General Project FAQ

What am I getting myself into with a Turbo project?

Although everyone's Turbo project is different, there are a few commonalities. As with many projects, your initial estimates of time and money will probably be low. Small little engineering challenges creep into the project along the way, and old, worn parts may need to be replaced as part of the engine swap; not necessarily because you're installing a turbo. You will likely see other components of your car that have failed, or you may choose to replace and/or upgrade while the car is apart. All of those changes cost money and take time. Here are the common issues that need to be dealt with:
    a) Exhaust- it will be custom made. There are no off the shelf exhaust systems for a turbo FIRE.
    b) Intercooler - although not necessary for low boost applications, worth consideration. Piping will be custom, and may require component relocation.
    c) EFI - if you know nothing about EFI systems, you'll be learning a lot for this project! Unless you're using a blow-through carb setup, your best option for fuel management is an EFI computer.

How much power will I gain from turbocharging my FIRE engine?

Power gains are entirely dependent on how the engine and turbo system is built. Because most every turbocharged FIRE engine project is different, the total power gains are very different. You should get anywhere from 50hp to over 200hp depending on engine displacement and setup.

How much will it cost to turbocharge my FIRE engine?

The cost of a turbocharging project is based on several factors. The range is somewhere between free (you already own all the parts and can do the labor yourself) and about 5000 euros. Here are some of the major cost factors:
    a) Engine - a rebuilt engine core costs about 1800-3500 euros. That's just for the core, no turbo, no EFI, no extras. On the low end of the spectrum, a standard rebuilt non-ported, no frills engine is about 1800 euros. Un-rebuilt cores can be had for about 300-900 euros. Full engine rebuild kits for the do-it-yourselfer are about 400 euros from Fiat. That usually does not include all the parts. On the high end of the spectrum, a fully race prepared engine will be over 3000 euros.
    b) Turbo - stock Uno Turbo turbos are available fully rebuilt for 600 - 900 euros. Upgraded aftermarket turbos range in price from 800-2000 euros depending on the configuration. Used turbos can be found on e-bay for 50-300 euros. Be prepared to have a used turbo rebuilt if it has had significant mileage since a rebuild, or since new.
    c) Exhaust - no off the shelf systems exist. Expect to pay 100-700 euros for a new custom exhaust. You can fabricate up an exhaust with Uno Turbo exhaust parts relatively cheaply. An exhaust shop can provide the needed flanges, tubing and experience. If you have welding skills, you can easily fabricate your own exhaust system.
    d) Fuel - a Punto 75 pump can be used for an EFI setup with low boost levels. You can also use the coupe pump for more boost. Upgraded pumps are 200+ euros.
    e) EFI - cost for aftermarket fuel injection computers is between 200 and 2500 euros. The lower end systems will provide basic functionality and a fully capable turbo EFI computer. However, the higher end systems will allow greater tuning flexibility, and other features such as datalogging, laptop computer real time monitoring, and boost control.

How long will it take to install a turbo on my FIRE engine?

Most people who've done Turbo projects take between 2 and 8 months to complete their car.   The factors that affect the project time are:
    a) large tool availability (welder, lift, engine stand, compressor, etc)
    b) time availability (can you work 7 days a week 5 hours a day, or weekends only?)
    c) financial resources (can you pay someone to do the job, or will you do it yourself, do you have a buddy to help you out?)
    d) parts availability (do you have 100% of what's necessary to do the swap, or do you need to buy a large portion of your swapped parts?)

The installation itself is fairly quick.

Who can perform the work to turbocharge my FIRE engine?

Generally, none of the major engine rebuilders or shops offer a "Turbo Package". A large part of the project is custom, and since no kits are readily available for reasonable prices, there is a significant amount of labor involved. You might check with some specialty racing shops in your area if you are unable to perform the work yourself. If you are familiar with the mechanics of your engine, and are comfortable changing major components of your car (transmission, exhaust, fuel pump/filter) you can probably tackle the project on your own.

Are there any kits available to install if I want to turbocharge my FIRE engine?

There are some turbo kits sold in the UK and in Italy. Unfortunately, most are for low boost only. If you run across a used kit, it will most likely be a Autodelta or vanAaken Turbo kit. Because the kit will likely have been installed on a vehicle, unless you are able to acquire the vehicle and kit at the same time, chances are high that you will not receive a "bolt on" kit; something will undoubtedly be missing.

Are there any kits available to install if I want to supercharge my FIRE engine?

As an alternative to turbocharging, there are a few Supercharger kits. While not cheap, this is one of the rare opportunities to purchase a bolt in installable kit that will provide you with 6-9psi of boost in a carbureted or EFI configuration.

Did Fiat ever make a turbocharged FIRE engine?

No.

Does it matter if I have a carbureted or a fuel injected FIRE engine?

The difference between carbureted and fuel injection is very significant to a turbo project. The preferred platform is an EFI system. Although blow-through turbo installations are still being performed, they don't offer the same versatility as a EFI platform, and have a separate set of issues. This FAQ won't cover very much detail on blow-through turbo setups, as they are rare among turbo FIRE owners. Most kits are based around EFI engines but some may be adapted to carb setups.

What is the difference between supercharging and turbocharging my FIRE engine?

At a simple view, turbocharging has the benefit of using (essentially) wasted energy in the form of exhaust to power the turbo. A supercharger uses power from the engine (eccentric shaft pulley) to provide power to the supercharger. In reality, the choices available to turbocharge your engine are far greater than those for supercharging. There are really only a few systems available for supercharging, and at least a dozen or more alternatives for a turbocharged system.

What tools do I need to complete the project?

The tools that'll help you the most:
10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22mm wrench
8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 22mm sockets
Philips and slotted screwdriver
Shop Manual for your Car and engine
Air compressor and wrench

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