Hi all,

Most of my previous posts have been in regards to basic maintenance and "keepin her on the road".

Well, I am picking up a "newer" car for the wife (Grandma's 1997 Dodge Stratus w/ only 38K miles!) for FREE! (would have to be FREE I would never PAY for an American Car)

So , the 1994 850 Turbo will replace my tired 97' VW Jetta.

I have come across an identical "regal red" 94 turbo (the owner says "the turbo is blown", not sure what that means but I am assuming it involves a lack of oil and god knows what else

I can get it CHEAP enough that if the motor turns out to be shot the rest of the parts, (spoiler, some interior, misc parts etc) will be worth what I pay.

IF the motor is "OK" I plan to "freshen it up"
Pull the head, put in new valve seals, lifters, gaskets etc.
Pull the pistons and check the bores for wear, ream the ridge, hone and put in new rings.
New bearings, seals etc. No "hard parts" other than the rings.

My questions are:

A: Are there any "junkyard" type upgrades as far as the turbo is concerned?
ie; rather than just rebuild one of the two turbos I will have is there a compressor housing and wheel that are readily available from the junkyard as an upgrade from the 15G?

B: What would a "safe" overboost be with stock ECU and injectors?

C: Is anyone aware of a "master" or "banner" kit for the automatic tranny? I have NO issues with the one in the car (150K miles) but maybe a "rebuild" might be in order? What power level is "safe" with the auto?

D: Stock Wastegate actuator I think is set for like 7-9 lbs? any cheap easy way to setup a MBC with this?


I had been out of work for 18 months and money is NOT exactly growing on trees around here so I figured since this car is in pretty good shape and runs perfect I might as well put in the equivalent of 6-9 months worth of "NEW" car payments into getting another 150K out of it.

 

I just bought a 16t turbo today at a junkyard in Los Angeles for $175.00. I have not put it on yet but they are supposed to be a light upgrade and not apply too much pressure to the components. I will update after I put it in.

good luck,
Chet