So, like many others on a stock turbo that is tuned, I've been frustrated about how just so instantaneous the massive torque hits and creates traction issues ... I have all 3 engine mounts upgraded and traction bar already, I still hated how the power, especially on e30, just hits so hard that I have traction issues. I have been considering even having my boost dialed down in 1st and 2nd gear, something... Well, after tons of research into intakes and exhaust, just for power purposes, I saw where a crossover pipe was actually one of the few mods that does seem to help a bit so I turned to Ron/Whoosh to pick up his excellent priced crossover. I noticed he was still running his special where you could add the inlet at a discount, so I bit and got the combo. The parts sat for a month while I got the right BOV/DV I wanted and could find the time. Well, I finally got it all installed this weekend, it was a near nightmare without a lift, but managed to get in there from the top with the cowl out and from below with the car on ramps and not using a creeper. I had to pull the Whoosh hotside res delete pipe and pulley cover, but got both those side of turbo items in after a lot of cussing and hand tiring from small ratchets and allen wrenches to get those bolts in tightly. See my sig for full mod list, but I still have stock airbox with oiled Mountune drop in and stock induction hose, I didn't want to spend the money for the induction with evap harness for now, but still had heard crossover helps alone and the inlet was "just because" it was a good deal and I can use it later if/when I go hybrid upgrade...
OK, so I'm assuming it is the inlet, but dang! The torque hits MUCH smoother, almost like 1 second extra of all that torque being spread over instead of instantly, so just a touch longer spool in a good way... I tried 2 different 93 tunes and now e30 and it's just amazing! Between the crossover, inlet and TS VR2 EM plumb back, the car sounds and feels like a different, more refined car! Not sure what else to say, but I consider the inlet the best thing I've done to help the stock turbo not act so crazy instant torquey once you are tuned! Only downside is that the turbo spool now sounds like engine ping, which you can tell it really isn't once you listen closer, but still a little weird!
6 week update - OK, so I'm noticing that I'm not hitting full boost and now think I have a small leak. So when I first get up to temp and start some pulls, I'm a good ~1.5-2 psi below each tunes target for max peak and about 1 full psi short of what it would normally be through the powerband. But the hotter I get it, that gap drops some, saying to me that as things heat up and expand small leaks are sealing up better. This is very consistent and repeatable and started not long after installing. Thankfully WGDC isn't spiking much at all so definitely not enough of a leak to make the turbo work harder but still. Honestly, I'm doubting the quality of the inlet combo to seal properly. I don't know if it's at the upper end with the new silicone connector that isn't the greatest fit to begin with or if the outlet to turbo connection itself does not have a good seal. The stock inlet has a rubber ring and the upgraded one does not have the spot to move that rubber ring over to it. I'm going to have to get in there this weekend and check it out and I'll take some pics, that new upper silicone connection has excess material and doesn't seal well I think. I'll start there before having to go back to the turbo backside area.
OK, so I'm assuming it is the inlet, but dang! The torque hits MUCH smoother, almost like 1 second extra of all that torque being spread over instead of instantly, so just a touch longer spool in a good way... I tried 2 different 93 tunes and now e30 and it's just amazing! Between the crossover, inlet and TS VR2 EM plumb back, the car sounds and feels like a different, more refined car! Not sure what else to say, but I consider the inlet the best thing I've done to help the stock turbo not act so crazy instant torquey once you are tuned! Only downside is that the turbo spool now sounds like engine ping, which you can tell it really isn't once you listen closer, but still a little weird!
6 week update - OK, so I'm noticing that I'm not hitting full boost and now think I have a small leak. So when I first get up to temp and start some pulls, I'm a good ~1.5-2 psi below each tunes target for max peak and about 1 full psi short of what it would normally be through the powerband. But the hotter I get it, that gap drops some, saying to me that as things heat up and expand small leaks are sealing up better. This is very consistent and repeatable and started not long after installing. Thankfully WGDC isn't spiking much at all so definitely not enough of a leak to make the turbo work harder but still. Honestly, I'm doubting the quality of the inlet combo to seal properly. I don't know if it's at the upper end with the new silicone connector that isn't the greatest fit to begin with or if the outlet to turbo connection itself does not have a good seal. The stock inlet has a rubber ring and the upgraded one does not have the spot to move that rubber ring over to it. I'm going to have to get in there this weekend and check it out and I'll take some pics, that new upper silicone connection has excess material and doesn't seal well I think. I'll start there before having to go back to the turbo backside area.
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