Thinking of Going Turbo in your GP?

[txslow6]

First off let me just say that I’m by no means an expert when it comes turbos. This is just a guide to help you get started and help shed some light in your quest for more power.

Don’t get the impression that you can slap a turbo kit and automatically make 700whp. You need to be realistic with your goals and as I always say, aim low so there is little to no disappointment.

What are the major components to the kits on the market?
Turbo
Turbo Crossover
Turbo Downpipe aka upper downpipe
BOV-Blow off Valve
Wastegate

Misc. stuff
Oil line for turbo (journal bearing)
Intercooler (optional but recommended)
Vacuum lines
Valve cover breather
Injectors
Fuel pump (optional but recommended)
Gaskets
S/C block off plate if supercharged
Couplers
180 tstat
PCM tune

Let’s look at the turbo kits available and some of their differences:

Cartuning

-Comes with a PT-61 (On center exhaust housing)
-Wastegate perch is bolted to the rear manifold
-2.5” stainless steel exhaust from turbo
-42lb injectors included
-LT1 MAF
-PCM included
*Bolts directly on the car with no modification unless you have a 97 Grand Prix
If you have a 97 the upper downpipe needs to be modified to clear your ABS. For some extra coin the vendor will do it for you.*

-Front powerlog from ZZP will bolt to this, but a rear will NOT
-Cartuning does offer a rear ported exhaust with the #6 primary turned


ZZP Z3 kit

-Also known as their budget turbo kit
-Borg Warner 56mm turbo
-LT1 MAF
-Powder coated intake pipes
-Wastegate perch is bolted to the rear manifold
-TIG welded 304 stainless steel crossover
-TIG welded 304 stainless steel 2.5" downpipe
-PCM included

-Must have/purchase a TOG lower downpipe or weld in short downpipe
-rear powerlog will not work
*If you have a 97 the upper downpipe needs to be modified to clear your ABS. For some extra coin the vendor will do it for you.*

ZZP Z7 kit

-Precision Turbo T61 turbo
-TIG welded 304 stainless steel crossover
-TIG welded 304 stainless steel 2.5" downpipe
-LT1 MAF
-Powder coated intake pipes
-PCM included

-Must have/purchase a TOG lower downpipe or weld in short downpipe
-Rear powerlog WILL work
*If you have a 97 the upper downpipe needs to be modified to clear your ABS. For some extra coin the vendor will do it for you.*

Stattama Kit

-Also known as I’m the baddest mofo sold
-T67 turbo
-Front and Rear 304 stainless powerlogs
-3 inch 304 stainless downpipe (97 owners will need to remove their ABS system)
-Intake pipes are powder coated
-Small diameter brake booster
-Boost controller included
-PCM included

Supporting Mods
NONE-You can bolt on the kit from any vendor and go

Coming from a S/C build?
Headers will NOT work (unless you have some super awesome fab skills and custom making your own kit).
Aftermarket Downpipe (i.e ZZP 3” dp) will need to be sold pending which kit is purchased.
Front Powerlog can be used and is a great mod in addition to any turbo kit.
Rear PEM is perfect for a CT or ZZP Z3 kit.
Catback exhaust will bolt up to all the kits.
Cam will depend on which one you have. I always recommend going with a turbo cam, however many have used their XP cam with success.
1.9 Rockers will work nicely with any turbo kit.
42# injectors will work, but it’s nice to have some cushion for growth when you are ready to mod further. If you haven’t upgraded over your stock GTP injectors look to 60#, unless considering E85 then move to 80#.
Throttle body any will work
LIM will work in stock form however some owners do open it up to allow more flow.
Intercooler should be sold as it won’t work with the turbo setup. ZZP did make a W2A core that went through the M90 case at one time, but it’s not showing on their website. With that being said some form of intercooler should be considered.
fuel pump is recommended. If you are looking to go turbo then you should at least consider it.
PCV will need to be blocked


M90 blockoff plate will be needed. Basically you remove the snout, take the rotor pack out, and then bolt this to the end of the M90 case.
M90 block off installed with CT kit:

Coming from a NA build?
Headers will NOT work (unless you have some super awesome fab skills and custom making your own kit).
Aftermarket Downpipe (i.e ZZP 3” dp) will need to be sold pending which kit is purchased.
Front Powerlog can be used and is a great mod in addition to any turbo kit.
Rear PEM is perfect for a CT or ZZP Z3 kit.
Catback exhaust will bolt up to all the kits.
Cam look to a turbo specific one.
Rockers will work nicely with any turbo kit.
42# injectors will work, but it’s nice to have some cushion for growth when you are ready to mod further. If you haven’t upgraded over your stock injectors look to 60#, unless considering E85 then move to 80#.
fuel pump is recommended. If you are looking to go turbo then you should at least consider it.
HVII/III work nicely with any turbo kit.
PCV will need to be blocked.

L36 topswap with CT KIT

Additional “Mods”
Boost Controller-No longer will you have to change wastegate springs to adjust how much boost you are pushing. Prices vary depending where you purchase.
A2A Intercooler-Cooler IAT=better tuning, increased power, increased boost can be purchased through a vendor or make your own using ebay.
Turbo Blanket-Keeps underhood temps down.
Nitrous-Nice way to cool the intake charge and would only require a tiny “pill” to accomplish.
Methanol-People have used with good success
Turbo Timer-Yes you can use them, but you can also just drive normally before you arrive to your destination, then leave it running for 20-30 seconds in the parking lot.
IC Spray bar I’ve seen mixed reviews. You can purchase them or build your own.
Tuning-The vendor's PCM are a great way to get started, but it's imperative at some point you do a custom tune tailored to your mods. This will ultimately give you the full benefit of going turbo.


