S148 from Turbo Technics

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CalMac
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S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by CalMac »

So I'm replacing my turbo as it appears that the exhaust impeller has dismantled itself.

Spoke to Turbo Technics and they've suggested a rebuilt 'improved' version of my old CT20 for £400+VAT, or an S148 for £600+ VAT.

I really can't be bothered with having to get the car mapped/forged/bla as it's been broken a few months now and I miss driving it - am I best to just go for the rebuilt 'improved' CT20 (I'm guessing steel shaft and probably not ceramic internals?) - hopefully this can just be bolted on and run as it was before the turbo sh*t itself?

Or can the S148 equally just be bolted on and run at lower boost? 0.9 bar? Or will it be crap and not really use the potential of the turbo by restricting it like this?

It's a Rev 3, PP Dep2 exhaust, Berk DP, Greddy SMIC, ARC airbox, DUAL SBC - so I've got supporting mods all in place (unless I'd need to change the fueling setup and run an aftermarket ECU with wideband for the S148?)

If I was to go for the S148, would it help to fit a methanol kit and avoid having to go through all of the arduous (and expensive) forging lark?

Any thoughts are much appreciated - need to make a decision ASAP and order something.
SonicSW20
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by SonicSW20 »

I have an S148, recently had it rebuilt by Essex Turbos.

It seems pretty versatile, it's just as happy running at stock wastegate pressure as it is at 1bar or more. Makes good power right up to the red line. Apparently the compressor is from an Escort Cosworth, assuming it's still the same spec as mine. It's also not twin scroll anymore, which is why it has that single port wastegate - it's a custom exhaust housing. Not sure why they've done this, but I'm sure there's a good reason for it.

I've never had a stock CT20 to compare to so I can't really comment on lag etc vs the S148.
SonicSW20
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by SonicSW20 »

Quick video, boost controller isn't really dialled in yet, at the moment it spikes up to ~14psi and then settles in at 12psi. https://streamable.com/s2k1w

Looking to get it set up at ~14psi on low, and ~16-17psi on high.
CalMac
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Location: Northampton

Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by CalMac »

That's good to know Gazza! Are you running on standard ECU and fuelling?
SonicSW20
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by SonicSW20 »

Yep, standard internals, ECU, fuelling etc. Boost controller (Profec OLED), 3inch DP, greddy style SMIC, Blitz intake, Mongoose exhaust.

Not going to dial in the high boost setting until I get an AFR gauge in.
CalMac
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Location: Northampton

Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by CalMac »

Oh sweet - so it looks like I should be able to just go ahead with the S148 and bolt on with hopefully no issues. Fingers crossed :D

Thanks mate
SonicSW20
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by SonicSW20 »

Yeah, it's 100% bolt on fitment. Their casting for the exhaust side works with both Gen2 and Gen3 fully as it has the mounting point for the support bracket for both generations, which is a nice addition.

Looking at photos of the current one, only noticeable difference is the actuator. Mine seems to have a stock one. Possible that someone put a stock one on it before I got it though.
Race Idiot
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by Race Idiot »

I ran a billet TD05-16G at 12psi/18psi on stock engine/fueling for ages and was fine. I mean I didn't give a xxxx about the engine because I was replacing it with my current forged build and it was a bit tired anyway.

I do have a wideband and the AFR's were fine, it would be nice to see what you get out of the S148 as it would be nice to just have a stock style turbo without all the stupid manifold adapters and different downpipes etc that makes decent power.
CalMac
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by CalMac »

I'm excited to see how it turns out :twisted:

Should I start at about 14 psi then and see how it goes?
CalMac
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by CalMac »

Just spoken to Ryan at TT and he's informed me that the actuator is set at 0.8 bar on the S148 when I collect it. What do I do with my boost controller etc. to make it work? :-k Not a clue when it comes to turbo stuff tbh :lol:
SonicSW20
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by SonicSW20 »

You got a separate boost gauge?

