard G/B handle the punishment of a turbo?
btw, he is a mechanic, so he can do it all himself.

Internals are slightly different from BP to BPT and the N/A BP isn't stated to handle the power when you just bolt everything on. I think i've seen 50+ BPT conversions and maybe 3 manifold etc bolt ons. That's enough reason for me i'd say!

Gearbox handling the power - Short answer yes, long answer no. It'll handle power of up to ROUGHLY 110fwkw if you treat it nicely. Though hard gear changes will make your box into little crumbly bits on the ground.

Originally Posted by XYSEDAN

also, if the turbo turns out to be to expensive for him,
how can you hot up the Standard TX-3 motor?
ie; cams, pistons, exhaust, air intake ect ect

Think 10k+ to get the potential of the turbo conversion. I know one person who's done the whole hog (BPT in a 1983 Mazda 323 for Rally) and it's cost him I think 20k all up.

You CAN do the BP to BPT conversion on the cheap. Under 3k is doable. Just not advisable. There's nothing worse than spending a lot of money to just have everything die months later if you spent the money doing it right. Know what I mean?

If you played it slow, found good cheap items (which do pop up) and did it 'on the cheap' ..

Engine: $1400~
Box: Use current G series
ECU+Wiring: Free if you mate your current loom with the turbo loom
Mounting: $300~
Consumables: $200

Example.. I remember when everyone said ROB GET A NEW WATER PUMP THE BP ONES DIE AND YOU MIGHT AS WELL DO IT WHILE YOU'RE DOING THE CONVERSION and I didn't listen. What happened? TWO MONTHS after I finished my conversion the water pump died on me. Pain in the bloody ****, had to take the engine out to change it.

Anyway sorry for the essay buddy, anymore questions feel free.

[XCSEDAN]

cheers mate, your help is great!
ill see what he thinks of it.
and yeh he wants more like 120 front wheel killowatts, and he really will give it a hard time i think (hard shifts, burnouts, dropping clutch ect ect)
we have found a retreived stolen vehicle thats had the interior and body parts taken off, its an AWD though. (TX-3 Turbo) its the same model as his i think.
will all the turbo stuff just bolt in?
or will it be a pain to get it all set-up ect ect?

[VippiN]

You can use everything from the 4WD TX3 (when I say that I mean swap the engines, NOT change over the manifolds etc) except the gearbox.

Tell your mate that even the strong turbo gearbox is weak as ****. They are the bad points of the car, and when they cost $800 each, you don't want to act like a clown with them. Dropping clutches, you'll destroy a box in weeks.

[XCSEDAN]

hrmmmm
i think i will tell him that... he wont be happy when he has to drop his own box out lol
is there a stronger box avaliable for these?

[VippiN]

Yes but only in 4WD form. ( Mazda Familia BG GTR ) and you're looking around 2k each for those IF you can find one.

[XCSEDAN]

sounds very expensive....
i think i will tell hime to watch his driving
cheers heaps for that VippiN

[Masquerade]

Even then the GTR boxes are basically the same but for a shot and peened first and second, plus IIRC a wider 5th gear.

Estimate about $4.5k for the whole job.

As for usable parts off the stolen / recovered, you also can't use the carpet, hubs, suspension, gear selector assembly, drivers seat, power steering, drive shafts I think and some other stuff I'm not too sure about (brake booster etc). Also be aware that the stock ECU in the 4WD is lower kw (117kw) than a front cut Jap ECU (134kw) due to our shitty fuel. You might be better off buying a motor from someone with a cheap setup for sale (like mine for $1100!, unfortunately in Adelaide )

Just something to take into account if you're intending to use parts from the car as well rather than just the motor.

Drive any laser, even an N/A like an idiot and you'll wreck the gearbox (as I found out the hard way), so the more power you put through it, the more likely you are to do the damage.

Things to do while doing the conversion is the spigot bearing on the gearbox, waterpump (as vippin said), timing belt (they're like $20 or something), CV seals, oil seals and any vaccum hose with splits (check them all!)

[XCSEDAN]

ok cheers mate!
im not 100% this conversion will happen now, somebody has just given him a stupidly good offer on the car, so it might already be sold.
still the info is handy in case this bloke doesnt come through with the cash.

[photn]

couldnt your mate just buy a 4wd Tx3 turbo for about 5-7k and save the hassle?

just a thought.

[XCSEDAN]

Originally Posted by photn

couldnt your mate just buy a 4wd Tx3 turbo for about 5-7k and save the hassle?

just a thought.

if he had of realised how much he was up for he would have....
but at the time he was strapped for cash, so he got a TX-3 for $2500 with 11months reg and RWC
very good deal, but he's probably selling it now, just need to work out if this other guy is going to come through with the goods.