Garage Storage Organization and Garage Cabinets

**cawcislo** · **Pulling turbo without removing head**

I know it's been done. I know it's kind of a pain, but I'd rather not pull the head to replace my 87 t2 daytona garrett turbo with the super 60 unit. How much of a pain is it to remove. I'm just thinking... pull the downpipe off and remove it to gain more room, remove the oil and coolant feed and return lines. It's just the 4 bolts that attach to the manifold. I'm guessing there's issues getting good access to them. Any one have any tips? Would removing the swingvalve/wastegate and actuator help provide a bit of extra room? Once it's unbolted is it easy to get out or do you have to wrestle to get it out from under the car. Thanks.

dgr00s · 04-26-2006, 07:26 AM

i am trying to do the same with my t1. it is definitley crowded in there.

i am probably just going to pull the head and upgrade the rods and pistons while i am in there.

slasky · 04-26-2006, 08:44 AM

If the turbo has never been off before I don't think you will able to do it without taking the head off.

lametec · 04-26-2006, 08:50 AM

It'll take you 1/2 the time to pull the head and do it that way.

Subliminal · 04-26-2006, 09:03 AM

You could cut a big access hole in the firewall with a torch and then patch it back in when you're done.

Actually, i just couldn't get the 4th nut off the manifold bolts when i did it. And i had several wrenches to choose from, too.

**detobias** · 04-26-2006, 09:11 AM

only way possible I think is to pull exhaust manifold & turbo as a unit

not *too* bad if you have a good selection of extensions & a U-joint & maybe one of those U-joint/10mm sockets

oh yeah: patience and small hands helps too

on my omni I had to drop the pass halfshaft to get the mess out...

if I had to do it again I would pull the head (oh wait I had to do it again and thats what I did)

**looneytuner** · 04-26-2006, 09:14 AM

Unfortunately, the above posts are right. subliminal forgot to mention you won't have heat if you use his method. Well, maybe from the engine. I spent 3 months trying to figure out how to get one intake bolt in before I finally pulled the head.

Subliminal · 04-26-2006, 09:22 AM

What?

Heat?

Man...what are me, a bunch of mambi-pambi's where we need heat and love and stuff?

Pffft!

PS - 3500 for teh w1n!!!!!!!one

**cawcislo** · 04-26-2006, 09:59 AM

First off the car is a daytona, so it's got more room than an omni. The turbo has been removed about 2 years ago so the bolts should be in good shape and not rusted like crazy. I realize pulling the head is probably a bit easier, but I don't feel like replacing the headgasket and shim I have in there as it was just replaced like a year ago. I'll give it a go, worst case is I burn a little more time and end up pulling the head.

Subliminal · 04-26-2006, 11:05 AM

Give it a shot!

The car I tried it on was a minivan, which probably had more room than your daytona, and i was still unsucessful.

But, like you said, the only thing it can hurt is wasting a little time, and that stuff grows on trees!

Phreakish · 04-26-2006, 11:11 AM

I've done it quite a few times now - not that hard, you've gotta be flexible, but it aint bad...

**hoagie** · 04-26-2006, 12:16 PM

remove down pipe then front motor mt push car so engine spins front and have some put the e brake on to keep the engine tilted and it will help but it is still a big pain in azz

LynX853 · 04-26-2006, 12:48 PM

dont listen to the nay sayers, i removed and reinstalled mine in a total of 5 hours. its doable. and no you dont have to remove the exhaust manifold and turbo together, just remove the turbo. if its a little tight, then remove the starter. otherwise go for it.

sheesh, people think you gotta remove the head on every project it seems like.

Endo · 04-27-2006, 05:45 AM

getting the stock turbo out without pulling the head is a pain, but definately do-able. However its gonna be a MAJOR pain to get the bigger S60 in there, i just tried to pull mine out of a daytona about a week ago and there wasnt enough room to get a wrench in there. GL tho

william · 04-27-2006, 12:22 PM

I have pulled turbos in less than 3 hours before. No need to pull the head, nor have I had to remove the axle (I have undone the intermediate shaft bearing bracket and the PS pump bracket though to make life easier). Depending on the exact setup, you may run into some different issues, but I can't imagine the need to pull the head unless the turbo nuts are hopelessly rusted. I do remember that I usually access 3 of the nuts with a wrench, and the fourth (upper driver side IIRC) I use a ratchet and a deep socket. Took me a while to figure that one out. The stock turbo will in many cases go in and out through the "tunnel", or better yet, between the intake and the trans (where the airbox is). Last R&R took me about 6-7 hours, including some unrelated work and lunch.