I want to buy a turbocharger for my 96SE, but I don't want to waste gobs of money on it. Is there a place where I can buy one for fairly cheap, or do any of you have a used one that you'd like to sell? It's either I get a turbocharger, or I get a J-Spec engine... Whichever is most economical. Thanks! Robin Hillman 96 Probe SE

Turbocharging is going to be the best bang for the buck. As for a "turbocharger", are you looking for a kit or a turbocharger unit. If you are looking for a kit, Thomas Knight Turbos is about your only solution, unless you want to build one yourself. As for a turbo unit, check out the salvage yards, or other email list (ex. DSM lists), internet auctions, or an otherwise used turbo, it you are not particular about the size. Don't expect to get away cheap. The car must be prepared for it too, with the biggest most expensive prep work being the clutch. If you do everything yourself it can be considerably cheaper too. My unfinished turbo adventure is looking at about $3800 installing it myself. This doesn't include exhaust system or clutch & flywheel either. Turbonetics T3/T4 Turbocharger Ball Bearing $1400.00 Custom Exhaust Manifold Y $400.00 Miscellaneous Plumbing Y $200.00 Intake Plumbing Y $150.00 Greddy Profec B Boost Controller Y $360.00 Spearco Intercooler $430.00 K&N Cone Filter Y $35.00 Turbonetics Deltagate Y $212.00 Wastegate Flanges Y $18.50 Blow Off Valve Flange Y $25.00 Greddy Type-R Blow Off Valve Y $230.00 Fuel System Walbro Fuel Pump Y $85.00 MAF Sensor Y $160.00 Injector Wiring Clips Y $45.00 440cc Fuel Injectors Y $360.00 Exhaust System 3" Mandrel Bent Exhaust $300.00 (not included in estimate) 3" Catalytic Converter $250.00 (not included in estimate) Muffler $200.00 (not included in estimate) Instrumentation Components Air/Fuel Ratio Meter Y $55.00 Turbo Meter Y $45.00 Don't let this intimidate you though, I have heard of people getting "boosted" cheaper than $2000 using the methods I mentioned earlier. Don't expect a prestine kit, and I must stress, get a clutch. Enjoy, Bryan Pendleton http://members.tripod.com/~bryan_pendleton/index.html >

i would have to go with the FS-ZE 2.0L engine from Corksport. That gives you 65hp and only costs $1600. A turbo does give you more power, but also costs twice as much. And the turbo's for our cars give you 85hp. Go with the J-Spec engine, then put on a header and new exhaust and you got yourself just as much as a turbo would give you. For a couple thousand cheaper. If you have the money, you can always do both. Just my thoughts... Marc

The cost of the FS-ZE may seem attractive, but I personally would be frightened to death at the thought of having to put a new engine in my car. Very intimidating to me, particularly since it would involve a great deal of down-time for my daily driver. So you might want to include installation, which I assure you will not be cheap and any other stumbling blocks along the way, which I assure you there will be something. So the result is a "170 horses" based on factory ENGINE specs. How far will you get with bolt-ons. Lets say 185 HP at the crankshaft, which is probably asking alot. Thomas Knights Turbo kit puts 185 horses to the front wheels, and this is at 8 psi. So you are looking at about 215-220 HP at the crankshaft, again with only 8 psi. With the FS-ZE you are pretty much stuck unless you get some big money out, now with a turbo kit, you can just turn that little knob, until the boost guage reads 10 or more, and you could probably get about 250 horses, and probably still be safe (speculating here). In fact, a guy from FL, Robin, ran 12 psi on his PSE for over a year. He was also running nitrous, which was causing some driveshaft problems 8-). It put him near mid-12s, unfortunately his car was stolen. There is just alot more opportunity with a turbo kit. Enjoy, Bryan Pendleton http://members.tripod.com/~bryan_pendleton/indexp.html >

acording to corksport the engine matches perfectly. So why not buy a better engine and if 250 horses is what you want strap a turbo on the jspec? Your maximum potential with the jspec is greater than the stock engine. If all your gonna do is one or the other than the new engine will be more reliable in the long run, the turbo will give you more power with more wear on your engine. If your like me you will never be finished trying to make the car go fast so I want a better engine platform to start with. -Rob

Just a speculation here but the j-spec 2.0 prob has too high a compression ration to be turboed. Not saying that it is not possible but most of these import engines get most of thier extra power form high compression. That plus boost is tricky. If you want just a drag car, then I would say go for it. But if you want a daily driver I would have to say use what you got, in the long run it would be more reliable. Kevin 95 Probe SE 5spd Pilot SS Muffler, Bosal Tip, Test Pipe - Nology Wires & Plugs - K & N Cone Filter, Cutom Cold Air - Eibach Springs probesvt@... http://www.crosswinds.com/~probesvt/

This was going to be my next comment. These high horsepower small displacement engines are almost always extremely high compression engines, which doesn't match well with turbo applications, because with a turbo you are effectively raising the compression ratio. Currently very little is know about the jap engine, except that it delivers 170 ponies at 6800 rpm. At least it is a high reving engine. 8-) The changes may be something as subtle as a cam profile difference, who knows? Would be worth some research though, because I would sure like to push the power band a little higher in the rpm bracket. Anyway, sure if you had the money go for the jap spec, just drop in some low compression pistons or a thicker head gasket to lower the compression ration to about 9 or less, slap on a turbo and you have a 7000+ rpm screamer. Sounds expensive though. 8-) My idea is to slap a turbo on the stock 2.0L, when it tears up, then look into the FS-ZE. Same price, I just get MORE POWER sooner than if done the other way. GHU GHU HU HU HU HU 8-) (That was suppose to be the Tim the Toolman Taylor "more power" laugh) As for engine swaping, regardless of what anyone may tell you, I feel something is always going to jump up and bite your butt, when doing a engine swap. Problem arise, and you need other parts, or replacement parts, or you need to fab something, but similar problems arise with any turbo installations too. My point is it will be more than $1600, I can assure you. In fact, have you checked into the shipping of a motor from Corksport to your shop/house. Isn't that alone $200-$300? Seems like I read that somewhere, unless of coarse you drive there and get it yourself. Enjoy, Bryan Pendleton http://members.tripod.com/~bryan_pendleton/indexp.html >