[cruzing4abruzsen]

Hello, new here but I want to share my budget build. If allowed I will place links to what I purchase along with pictures. Some of things I will do will be experimenting, to see results. Not affiliated with any performance shops, and will be using mix of performance parts from every where. Including eBay, and even some self made parts. Unfortunately I don’t have a dyno available to show progress, so butt dyno it is. I will however plan on track times when weather and track opens. My first mod is a boost gauge, next will be a turbo char replacement. The char was purchased off eBay, with a 6x6 billet wheel stock size. I just want to have fun and see what actually can be done with low money.

 

[JLL]

I've moved this to the Cruze Owner's Projects section. Go ahead, I'd like to see your build. Please read the forum rules and guidelines.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

Thank you for moving to correct section. I posted pictures of chra, bought off ebay. As I stated before, the boost gauge is first. I'm interested to see boost at all stock before mods, once boost gauge is completed I will then remove stock turbo disassemble and install new chra. Put back in car and see what happens, after I will be changing spark plugs to one range cooler and upgrading to a ZZP coil pack. Of course hopefully the chra will fit correctly.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

UPDATE:: I have been busy getting all the parts together.
Boost gauge, cold intake, coil pack, spark plugs, injectors, upgraded fuel controller, tunes, down pipe, upgraded turbo chra. Parts should be in within two weeks. I will try to mod at least once a week and give feedback. My goal is to see what all these parts and combination of them will perform, on a daily driven car. The build is to spend less and hopefully have good out come. I will list parts and links to them when done. This is first part, the second part I plan on turbo upgrade for more performance, valve springs, cams, intercooler and piping.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

Hello, parts are arriving this week. I installed boost gauge, and have been data logging for my base. The car boost from 12 psi to 15psi if really pushing it. Turbo seems to be ready at about 1800rpm. This of course is all stock. I run 88 octane gas and 93 octane. I haven't noticed difference in boost, or performance. Not only do I want a true budget build but a quick street daily driver. So quick spool and zero to 6000 rpm limit is my goal not looking for high revs, just low, strong mid, and good top end.
So far I have spent 1140.00 in parts, including gaskets, feed and drain oil lines.
I will be installing ZZP performance coil pack tomorrow, along with new plugs. After that I will be installing a tune from Trifecta. I'm going with Trifecta for number of reasons, they are best cost effective, I like the cruise button option,and have also seen impressive reviews.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

I put the zzp coil pack in today. All I can say is unreal, why? Well I thought car was running good, no check engine codes. As I took off stock coil pack, one of the plug connectors was broken. So after installing the new coil pack took car for a run. Dam it actually felt quicker, but what I saw was shocking. My boost hit 18-19 psi, most before was 15psi. I'm sure it due to new coil pack and that old one wasn't in good shape. Put smile on my face either way. Took pics of progress so far.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

Installed tune from Trifecta today. It woke up the car, transmission shifts at better times. Boost is at 20psi if on it hard. Car feels quicker, and spirited. I'm going to run it for a while, and start to do other mods next week. Thinking about turbo chra replacement, just to see how car reacts and keeping everything else stock.
There is also a update. I found dyno near me, so I will be taking car there to see what it does, with this first part of budget build.

 

[JLL]

Installed tune from Trifecta today. It woke up the car, transmission shifts at better times. Boost is at 20psi if on it hard. Car feels quicker, and spirited. I'm going to run it for a while, and start to do other mods next week. Thinking about turbo chra replacement, just to see how car reacts and keeping everything else stock.
There is also a update. I found dyno near me, so I will be taking car there to see what it does, with this first part of budget build.

Make sure that the rotating assembly was balanced. I didn't see any balancing marks on it in the picture that you posted.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

Thanks, It was balanced on a VSR so they say. Right? All part of this build actually, are parts getting off ebay any good? I'm willing to take the burzsen.

 

[JLL]

Thanks, It was balanced on a VSR so they say. Right? All part of this build actually, are parts getting off ebay any good? I'm willing to take the burzsen.

