protege experts! help me choose a turbokit!
 

i know theres no way to make our cars significantly faster with out going with force induction so i am really considering this route. I have a 03 protege es that is stick. i know there aren't many choices so could someone guide me to the right direction. I am more concerned about reliability and drivability than crazy peak power and high boost. Something that gets full boost before 3k rpms , runs 4-6 psi and will give 50-70 whp is what i'm looking for. A kit that has some sort of engine management is preferable. And last but not least.. it has to be affordable. under $3500.00. Enlighten me my fellow protege enthusiast!

Any input appreciated
*proslug*

wait for the W.O.M.P supercharger kit

yeah, I love turbo's and all but it sounds like all of your requirements will be met by my supercharger.

However, hands down the 2 best turbo kits on the market are the Wagner and Hiboost. Here's my take on it.

Wagner kit, very well designed and built amazing power poetential.

HiBoost, not designed as efficiently but inclusion of the Haltech F10X fuel computer allows much safer operation and more overall power.

Both kits will cost about $3700 or so plus any installation or additional supplies you'll need.

what about the Mental Addiction kits...seem well designed...

I saw one and honestly It looked 100% identical to the Wagner kit even down to the heat shield!! They both use the same fuel management, same style header, same bar/plate intercooler.....I don't see ANY difference.

The hiboost uses a log-style manifold which isn't as efficient, it has/had a backwards postioned turbo requiring the intake to draw across the motor and around to the MAF for inlet air...doesn't seem real efficient to me either. You can't deny their power though when they put down 214whp on 8psi. Other kits are running 180whp on the same 8psi. That shows you what a good EMS will do for you.

p.s. I'm using the exact same Haltech that the hiboost kit uses and my blower is TONS more efficient than a hot turbo. I can't wait to dyno.

what kind of turbo is used in the hiboost kit? It doesnt say on their website. And which kit includes a faster spooling turbo. Usable power is more important to me than peak power potential.

another well proven and well designed kit is the BEGI

current Hiboost cars use the IHI turbo...Wagner uses a T3 or hybrid T3/T4....MAM uses a T28.

I would say the MAM turbo would spool faster but the difference in spool time between a T28 and T3 would be unnoticeable without testing equipment.

could it be the ihi vf-series turbo thats popular in the wrx community? I'm pretty familiar with those. If someone knows specificly which model of ihi the hiboost kit come with that would be helpful.

too many acronyms..

yes it is the VF series last i heard.

do not and i mean do not.....
 

dont purchase the essential speed kit. it is out of canada and looks nothing like what you ordered when you get it. it is vey ineffiecient, lacks any fuel management, the turbo is the smallest thing ive ever seen. im in the process of building my engine and had to have a manifold custom made, buy a new turbo and have all new piping made. basically the shop told me this is the worst kit they have ever seen.