Real World Results
N/A L67- 142whp-M90 block off, open cone intake, 2.5" dp, Intense Racing OG PCM, 18" wheels

TGP- 266whp- 10 PSI, intercooled CT kit PT 61, M90 block off, 2.5" exhaust, 42lb injectors, CT PCM, , L67 MAF, 42lb injectors, 18" wheels

TGP- 286whp- 11 PSI, Intercooled, CT kit PT 61, M90 block off, plog, 2.5" exhaust, LT1 MAF, ZZP PCM, 42lb injectors, Racetronix fp, 18" wheels

TGP- 346whp- 12 PSI, Intercooled, CT kit PT 61, M90 block off, plog, 2.5" exhaust, cutout, LT1 MAF, ZZP PCM, 42lb injectors, Racetronix fp, 1.9 rockers, 16" wheels

OTHER TURBO RESULTS
Greg Badass http://www.grandprixforums.net/results-turbo-gtp-71448.html

284.6whp/413.1wtq @ 9.5 psi
343.3whp/514.4wtq @ 14 psi

mods-PT61 Intercooled CT KIT, Stattama ST2, L26 Intake, Crow Cam 105#, Manley Retainers, Racetronix Fuel Pump, 60# Injectors, NGK TR6 spark plugs, 180 t-stat, Stock exhaust, Dyno Brian tune

SepGT2-Other forum

339.2 WHP/358.6 WTQ @ 13 PSI

mods-ZZP Z7 Turbo Kit Turbonetics 62-1 turbo, 42.5# Injectors, LT1 MAF, 160 tstat, A/A IC, Ceramic 3inch DP and turbo cross over, Tial Blow off valve, 3 inch ZZP SS exhaust, ZZP Resonator, Stock mufflers, 3 inch cutout

 

[blakgtp]

real nice write up man. could could you add the price for each kit though?

 

[txslow6]

I didn't add the price because they can change over time. To keep it current I did make each kit name clickable that directs you to the product with pricing.

 

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

Sticky'd this thread.

Good read.

 

[tod1d]

who on here has the Stattama kit?

 

[BlackGS]

I have the Stattama kit in twin-charged configuration, and have been running this on my daily driver for about 4 years now. I'm on the second turbo - the first was a Turbonetics T72, which lasted about 30,000 miles, and now I run a Comp 6765 billet.

 

[Oxfire]

This is perfect for me considering my most recent purchase.

 

[EJOUIE]

so for a 97 the biggest downpipe I can have if I still want ABS is 2.5"?

 

[txslow6]

so for a 97 the biggest downpipe I can have if I still want ABS is 2.5"?

If you want to retain your factory ABS then yes that is correct. If you are feeling froggy enough you could swap to a newer style.

 

[t24moore]

Although not recommended a SC intercooler W/A setup will work if youre using an M90 housing. In some instances it is actually more beneficial because you spool faster and you can do things like adding ice to further cool the air.....but no one does it. For drag racing its better but tend to become heat soaked with prolonged use unless youre using ice or some chemical to further the cooling. Also, you dont lose boost like you do by going thru the A/A FMIC. Long story short, if you already have a SC setup and are modding on a budget your IC setup will work for you. Hell if a full size IC can cool down the blast furnace of a M90 then a turbo should be no sweat. lol

EDIT: Awesome write up! Also note that you can fit a 3" downpipe in 97 by using a smaller brake booster, it just has to be custom made. Tengis on here had 97 turbo car with this.

 

[BlackGS]

Although not recommended a SC intercooler W/A setup will work if youre using an M90 housing.

I ran this way for a while when I first installed the turbo. If tuned right, it will support up to about 15psi (I ran mid 12's @110 on pump gas). I have since installed another w/a core after the turbo.

 

[deadsnake]

Where can I get my hands on a LT1, LS1 TB+ MAF set up for my turbo set up?

 

[MoarkatsINmuhtrailer]

Why do you need it?

 

[deadsnake]

My TB and maf are toasted and with my turbo set up I would like to get a better TB+MAF

 

[MoarkatsINmuhtrailer]

Just stick with a 99 l67 tb and maf. Unless you need the space from an ls1

 

[txslow6]

My TB and maf are toasted and with my turbo set up I would like to get a better TB+MAF

Ported factory TB is all you need. The MAF you would be better off going with an external such as a LT1 (complete plug and play) unless you get a modified MAF for your L67 TB that will give you some more wiggle room when upping the boost.

 

[Performance nut]

I noticed you put some numbers down for various modification levels, which is awesome. Anyone have any dyno info? If not, when do the various turbos start spooling up?

 

[txslow6]

Typically the lower the A/R the faster the turbo will spool. You could always install a nitrous kit to help with spool. Many have used that method with great results. Spraying the nitrous pre turbo.

 

[SgtMarshal]

do you get better turbo results with a na or a supercharged? im thinking about buying a newer grand prix to turbo.

 

[gtpeddie]

in your opinion was it worth the money to turbo your GP? curious because i have diamond pistons and may possibly go turbo in the "future" depending on how much i like my GenV IC set up.