4kq turbo conversion & upgrades

[Kneale Brownson]

Go to the Audifans website     http://www.audifans.com/     and use the 
Google  search on topics like suspension upgrades, turbo 
conversions,   winter/summer tire choices, Eurolights, etc.


At 05:31 PM 11/10/2000 -0500, Aaron Sherrick wrote:

>Hi everyone, this is my first post to the list!  I'm admitting upfront that
>I'm a newbie in the truest sense of the word.  I have an '86 4kq that I've
>had for three years now, and I've decided the car is worth way more to me
>than what I'd get if I ever sold it.  Besides, I love it.  It just needs
>some performance improvements.  In the end I'd like to do the following:
>turbo conversion, suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, headlights, cosmetics.
>Except for the turbo conversion, all of those other upgrades seem simple
>enough, but I have some questions.
>
>Suspension: I believe this is going to be my first upgrade.  What does
>everyone recommend for a sports suspension?  It looks like Bilstein and Boge
>are the two popular options for shocks.  What else do I need?  Also, and
>very importantly, will anything I upgrade in the front suspension interfere
>with a future turbo conversion?
>
>Turbo conversion: What's the best way to go with a donor engine?  I was
>looking at the 86-88 5kqt engines.  What is a fair price to pay for one of
>those?  I saw a site on the internet selling them, Woodfins used auto parts
>(https://www.woodfins.com), for $550-700 plus shipping.  Since I obviously
>have no technical expertise, how much would I be getting into in labor
>costs?  I've also seen that TAP and Intended Acceleration make chips for the
>engine.  How are they?  What about a better turbo (I've seen talk of the K24
>and K26, not that I know anything about them).  Also, are they any good web
>resources detailing this process?  If I can get 230-270hp out of the engine
>like I've seen claimed, I'd be a very happy man!  What kind of 0-60 times do
>you guys get?
>
>I realize that I've asked enough questions that one could write a book on
>the answers.  Sorry.  I would greatly appreciate any info and advice you
>guys can give me.  Thanks in advance!
>
>Aaron
>
>