Stock MR2 turbo comparisons

[Piddy]

We are offered with a lot of options for stock turbos on our cars, and I’ve driven almost all of them so I thought I would put my .02 in on them.


USDM CT26 –

In my opinion this is the worst option that you can have. I’ve driven them both stock and upgraded (50 trim with a 15deg clip) and there isn’t much to like about them.

- On the stock one, it is a small turbo so the spool is relatively fast, but it doesn’t pack much of a punch. Just when you start to enjoy the power, it’s gone at 5,500rpm.

- On the upgraded one, I felt it was WORSE than the stock. The spool was slower… and you still lost all of the power at 5,500rpm. In the short period of time that it was making power it was faster than the stock wheel though.

JDM CT26 –

There is a world of difference between the steal USDM turbo and the ceramic JDM turbo. The spool is much faster and is a lot easier to control. Biggest downside is that it still runs out of breath at 5,500rpms… but you get boost much sooner. I think for daily driving and just cruising around, this would be my turbo of choice.

CT20B –

Best turbo that came on the car in my opinion. It spools fast and you can take that boost all the way up to redline. I’m not sure how they are when they are rebuilt, but they are great with the ceramic turbines.

ATS CT27 –

ATS did a great job with this turbo. The cost may be a little high, but for a stock turbo, you can’t get any better. Going from the JDM CT26 to the CT27 (50 trim) is taking a lot of getting used to… but I like it a lot. It takes much longer to spool that the JDM CT26, but when that power comes it puts you in your seat like no ones business. I am getting full boost between 3,200 and 3,500rpms and spinning my Dunlop 9000’s out of 3rd gear if I shift hard at redline. I think a lot of us expected a lot of talk and not much action out of this turbo, but it is a very nice alternative to the CT20B.



k… I’m done. Hopefully this will help someone out in their choice for a turbo. Great thing about all of these options is if you live in a place where the emissions standards are strict… you can pull it off with any of these.

[MR2crazybyong]

CT27.. nice.. what about aftermarket turbo upgrades? what would be best?

[MR2Jedi]

Hey Russell, besides your walbro pump, did you have to do any other fuel upgrade for your CT27?

[Piddy]

^ I plan on keeping it around 275whp so no I don't. The only reason I got the pump is because I have an NA swap... and still have the NA fuel pump which won't provide enough fuel for the power. I should be getting pics here pretty soon... once the rest of my exhaust is built.

[MR2Jedi]

what exhaust are you goin' with? got pics?

[Piddy]

I don't have pics yet....

I'm going with the KO Racing 2.5 Inch Downpipe.... to a custom b-pipe that I am getting made tomorrow.... to my Greddy SP muffler and tips. I personally think 3" is a little overboard for 275hp.... so I'm going with 2.5 all the way through.... no cats... resonators or any of that buisness.

Now I just have to manage to make it to Hollywood tomorrow without getting pulled over while running a strait downpipe and having my exhaust tips wrapped in towels and zip tied to the car.

[MR2Jedi]

so you're gonna run catless on the street?meow....hhmm we don't do emissions test here. I was thinking about doin' that but I don't know. I can still get cited if caught .but that would be cool...

[Piddy]

Meh.... if I get pulled over I'm screwed anyways.... so I figure I may as well just forget about emissions parts.

[Drifting Dane]

thats the spirit!

[WhiteMR291]

Btw, it has been proven that a 50 trim compressor side on a stock ct26 will spool until almost redline, maybe your turbo that you tested was garbage. I have a 52 trim compressor side on my new ct26, ill let you know about that in about a week when i drive on it.
-Terry

[Piddy]

The car I drove with an upgraded CT26 was this spoiled rich kids. The kid knew nothing about his car.... and wanted $12k when it was worth about $7... which is why we didn't buy it.

It had ....

- BRAND NEW motor from Toyota.
- AEM EMS - tuned by AEM
- Aussie DP
- Greddy PEX 3"
- Spearco Sidemount
- Blitz Boost Controller
- Intake
- Rebuilt turbo by Innovative Turbo (50 trim with a 15 degree clip)

I was running it at 15psi.... and this thing felt slower than my JDM 3SGTE at 12psi. And I was still loosing all power at 5,500. Lemme know how your rebuild is though... I would like to know someone elses point of view too.

[WhiteMR291]

haha his setup sounds reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal nice. Yeah it should be runnin in a week about so ill definately post some feedback.
-Terry

[91TurboMR2]

thats awesome to hear about some one with the ct27. I am going with an N2O system before I upgrade my turbo and intercooler because I want more power now! But ya, I will be swapping my 13,000 mile old rebuilt ct26 for the ct27 after I am done with my N2O kit install . With N2O and regular upgrades along with a ct27 should make enough power to shut me up. Ya. Ct27 sounds like such an awesome turbo for the deal too.

[MRQtwinturbo]

^^good luck and pray your motor holds after u begin spraying.....

[MR2Jedi]

all the guys I know using N2O have eventually blown their motors.. all of them.. I will never go that route..but whatever works 4 u..maybe you'll be an exception...