To turbo or not to buy turbo engine, that is the question.?

Question

I have a 1982 toyota supra with a 2.8l dohc 6 cyl n/a 5m-ge motor in it. I've found that it is possible to drop a tubo 7M-GTE into the car... would the power benefit be better turboing the 5m or getting the 7m? Would I loose a lot of fuel economy?

Answer 1

There is a lot of differences in the two systems as the electronics sensors and such computer , exhaust etc.

If you have the donner car it could be a good swap.  

Answer 2

Even if gas prices weren't so high...I wouldn't own a Turbo anything, UNLESS it was a "Turbo BOOST"; i.e., you can CHOOSE when to 'kick it in'...OR NOT. BUT IF YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FUEL ECONOMY, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS OWNING IT.

You DEFINITELY should have another car to consider Turbo or T.Boost.

(I have a Porsche with the boost, and will assure you, with the gas guage never warning me twice I'm get low on petrol...the BOOST takes a lot of gas...but, when I want it .I WANT IT (assuming I have a gas tank that's not near empty.  Turbo is GR8, but turbo boost is GR8-er!!  I'm serious about having an economical car on the side.

Answer 3

I'd get the 7M-GTE...they make like 200hp stock and apparently the stock exhaust system is so restrictive you can make 100hp by replacing it with something free-flowing. With most cars you'd be happy to see half of that kind of increase. 300hp wouldn't be bad at all and assuming you torque down the head gasket to 72lbs or whatever it should last you a while. The stock torque on the gasket is around 50 and leads to premature head gasket failure.

Answer 4

there is a lot to do with a non turbo block in getting it ready for a turbo. you really rebuild the block and set it up for the turbo with a lower compression ratio. i would go with the built engine and be happy.

Answer 5

Fuel economy will go down as much as the power goes up. Expensive upgrade. Too risky for a 26 year old car. Whatever reliability you have left in that car will be gone.