Doing a custom turbo

[kverges]

You are leading a bit with your chin, here. I will say that the log manifold has some significant durability and packaging advantages. Derelk I did not post in your for sale thread as that is poor form, but I am very confident the fasteners will come loose on your turbo to header mount and downpipe mount with any serious track time - I have had to take pretty extreme measures to get mine to stay together. Not too hard a fix, but I'd sure do it on any install.

The EFI standalone is probably a good idea, as I like my simple piggyback fine for my street car, but it is not optimum. I do need to pass OBDII emission tests, though, and as far as I know, no standalone will do that, so to be fair you should state that this car is off-road unless you plan to try to fly under the radar.

There is nothing terribly novel here in the hardware department, your hardware looks like the turbokits (formerly Hassinger) setup, sans intercooler fans. I commend you for plans to duct airflow for the intercooler - that is how I did my track car but I think the intercooler placement you are using may not be practically duct-able.

These are my 2 turbo project cars, street:




and track:



I will say that the thing I'd be most critical of is not your enthusiasm, but the sort of "mystery" around a project that has really been done in large part before. Nothing wrong with tweaking existing work, but for DIY folks like me I want to see genuine, meaningful tech info that may help me and there is none of that in your postings. I have gotten GREAT info from other users, like ideas on slotting the manifold, oiling system advice, ECU maps, and much more.

I have shared details to try to help out, but you have shared very little. If you are an enthusiast, then put the details out there so others can follow in your footsteps. If this is a marketing effort, well get ready for some more criticism.

[MaineLotus]

Lotuson4-2 - Is this the Hass kit? Except for the 90 degree pipe on the chargecooler, I can't tell the difference. Turbo, manifold and ECU are identical to that kit. Even the chargecooler placement is identical. similiarities in the tune also.

PS - take the advice from Kverges, he's been around the block with this setup. I think the ONLY person with a car still running that had the original Hass kit. Although, there isn't much Hass left in that setup anymore.

[Lotuson74-2]

Yes it is a modified version of it. And KVERGES HAS BEEN HELPFULL IN HIS POSTS and I do appreciate it. I think our manifold mods. will hold - I track the car hard so time will tell.

[Thatoneguy]

I don't understand why everyone is being so though on this guy? Just because he posted a video of the cars first start-up untuned? Give me a break here we are all car enthusiast so cut the bull**** and show some respect. I would be just as happy if it was my car and would post a video. Tuned or not. No need to bash here go somewhere else if you want to do that. This forum isnt for young in-mature mouths to feed on pray behind a computer screen!

[MaineLotus]

Originally Posted by Thatoneguy

I don't understand why everyone is being so though on this guy? Just because he posted a video of the cars first start-up untuned? Give me a break here we are all car enthusiast so cut the bull**** and show some respect. I would be just as happy if it was my car and would post a video. Tuned or not. No need to bash here go somewhere else if you want to do that. This forum isnt for young in-mature mouths to feed on pray behind a computer screen!

History has a way of repeating itself. Frankly, I don't think Lotuson has been completely forthcoming in his thread. First it's for sale, then it isn't. He insinuates a newly developed kit when in fact it's really a Hass POS. He writes with hyperbole as though he's marketing this "kit".

Read up ThatOneGuy, the Hass fiasco cost some people a lot of $$$ and time. Heck, the dam thing even sounds like a Hass turbo.

No offence Kverges - I think it's miraculous the work you've done.

Buyer beware!

[kverges]

No offense taken - frankly the Hass hardware was always fine. I personally think the manifold, once the flange was slotted and fastening improved, is a nice piece that has held up crack and trouble-free. I really do not trust the durability of thin-wall headers on a turbo without independently supporting the turbo and adding slip joints.

The intercooler is decent, too, and positioning it is always tough in the street car.

The problem was always the tune and piggyback. In Hassinger's defense, the first eManage units were defectivly designed on the injector input/output side and I ended up buying an oscilloscope to sort that out.

Remember, those who insist that standaloe is the only way to go that YOU ARE NO LONGER EMISSIONS COMPLIANT AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. Now maybe you have a brother in law deal or some such, but at least my setup has no problems with passing inspection and I do run a cat.

My car has run fine for nearly 4 years with a turbo on it. The big problem is no ability to alter valve timing. I can do it on my track car and I am convinced the intake cam wants more advance under boost to hold good torque over 6500. My track car with standalone has better top-end feel to it.

This setup can work, but is nothing radical by any stretch and should be in the $6000 range, with ECU. to be a good deal.

[MaineLotus]

You have significant expertise and hands-on work with the headers and an oscilloscope to fix the piggy back issue. I would have run out of talent long ago. The normal guy reading this thread is thinking, "cool a new turbo kit". Umm, not exactly...

[Bender Rodríguez]

Originally Posted by lotuson74

No problem. That is why it is going on MY car & I drive it hard a lot. One thing I hate is people that do others wrong! I will not just post some dyno chart then try to sell something (I am doing this for myself, not to sell it) I just figured why not offer it if it works. Once its done, I will proudly offer many peolpe a ride and go to many a track. Too many bad "tuners" out there & I have unfortunately met many of them along the way, Hence my involvement at every step. No offence taken People should be informed (you just taught me who this "Hass" was) I never even heard of that case.