First, run it with the turbo pressure reference port (the one on the turbo outlet) directly to the actuator. This will make it run at 0.8 bar. You're just confirming that everything is working as it should - it should just boost to 0.8 bar and hold.

If that's all good, plumb in the boost controller. Refer to the instructions, but assuming it's an EBC then the usual setup is you have the solenoid sitting in between the turbo pressure reference and the actuator. It bleeds off pressure so the actuator sees less pressure than the turbo is actually producing so the gate doesn't open.

Reset your boost controller to 0 for all values / set it to OFF. 0 = effectively the same as having no boost controller so it should just boost to 0.8 bar and hold. If that's all good it's time to start tuning. Ideally you need a nice long straight bit of (private) road where you can do lots of 3rd/4th gear pulls to tune the controller. Dual SBC has a limiter built in so it would be sensible to set a limit at ~16psi to protect yourself against any mistakes with the settings. I'm not familiar with the Dual SBC, but I'm sure there are guides on setting it up out there.
CalMac
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by CalMac »

I don't at the moment - I've got a spare Blitz boost gauge somewhere though which I could probably get working.

That all sounds pretty complex but I think I understand what you're saying. Thanks for the detailed description! I'll come back to this once I've fitted the turbo and try to make some progress with your advice :thumleft:
SonicSW20
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by SonicSW20 »

CalMac wrote:I don't at the moment - I've got a spare Blitz boost gauge somewhere though which I could probably get working.

That all sounds pretty complex but I think I understand what you're saying. Thanks for the detailed description! I'll come back to this once I've fitted the turbo and try to make some progress with your advice :thumleft:


You could skip the first bit and just plumb it all in right away, but the logic behind doing it in stages is if there is anything wrong, you've got less possible causes.

I assume the Blitz controller has a separate boost pressure sensor so you should be able to run that as a very expensive boost gauge in fact. That's what I did for a while with my Greddy.
CalMac
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Location: Northampton

Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by CalMac »

Yeah I've been using the Blitz as my boost gauge since owning the car - seems pretty accurate, but I always figured I ought to have a separate boost gauge?

It beeps at me occasionally in the wet or when losing traction - I guessed this was hitting the boost limit (seems to be set at 1.15 bar). Or if putting too much load on in a higher gear at low speed it would also beep ie. doing a 4th gear pull at 40/50mph. This would cause the car to come on/off boost until it gets to a certain RPM and then boosted as normal.

A couple of years ago I was doing some sustained high speeds on a very long private road on a warm day and was very worried to see that I was apparently making 1.35 bar of boost in 5th :roll: but it wasn't beeping - I figured it was just a heat issue or boost creep or something but it never did it again and was fine up until February when it blew up :lol:
SonicSW20
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by SonicSW20 »

That should have triggered fuel cut :-k
CalMac
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Location: Northampton

Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by CalMac »

It might have an FCD - would that stop it? Where would I find an FCD if it is fitted?
SonicSW20
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by SonicSW20 »

It would, but if you've got a stock ECU that's a risky move on a stock Gen3.

Have a look around the ECU.
Al-sw20
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Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by Al-sw20 »

Stick with the ct20b.

A CT26 hybrid is not an upgrade. No matter what the people that build and sell them claim.
CalMac
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Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:08 pm
Location: Northampton

Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by CalMac »

Bit late now :lol: Didn't even know it was CT26 based tbh :-k
CalMac
Posts: 1747
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:08 pm
Location: Northampton

Re: S148 from Turbo Technics

Post by CalMac »

Just dropped the S148 off with my mechanic - might get the car back tomorrow if all goes well!

TT have set the actuator at 0.8 bar - I'd like to run a bit more than this I think?

Is there anybody who'd be willing to spend a bit of time helping me dial in a little more boost with the Dual SBC and adjusting the actuator? I'm happy to pay you for your time - honestly think I'll just c*ck something up if I attempt to mess with it myself :lol:

I could drive and meet someone within probably about an hour of Northampton at your convenience! :thumleft:
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