This is probably going to go down in flaming sarcasm, but I'm going to try anyway!

As the new owner of a turbocharged tC, I have been looking for a list of things you SHOULD do and things you SHOULDN'T do in order to get the best performance and longevity out of your setup, but haven't found an all-inclusive thread. I thought everyone could chime-in with their tips or warnings. Perhaps we could all learn something useful!

 

If you have the cash, have your shortblock done

 

watching

 

do:
have fun
study your car
realize the symptoms that lead to problems
-sudden lean conditions ussually mean boost/vac leak
-gradual rich condition ussually means broken o2 sensor
-understand the afr's and what they mean, 18.0 is bad but it also means that theres somehting else wrong
ask us questions, don't hesistate; there's no reason to hold back

don't:
don't turn boost above what we reccomend
don't give up
don't fret
don't worry too much, your car will be fine.


that's about it.....theres not much to do with a turbo but listen and make sure you're remembering what you are doing...there's a bunch of more stuff you have to take care of when you're turbo

 

o....
dont run 10 psi on a stage 0 cuz then you have to buy a new wastegate spring and turn the boost down to 4 psi cuz the 10 psi partially blew the turbo seal

 

Do:
Listen to your car for funny sounds, watch your gauges, make sure your boost and AFR's are in good range

Dont: run lean, nor too rich, and try to save money by buying cheap parts!

 

hey enjoithis, would you mind sending me that map of yours?

itd be awesome if u would since we live relatively near each-other and the conditions are the same

u have my email right, i think i PMed u

 

Watching.

 

also watching.

 

the best advice I can geve you is EXPECT stuff to go wrong and youll never be dissapointed...lol #2 dont run the crap out of your car all the time its fun to get on it but dont drive it like you stole it all the time. #3 change your oil.... basic mantanance its the key to longevity.

 

** Synthetic oil

and watch your speed because you can get going over 100 before you know it!

 

yea, it's really easy to go fast and not realize it when you're turboed

 

Do not turn off ur car immidetely when you reach your destination, let the turbo relax before u cut the gas,

 

DO NOT be cheap about it. Whatever you're cheap on is going to either fail, bite you in the ___, or both.

DO ask questions and make gratuitous use of the search button. Every single concern that pops into your head, chances are someone else has wondered the same thing.

That being said, DO listen to the community when we say something. Plenty of people before you have asked for advice, ignored it when it wasn't what they wanted to hear, and then we never heard from them again (presumably because their car blew up). Don't be one of those guys. Going in with an open mind and an open wallet will make you a very happy camper... er, driver.

Two specific good ideas that have already been mentioned are watching your AFR and not turning the car straight off. Getting wideband AFR/boost/EGT gauges will provide you with a good deal of information about how your pride and joy is performing (or not performing), and getting a turbo timer will save your turbo setup.