As I like to counterpoint, I will do exactly that. I got my greddy 'kit' used from WantedTwo with an E-01 for $2.5k, installed it 'ourselves' (very very major help from rkostolni), did the severed injector mod, tuned it and went. I have done ALOT of extra work, but that was all i needed to run. The driveability quality is compareable to that of the Int-x (but less definitely not as tuneable.) This is not a weekend job though. I have been working on the turbo-side of the car alone since this time last year.

Way under $3k. Chump change compared to what is discussed above.

 

well, with a used GReddy kit with some dicounted electronics if you go bare bones (not recommended), I guess you could spent as little as $3.5k.

But you can't go into a turbo project trying to take shortcuts and as little possible to save green. You really need to have a generous budget set aside for misc parts you forgot and incase anything goes wrong.

I was seriously close to getting the GReddy kit with my tax rebate, but it barely covered it, so after more careful consideration I didn't because if anything went to hell (like my motor) I would be left holding the bag and a non-driveable car. I decided to hold off buying a turbo kit until I have another $3-$4k set aside to fix anything that may go wrong. But mainly for peace of mind.