Originally Posted by Lotuson74-2

Yes it is a modified version of it. And KVERGES HAS BEEN HELPFULL IN HIS POSTS and I do appreciate it. I think our manifold mods. will hold - I track the car hard so time will tell.

Out of curiosity you said earlier in this thread that this was the first time you've heard of Hass. It's obvious from the posts and peoples attitude it has a bad reputation. Your seeing allot of that reflected in this thread. If I'm understanding correctly you say your kit is a modified version of it. Was that a choice that was made after learning about the Hass kit?

[Lotuson74-2]

No. That "rogue employee" I spoke of a few posts ago had purchased some of Hass's items without my knowing about it. He then tried to remarket it to me. I learned of this after giving it some thought and things did not add up to me & I had them stop the project. Then through this thread I learned of all the Hass matters. The emoplyee was terminated & sued.
However, the company is good. So, we decided to fix all its problems, improve it and go foward. This is where we are today. I understand peoples fears here but I am very time constrained and computer illeterate.Also, my reputation is important to me. I do not have a map to post yet - but I will very soon and I will try to do a better job of awncering your questions. It was hard to awncwer things when I was still trying to figure it out and put it all together. I hope the last few days have given a clearer picture of what is happening.

[turbophil]

aren't these the turbokits.com parts? I thought they purchased the Haas stuff and then "fixed the broken bits"? I'm not casting judgement one way or the other... just curious if that's the company you're referring to... if proprietary info, then no hard feelings. I'm not a customer, just nosey!

-PV

[Lotuson74-2]

Not to the best of my knowledge. I am unaware where this one terminated employee got some of the parts that we had to fix and adapt. The turbo was my personal specification.

[Lotuson74-2]

Update, We are are finally on the dyno & tuning! The car sounds Umm... a whole lot different (read better) actually, it sounds fantastic now and is only getting better. I expect to give a another update and video this weekend. This kit is nearing completion and I am starting to get excited about the results.

[Kris from DRS]

Originally Posted by kverges

Remember, those who insist that standaloe is the only way to go that YOU ARE NO LONGER EMISSIONS COMPLIANT AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. Now maybe you have a brother in law deal or some such, but at least my setup has no problems with passing inspection and I do run a cat.

Yup, that's why we designed a stock reconnect into our system. You literally unplug the EFI stand-alone and it reconnects to stock in the adapter loom. So you at least have an option for race or street mode.

[Lotuson74-2]

Thanks Kris, sorry for missing that awncer to the question posed.

[kverges]

If you just "reconnect" to stock ECU, will the car run enough to pass an inspection cycle? My car has different injectors and big enough air inlet for MAF that it will not run with the ECU alone, certainly not well enough not to throw all manner of check engine lights for misfire and excessively rich.

[lotusfan5]

Read the complete thread and still very confused.
Is it going to be for sale or not? Are you an official business? have you manufactured any other products for the Elise? Can anyone vouch for your reputation (delivery times, customer service, part quality, etc)

Will these kits come with a warranty? Can you post a link to a dedicated website with complete information?
Looks like a lot of handmade components, do you have a quality system in place to ensure consistency? Are these going to have a ridiculous lead time?

Just curious. Thankyou

p.s. I dont mean this any sort of dickhead way, just wanted to enlighten: answer not awncer.

[Kris from DRS]

Originally Posted by kverges

If you just "reconnect" to stock ECU, will the car run enough to pass an inspection cycle? My car has different injectors and big enough air inlet for MAF that it will not run with the ECU alone, certainly not well enough not to throw all manner of check engine lights for misfire and excessively rich.

Different cars will vary depending on level of mechanical modifications. If you have larger injectors I would think you'd have a better chance by swapping back to stock too. My point is that electronically (as far as the control system is concerned) you can easily revert to 100% stock functionality with our kit. Literally an unplug and plug in a different connector. Then stock ECU is in full control again.

[Lotus F1]

It's a Hass kit plan and simple. I hope you slotted that manifold. I guarantee you will strip your head. I have the Hass kit and it needed several fixes to get it working right for the street. For track use you really need to listen to Kverges.

[Lotus F1]

Originally Posted by turbophil

aren't these the turbokits.com parts? I thought they purchased the Haas stuff and then "fixed the broken bits"? I'm not casting judgement one way or the other... just curious if that's the company you're referring to... if proprietary info, then no hard feelings. I'm not a customer, just nosey!

-PV

Turbokits.com did indeed buy the kit rights from Hass. I know as I had to deal with them in getting the manifold corrected. To turbokits.com credit they where very good with me in getting things fixed. I don't think they are selling the kit anymore as I don't see Lotus listed anymore.

I really don't understand the dynamics of Lotuson74-2 and this kit. There has to be some kind of connection here. The kit is almost completely identical!