newbie here could use advise
hey everyone,
I just picked up a 86 laser xe turbo with 136,000 k's (kilometers im in Canada). So far the car has been a blast but seen as im used to bigger hp v8's i know very little about doing up one of these cars. i could use all the advice you guys can give me . Id like to get the car as close to the 300 hp range or more as i can if poss. where should i start what things should i do first ? im also looking into buying a spare block and building it up later down the road.
im looking for a good intercooler to start off with if anyone has one kicking around they'd like to sell
I just picked up a 86 laser xe turbo with 136,000 k's (kilometers im in Canada). So far the car has been a blast but seen as im used to bigger hp v8's i know very little about doing up one of these cars. i could use all the advice you guys can give me . Id like to get the car as close to the 300 hp range or more as i can if poss. where should i start what things should i do first ? im also looking into buying a spare block and building it up later down the road.
im looking for a good intercooler to start off with if anyone has one kicking around they'd like to sell
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You have an 86, which is the first year for the lightweight rods. If you push 300hp, you'll want an 89+ common block or a tII. Its up to you if you go with a 2.2 or 2.5, but the 2.5 is known as the torquey k motor. From 1989 and up, the every block was the same, and construction was strongly w/ thicker cylinder walls. But honestly, its most important that you have either a tII motor or 2.5 tI because they both have heavy duty rods. This is a starting point atleast.
what's your XE weigh? My theory is over 2800lbs go with the 2.5, under 2800lbs 2.2. Then it's all about cold dense airflow through the motor.
Thats some theory you have there lol! fine with me though, as I'm under 2800lbs in my little CS.what's your XE weigh? My theory is over 2800lbs go with the 2.5, under 2800lbs 2.2. Then it's all about cold dense airflow through the motor.
you car has a light weight rod engine, should consider a 2.5 for the better rods.
It came with a 525 trans, this has to leave. Get the bigger axles, shifter, cables and trans from a 91 up car in a junk yard.
The light rods can handle the +20 injectors, past that much fuel you must change the short block. +20s are rated for 270 HP, should be close to what your looking for. So the 20 PSI FAQ thread may be for you
It came with a 525 trans, this has to leave. Get the bigger axles, shifter, cables and trans from a 91 up car in a junk yard.
The light rods can handle the +20 injectors, past that much fuel you must change the short block. +20s are rated for 270 HP, should be close to what your looking for. So the 20 PSI FAQ thread may be for you
so dont waste any cash on the 2.2 and instead find myself a 2.5 and go from there ? also any idea how to turn off the little man hidden in my dash that talks to me...hes bloody annoying. whats the deal with the dash instrument cluster can i switch it out for a non dig with out having to change ecu's ?
what year and model of cars have the 2.5 i should be hunting for ? and thanks everyone.
There's a switch behind the glovebox that will turn the little man who thinks the door is actually a jar off. 
If I'm correct, the '86 Laser should have the pull through throttle body, which is the first conversion you'll need to do in order to put an intercooler in there, combined with the LW rods and you wanting to break 300 H.P. I think what you want to be looking for is a later model 2.5 T1 CB. That should be reasonably easy to come across. You didn't mention if it's auto or stick (unless all Laser XE are stick - I just don't know that), if it's auto, then you may have issue with the transmission holding up the H.P., in which case you may need to do a conversion. If it is 5 speed, then you probably should consider swapping to a A555 transmission as mentioned.
Correct, if the trans is an auto it will have to be strengthened and cooled so that wont exactly be the cheapest. However a lot of guys on here love the autos for the strip.If I'm correct, the '86 Laser should have the pull through throttle body, which is the first conversion you'll need to do in order to put an intercooler in there, combined with the LW rods and you wanting to break 300 H.P. I think what you want to be looking for is a later model 2.5 T1 CB. That should be reasonably easy to come across. You didn't mention if it's auto or stick (unless all Laser XE are stick - I just don't know that), if it's auto, then you may have issue with the transmission holding up the H.P., in which case you may need to do a conversion. If it is 5 speed, then you probably should consider swapping to a A555 transmission as mentioned.
I'm running a 2.5L T1/TII swap in my minivan, and I live a little over an hour and a half from you. Right now I think the pick n pull in Edmonton has one or two 89+ 2.5L common block turbo engines, although last I looked was a bit over a week ago. If that's too far, I may be selling the 89 TI 2.5 out of my omni before it gets scrapped, but you'd need a new wiring harness and stuff.
Always good to see a new member who is 'local' to me.
Always good to see a new member who is 'local' to me.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
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