CT20B or Struts and Springs

[dsw20t]

Hey Guys,
I've got a budget of $400, and i've been debating whether i should get a CT20B (or T3T4..but wouldn't i need custom piping?) or to simply purchase new Tokiko struts and Tein Springs. Sounds simple but, here's the story. I've been noticing oil on the Intake side of the turbo (not much shaft play/spools okay), the car bogs at low RPMs, and i hear ding noises as the turbo cools down. On the other hand, the stock springs are old, the shocks are dead, and i'm riding and feeling every little bumps and holes. My first conclusion was to attack the suspension..and prepare for the MN winters...but now i'm asking, what if the turbo's dying and potentially increasing further damage? I'm gonna try to avoid driving in the snow and all, but it's my only source of transportation. What do you guys think? -Ferry

*91 MR2 Turbo, hks turbo timer, greddy s BOV, excedy clutch, single-output exhaust

[ST185]

CT20B costs more than $400
Used CT26 will fit your budget but for how long it'll last, who knows.
Are you sure oil comes from turbo not from PCV?

[MR2Jedi]

ST 185 is correct. a CT 20(unless used) is gonna cost more than $400.00. and I would check the PCV valve before jumping to conclusions.certainly a T3/T4 will be more than $400.00 too. and you will need an adapter plate, and maybe some IC piping.
if you're springs and strut are dead, I would get those first. but i don't know that $400.00 will be enough for both. especially if you're not installing them youself/

[Gairloch]

For $400 you're not going to be able to do much with your turbo. You *might* be able to find some dampers for that price and reuse the stock springs, which isn't a bad option a lot of the time btw. This is also assuming that you're doing the installation yourself.

What you might want to do before you spend anything is sit down and figure out a plan. Figure out whether this stuff going on with your turbo is system critical and needs to be addressed right away. Plan out what you want to do and in what order then figure out what kind of a budget you need for it. Could be the best thing you could do with the $400 is bank it until you've got a bigger purse to work with. Don't skimp out on stuff because you've got a limited budget. Cheap repairs and upgrades are their own reward.

Is that making sense?

[dsw20t]

Thanks, i like all of you guys' advice! About the oil coming from the intake side, I'll try to post a picture soon, maybe it'll help visually. As for the $400 budget, I'm only limiting to 400 because if i have to spend more, then like what you said Gairloch, i 'd rather save up for something bigger. Yeah, i haven't really planned anything yet, i'm just worried about the upcoming winter season and whether the turbo's okay or not. Thanks guys! -Ferry

-does anyone live in the Duluth area? maybe we can meet up sometimes. or hold a BBQ in the spring...3SGTE meet.

[Gairloch]

If you're planning on putting a bunch of work into the car I can't stress to you enough how important it is to have a project plan. Without one you'll end up spending too much money on it and maybe not even end up with what you wanted.

I don't know if you check out the MN regional forum on mr2oc.com but there are a bunch of guys that hold meets down here (Minneapolis) pretty regularily.

[dsw20t]

Thanks Gairloch, I'll check up on local MN members and see when they meet (if it's still even possible this fall). As for the plan, I'll get to that...sorry I haven't been able to take any pictures of the oil on the Intake side because of the bad weather uphere, it's been raining and cloudy lately. -Ferry