Ebay is hit and miss. Some parts are great and others are poorly built replicas.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

I agree and have experienced it. I'm keeping info and links so if they are good, I can help others out on here.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

Was planning on going to get more logging data, but sometimes things don't work with you. I'm hearing a swishing noise from turbo, also I believe waste gate needs lube, sticks here and there. So now plan is to remove the turbo change out Chra, and reinstall. I hope that the exchange will go smooth and is the correct size. If not, then the car will be down for a bit, while I order turbo. I will keep everyone posted.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

I removed the turbo, and took turbo apart. I swishing noise was indeed the compressor wheel rubbing compressor housing. Little play in bearings but not too bad. Compressor housing is still usable. I measured all measurements and they are the same. Compressor wheel is 32.48mm inducer/ 46mm exducer. Turbine wheel is 38.70mm inducer/ 33mm exducer. Unfortunately turbine housing was cracked and someone repaired it. Not best repair job but it will work for now, and shouldn't effect the turbo performance. I would replace all parts with new, but I'm planning on bigger turbo anyway. I will cleaning parts and then putting back together. I wasn't planning on doing this, and will be busy next few days before I can get back to it.

 

[Blasirl]

FYI for others that read this - CHRA: center housing rotating assembly

Hello, new here but I want to share my budget build. If allowed I will place links to what I purchase along with pictures. Some of things I will do will be experimenting, to see results. Not affiliated with any performance shops, and will be using mix of performance parts from every where. Including eBay, and even some self made parts. Unfortunately I don’t have a dyno available to show progress, so butt dyno it is. I will however plan on track times when weather and track opens. My first mod is a boost gauge, next will be a turbo char replacement. The char was purchased off eBay, with a 6x6 billet wheel stock size. I just want to have fun and see what actually can be done with low money.

How-To: Install gauges in a ZZP Pillar Pod A-Z Part 1
1.4 Turbo Boost Gauge Install (Picture Heavy)
How-To: Boost gauge install?

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

Back to the build. I took turbo apart, while apart I figured why not. I match ported exhaust manifold to the exhaust gasket. Then put new Chra and turbo back together, and installed in the car. Topped off coolant, purged coolant system. Let idle checking for any leaks, took car out on a test run.

A little info about the Chra, I did purchase off ebay. It's a replacement chra with stock measurements and a billet wheel. It came with papers on the VSR balancing report.

The car runs really smooth, turbo spools nicely. Boost numbers gained 2psi at wot. 22psi. Car feels little quicker, and responds nicely. So far I'm impressed and like it. I'm keeping the turbo the way it is and build around it. I'm curious about reliability of it, I will be switching out the waste gate for a billet mamba. Later in build, I like one step at a time to avoid problems.

Next week mod will be the cold air intake.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

Sorry heres some pictures of exhaust manifold.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

Maybe I'm being untrusting of the ebay chra. I have a 30 min commute to work one way. So part of my budget and insurance agaist what might happen is to get AAA in case something happens I can get car towed and not be stranded. I'm going to give the turbo hell, and if it holds up great. If not I already have another turbo ready to go. From a trusted company, not ebay big wheel upgrade one. I just wanted to try a cheap option on turbo upgrade first. Some parts you just have to pay for, depending on what your goals are for your build.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

I installed cold intake. Only cost me 96.00 but was more of a universal then just for gen 1 cruze as they stated. Looks ok, but no where as nice as the zzp performance offering. Makes nice intake air noise and and can hear turbo whine. I need to get tune modified, not hitting the 22psi of boost it was before only at 18-19psi. I'll have pictures tomorrow. Honestly I'm going to swap out later to the zzp, like the look much better. But this was all about the budget.

 

[cruzing4abruzsen]

Here's pictures of cold intake, filter is where the resonator air box used to be.

 

[Mr_Pat]

Beware of large puddles... if it looks to be more than 4" deep stop and disconnect the pipe that drops through the fender or your gonna end up with bent rods or worse