LittleBlue! 102 Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 My turbo was delivered today. I purchased a used 2016 chevy Cruze turbo online for $120. I plan to put this on my 2014 chevy spark. I'm expecting to run lower psi but it will be high compression and will run on e30 for the additional octane. I know many will say it can't be done but I intend to try while keeping a reasonable budget. I will document my success or failure here. Shinobi777 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby MSME 100 Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 Best luck with your project! LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Splash Spark 11 Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 this is going to be interesting. im certain it will fail but let me be optimistic. at least he is trying it. SUBBED LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Retired old Gearhead 201 Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 Like the rest on this thread, I wish you the best of luck! Total respect for someone willing to do a project like this. Others have talked about this in the past threads but have never gone thru with it. Take it one step at a time...no helter skelter. Make sure it fits first...Keep us posted. LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
silverspark78 5 Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 +1 LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Shinobi777 7 Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Go for it bro. Never know what'll happen unless you *actually* try it. Can't wait for the project to start rolling. LittleBlue! and Retired old Gearhead 2 Link to post Share on other sites
LittleBlue! 102 Posted June 1, 2018 Author Share Posted June 1, 2018 (edited) Happy Friday, My intercooler was delivered today. What a great way to start the weekend! Keeping the budget in mind, I went cheap. Aluminum 27"length by 5.5" height by 2.5" width. I'd like to run hard pipes for the intercooler and intake but we'll see. I'm planning on using the downpipe for the Cruze, I've seen a zzp downpipe for around $200.00. I've spent $120 on the turbo and $55 on the intercooler. Total expenses to date: $175 Edited June 2, 2018 by LittleBlue! Link to post Share on other sites
Retired old Gearhead 201 Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 I like your enthusiasm and it looks like it's moving along..thanx for keeping us in the loop..have a successful wkend!..BTW:..Nice work keeping it within your budget! LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
zamlawls 11 Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 Following. LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
LittleBlue! 102 Posted June 3, 2018 Author Share Posted June 3, 2018 I mounted the intercooler over the weekend. It's a little early as I still need quite a few key components but i wanted to do a test fit and make all the necessary brackets so it will be ready to hook up. I used a step up bit to drill straight into the metal bumper. I made some makeshift brackets out of 90 degree pieces of metal. I'm happy with the location and fit. I think I will now focus on the down pipe and exhaust manifold. Retired old Gearhead 1 Link to post Share on other sites
zamlawls 11 Posted June 3, 2018 Share Posted June 3, 2018 that looks oddly cool imo... LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
LittleBlue! 102 Posted June 4, 2018 Author Share Posted June 4, 2018 I ordered the ZZP downpipe for the Sonic/Cruze for $211 with shipping. https://zzperformance.com/sonic/exhaust/race-o2-housing-downpipe-1-4l Total expenses to date: $386. I'll be looking into the manifold situation while I wait for my downpipe to be delivered! Link to post Share on other sites
Bobby MSME 100 Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 (edited) The intercooler mounted on bumper looks like it belonged there! Very cool!! Too bad MN requires front license plates. Here in FL we don't, and that makes front end look clean. Edited June 4, 2018 by Bobby MSME LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Retired old Gearhead 201 Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 (edited) Might want to install a protective screen for stones, etc when you have determined it all works. You will need an ECM reprogram so find a good shop to do that as a very last step once you are satisfied with a final road test if it all fits and works. Edited June 4, 2018 by Retired old Gearhead LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
silverspark78 5 Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 I really wish it would work on the 17s. That would be so awesome. LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
LittleBlue! 102 Posted June 7, 2018 Author Share Posted June 7, 2018 My downpipe was delivered today! I'm really happy with the quality. It is a 2.5" down pipe from zzp that is designed for the Cruze. I plan to order the V band clamp and shift focus to the intercooler pipes before tackling the exhaust manifold. Link to post Share on other sites
Retired old Gearhead 201 Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 Nice job Blue! Are you sure the 1.4 engine can handle such a wide 2.5 pipe? Anyway..looks like you are on track to become the first person on this forum to install a turbo. I totally am rooting for you to succeed!!!..Keep us posted..K? LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
LittleBlue! 102 Posted June 7, 2018 Author Share Posted June 7, 2018 (edited) Thanks! I hope so, the Cruze is a 1.4 but my spark is a 1.2. My concern with size would be related to back pressure but with a turbo I'm not as concerned. I think I'm going to downsize after the downpipe and use the stock 1.75 exhaust the rest of the way (for now). From what I have read this should work. It will help with the budget and leave a fun project for later. I've done a lot of research but there are still unknowns. It certainly makes it exciting. Edited December 13, 2018 by LittleBlue! Retired old Gearhead 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Splash Spark 11 Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 (edited) This is some good progress. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. Make sure you post everything so i can follow on a 2017. Edited June 9, 2018 by Splash Spark LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
LittleBlue! 102 Posted June 10, 2018 Author Share Posted June 10, 2018 (edited) I took out the exhaust manifold this weekend for a really basic test fit to get an idea of what kind of space I'm dealing with. It's tight but doable. I ordered my vband clamp for the downpipe and a flange for the exhaust manifold. Now, I'm going to order the pipes from the intercooler to the throttle body. After that, I will be focusing on oil lines. I'll update the budget soon to reflect these parts. Edited June 10, 2018 by LittleBlue! Retired old Gearhead 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Retired old Gearhead 201 Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 hope it all fits...one step at a time..don't get the ECM reprogram until it all fits and is tested as working OK...nice work! LittleBlue! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
LittleBlue! 102 Posted June 13, 2018 Author Share Posted June 13, 2018 I've ordered 4 ft of 2.5" aluminum tubing for my intercooler pipes. I figure that is a good place to start. I have picked out the boots and clamps to order but I may be able to pick some up cheaper locally so I have not ordered those yet. I'll be on vacation for the weekend and I'm looking forward to coming back to some parts to keep putting the puzzle together. Link to post Share on other sites
LittleBlue! 102 Posted June 14, 2018 Author Share Posted June 14, 2018 My vband clamp and intercooler pipes arrived today! I literally ordered the pipes yesterday! I couldn't help but test fit the downpipe and turbo connection and I was pleased with the fit. Link to post Share on other sites
LittleBlue! 102 Posted June 14, 2018 Author Share Posted June 14, 2018 (edited) Here are the two 2' straight 2.5" aluminum pipes I ordered for my tubing from the intercooler to the throttle body. I will be cutting to fit and using silicon boots as needed. I paid $19.99 for each 2/ft section with free shipping and it was next day (unexpectedly). I'm really happy with the quality for the price. $40.00 for piping so far. Edited June 14, 2018 by LittleBlue! Link to post Share on other sites
LittleBlue! 102 Posted June 23, 2018 Author Share Posted June 23, 2018 (edited) The adjustable blow off valve was recently delivered. I went cheap at around $50 but with positive reviews. I'm happy as of now. I'm really excited that I may have solved the exhaust manifold situation. I have a T3 flange going to a 2.5" vband at a 90 degree bend. It should work perfect with my turbo and the oem manifold... with some cut and paste. More to come Edited June 23, 2018 by LittleBlue! Retired old Gearhead 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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