[DarthNul]

In another a week or two I’ll be ready for the ATP big turbo kit install. Unfortunately, due to other stuff eating up my free time, and not being able to do without my daily driver for the length of time it’ll likely take me to finish, I’m looking for professional services in the twin cities area.

If any of you can recommend a shop or independent professional mechanic near me, plz let me know. I need somebody who can turn it around in a day or two, and who won’t whine too much about me already having all the parts.

If this is the wrong place for a post like this plz point me to the right place. Thanks in advance!

 

[junits15]

Its a fine place to post this don't worry about that


DO worry about who you select to do this, is there absolutely no way you can do it yourself? Its a 2 day process (allowing time for mistakes) if you're committed to it the whole time.

I had mine installed for me but the guy who did it was very experienced and has installed dozens of these turbos. I'd hate to hear you come back with a stripped oil passage, or an improperly installed boost solenoid because you got a bad shop to install it.

 

[rob99rt]

Agree with Junits here... In all likelihood they're going to have your car at least a day or two, and probably closer to 3 as they get the turbo installed for you. Then, you're taking the chance that they may be paying more attention to the time they quoted you and getting it out the door vs doing it right... Are you willing to take that chance? I wasn't... so I did it myself.

The swap honestly isn't THAT hard to do. Proper tools go a long way, especially on getting the coolant lines disconnected. You'll want one of these to make life a lot easier: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003D3N7YW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I took my time and had it done in about 10 hours of work, if I remember right, and that was with a lot of youtube video watching mixed in to be sure I was doing things correctly. BTW, are you getting a junits/michaelST elbow to replace the ATP elbow? I'd highly recommend it as it'll make the head less likely to crack since it's port matched.

Have you talked to a tuner about getting a base map to install on the car? You'll want to do that either immediately before or immediately after the turbo install before you fire it up. You can't safely run a map for the stock turbo on a big turbo. That'd go sideways in a hurry.

 

[DarthNul]

DO worry about who you select to do this, is there absolutely no way you can do it yourself? Its a 2 day process (allowing time for mistakes) if you're committed to it the whole time.

I hear ya! I know some good repair shops but they don’t do this kind of work so they're not in the running. My available time this summer is will be about 4 to 6 hours on some Saturdays so that’s not going to cut it. I’d have to leave it on the driveway the whole time because my garage is too small. If I left the car up on jackstands in the driveway for a month, I’d be missing more parts than I’m planning to put in

I have found one shop that does performance type work about 40 miles out but they can’t get it in until late July and they want $850 just for the post-install tune. Their estimate for the turbo install is reasonable but they are only interested in doing that if they tune it. They’re my plan “B”. I want to find someone closer to Minneapolis with tuning options.

 

[DarthNul]

I took my time and had it done in about 10 hours of work, if I remember right, and that was with a lot of youtube video watching mixed in to be sure I was doing things correctly. BTW, are you getting a junits/michaelST elbow to replace the ATP elbow? I'd highly recommend it as it'll make the head less likely to crack since it's port matched.

Have you talked to a tuner about getting a base map to install on the car? You'll want to do that either immediately before or immediately after the turbo install before you fire it up. You can't safely run a map for the stock turbo on a big turbo. That'd go sideways in a hurry.

I plan to use Edge for e-tuning or do a Dyno tune if the shop doing the work has one. I’d have the Edge base tune on my accessport and ready to go if I go that route.

The MichaelST Junits elbow is already in the box with the ATP (GTX2860r-gen2) kit!

 

[Phil449]

Total project time for me was 16 hours with lots of time figuring things out. I used the edge auto sports big turbo install sticky and the vacuum routing thread. I took my time and double checked EVERYTHING. 16 hours also included adapting the stock intake, changing fuel injectors (intake manifold removal), spark plugs, new O2, etc.

I’ve done a fair amount of wrenching and of all the projects I’ve done this one was not bad. I honestly used far more foul language installing an alternator and water pump on this car than the turbo.

my vote is DIY.. can knock it out in a full weekend.. also, then you know the system in case you need to fix it later. Just my .02, but you will be much better equipped to maintain it if you do the install.

