Technical Turbo swap

Currently reading:
Technical Turbo swap

Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
461
Points
104
Location
Stoke
Ive had my vl38 sitting in the cupboard for a few months now and want to get it fitted soon. Don't really want to pay someone to fit it as I need the money for a custom exhaust and remap so im wondering how hard a job the swap is?

Any help appreciated :D
 
Hey dude, I would personally get it fitted by a mechanic, I did and they had trouble getting a couple of the bolts off and that. It actually took them four hours altogether to fit it with all the right tools so if you did it at home and something buggers up your left with an un drivable car until you can get it sorted.
 
i fitted mine myself on the drive, didn't find it too tough but an extra pair of hands would help!
 
Hmmm, going to take my engine cover off soon for a new paint job so will have a proper look and see if i can get my head around it.
 
After you've taken off the heat shields surrounding the turbo you'll see four pipes going into it. The top and bottom are oil feeds and the front and back ones are coolant. It's best to drain all coolant and oil/oil filter and replace with new when changing the turbo. You can keep the same manifold and just undo the metal ring which holds the turbo onto it. Carefully take out the turbo and straight swap the new one without damaging the compressor. You'll need a jubilee clip for the boost side which goes to intercooler as it's the factory one time use ones. Hope some of this info helps..
 
I think the ihi t-jet turbos are more reliable and he hasn't got a dodgy reconditioned one.

How do you know that they are more reliable? and he never stated if it was a recon or not, you still get faulty new turbos, thats why the grandes have had issues with them.;)

I would still check the seals anyway, it doesnt hurt to look at them. :)
 
Last edited:
How do you know that they are more reliable? and he never stated if it was a recon or not, you still get faulty new turbos, thats why the grandes have had issues with them.;)

And by the way, its usually a recon turbo you get from the fiat warranty when it goes. I should know, I'm on my second one for my yellow grande.:rolleyes:

I would still check the seals anyway, it doesnt hurt to look at them. :)

It's not a recon but straight off an abarth 500. I haven't heard of a single Tjet turbo oil seals going yet and that's in grande punto, alfa mito and abarth 500/gp. Only turbos going on mjets.

But yeah it is good practise but there won't be a problem with it.
 
Back
Top