Anyone in the Houston area know how to install a turbo kit? I'm considering buying one, but I have never done an install before and would need some help. I can pay in beer and pizza and would be happy to lend a hand for any of your projects. Anybody know where I can get this tuned in the area?

 

lol pay in beer an pizza for a turbo...I'd gladly pay the money to make sure the turbo is put on right.

if you want it done RIGHT and not CHEAP call Jtran.

 

Suggest you pm Charles R. Hill . He is one of the few guys who can do this right - and he can coerce MM into getting your tune done in good time as well . Double bonus.

 

1) Thx, Brett, but it'll take a LOT more than pizza and beer to get me to TX.
2) Not likely.

 

1 was not suggesting you would do it for free - but it would be cheap for the OP to get it done right first time vs get a half arsed install that ends up costing a bundle to troubleshoot.
2 Damn - what does it take to shift his *** ?

 

1) I understood that but I didn't want the OP to misunderstand.
2) I am out of ideas and too busy handling my own stuff to try anything else.

 

1) By the time the OP has actually researched what he needs to do and get for this project, his installation options will become clear.
2) Blood from a stone. Everything gets done in the order it comes in and in the time it can get done. It's not like I sit around all day, amusing myself and waiting for motivation. I have to make an appointment to pee.

 

 

 

Dude, why so serious?

 

By the same token, the BHR Ignition System is handled in the same way; they ship out in the sequence the orders are received. Neither Jeff nor myself have magic connections with one another so as to influence each others' operations due to their individual complexities.

MazdaManiac has his methodologies and I have mine and I am done harrassing him about it.

 

When it comes to install shops in Houston...a couple shops can do it. Team Shift Point can do the install/ Jtran can also do it/ SSA can install it also.

As for tuning...my friends around here have recommended Steve Kan for tuning RX8's that are boosted.

 

That is the second time I have heard the name Jtran. How can I get in touch with these shops? How can I get in touch with Steve Kan?

Also guys, I was only half serious about the beer and pizza thing, unless someone in the area was willing to actually do it for that! What can I expect to pay for a professional install? A tune? Thanks for all the input guys.

 

google jtran lol..professional tune and install will run you a few grand

 

Yeah I found J Tran. It seems like it's not even worth it to boost these cars. I mean a used kit will run $3000 then you need to put at least that much into the install and tune. Really, $6k to boost these cars? I got a deal on mine and didn't pay much more than that to buy it.

 

Sorry?

 

So far from the shops I know...install is for surely less than a grand. If someone quotes you over 1k, then they are asking too much. Keep in mind that if you are missing any little things it could add up little by little, or you want to upgrade certain parts during the install. Tunes at Steve Kan is 550 for boosted 8's.

 

sounds to me like someone didn't do their research before buying their turbo.
Stroudism: a typical turbo install will run you $1,000+ depending on what exactly is being done and if there's any additional accessories being installed (ignition, cooling mods, W/M, etc)

dyno tuning will run you at least a few hundred dollars + dyno time, that is the going rate for just about any car. Kahn is a great tuner and his prices reflect that. You will however get what you pay for with him.

$6k to boost an RX-8 is actually on the low end, we've had users here spend much more then that.

 

If someone quotes you less than $1k, they don't know what they are doing.

 

I haven't pulled the trigger yet, I was looking to buy a used kit here on the forum, but wanted to find out what I'd be getting myself into before I did. I understand you get what you pay for, and I don't mind sparing the extra expense to have it done right. I'm trying to gauge from people who are boosted if the end result is worth the money.

 

I have 2 yrs and 40000kms boosted . Averaging around 300whp through most of that time . More importantly , I've seen over and over and over what happens when inexperienced people on here try to do it .

Can you put up with the extra hassle (and expense) is what you should ask yourself . It is no small task and if you are not into working on your car I promise you months , perhaps yrs of frustration .
If you get an install by someone you knows the 8 and has done it before - that can be minimised . Probably not eliminated though .

As for the end result - if done right , you end up with a superb driving machine . Unfortunately , few that do it ever reach that point of being able to enjoy it .

 

stroud, i am saving till i hit 10grand, when i hit 10 grand i will reevaluate and make sure i still want to go FI. if i do i'm going to go with the esmeril ball bearing turbo kit, bhr ignition upgrade and then have it installed by a pro. you definitely dont want to rush FI...push your car to its limits for awhile and really learn to appreciate it and in the end youll appreciate the boost more.

 

1k here are at very reputable shops. All three of the shops I listed are specialists in building and installing turbo kits. Plus one of those shops have already installed a turbo kit on a local here. Plus I know some of the owners

 

If it's not too much trouble, could you PM me some contact info for these shops? I drove an STi the other day and realized that boosting the 8 would be so awesome. I think they would smoke an STi if done right.

 

At 5psi a turbo 8 will take an STI at 10 .......... total destruction