 

[sc00by]

Do ti over a weekend. Come Monday if it isn't done you got covid and get to work remote.

 

[DarthNul]

Do ti over a weekend. Come Monday if it isn't done you got covid and get to work remote.

I’m already working remote 99% of the time.

 

[DarkFocusSt]

I'd recommend you check out jm automotive, they did an amazing job on my wrx when I had them pro tune it

 

[STallion18]

I'm not local, just did a Google search that gave me this list. You may research deeper.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=c62b...bm5lYXBvbGlzLW1uL3BlcmZvcm1hbmNlLXNob3A&ntb=1

 

[-whiteST3-]

I'm not local, just did a Google search that gave me this list. You may research deeper.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=c62b...bm5lYXBvbGlzLW1uL3BlcmZvcm1hbmNlLXNob3A&ntb=1

Such a STallion 😂

 

[DarthNul]

I'd recommend you check out jm automotive, they did an amazing job on my wrx when I had them pro tune it

Can they do the turbo install too or just the tune?

 

[ddfred]

Can they do the turbo install too or just the tune?

According to Google they do most everything for Subaru and Mitsubishi, but yo could always call and ask. Here is just one page from their website.

Service - JM Automotive

JM Automotive specializes in service of Subaru's, but branch out to all makes and models. Our services include maintenance and repair.

www.jmautomn.com

 

[DarthNul]

According to Google they do most everything for Subaru and Mitsubishi, but yo could always call and ask. Here is just one page from their website.

Service - JM Automotive

JM Automotive specializes in service of Subaru's, but branch out to all makes and models. Our services include maintenance and repair.

www.jmautomn.com

Well, they have the same initials as me so they must be good right?

 

[ddfred]

Well, they have the same initials as me so they must be good right?

Let me Google that...I'll get back to you.

 

[DarkFocusSt]

Yeah they install parts as well, I think they MAINLY focus on subaru and mitsubishi, but I'm pretty shure they do any vehical that's tuned with an accessport

 

[-whiteST3-]

Its a fine place to post this don't worry about that


DO worry about who you select to do this, is there absolutely no way you can do it yourself? Its a 2 day process (allowing time for mistakes) if you're committed to it the whole time.

I had mine installed for me but the guy who did it was very experienced and has installed dozens of these turbos. I'd hate to hear you come back with a stripped oil passage, or an improperly installed boost solenoid because you got a bad shop to install it.

Stripped oil passage? Is that you’re calling the oil return? I think I may have over tightened the oil return tube to the block. The leak is very slow and only happens at WOT. One or two drops overnight if just sitting

Thinking I’ll have to use a heli-coil? Any experience with those?

 

[turbod2.0]

Did you ever able to install this yet? Where are you in MN? RS Motors would be my suggestion. MA Performance used to do installs but not sure if they still do them.

 

[DarthNul]

Did you ever able to install this yet? Where are you in MN? RS Motors would be my suggestion. MA Performance used to do installs but not sure if they still do them.

Yes! It’s done. Apparently, being a specialist in Ford performance means V8 Mustangs only so RS motors couldn’t do it. I went with Adam at Tune Plus. They do lots of RS and ST work. Adam did a street tune for 91 Octane and a dyno tune for E-30. She’s making 365 WHP on E-30. I need an XDI HPFP or aux fuel to go any higher but without an LSD, I can’t effectively put down the power I already have until somewhere in 3rd gear.

I may go with the XDI anyway before the snow flies and deal with the diff in the spring (if I can convince myself to spend the $). The XDI I sn’t the cheapest route but it is the least complicated, and for reliability reasons, I do not like the idea of major surgery on the wiring harness required for aux fuel.

 

[TurboGT]

Don't believe the hype, LSD isn't the be-all end-all to forward traction. It makes a phenomenal difference when accelerating through turns, but straight line traction was only improved by a small margin for me. I'm at 340whp.

Making more power just exposed the glaring flaw that is front wheel drive.