[JM98]

I'm doing some engine bay cleanup this weekend, and have been on the fence about installing inlets. Car is currently FBO w/ Walbro 450, XHP Stg3 and runs high 11's all day in the 1/4.

I am still stock turbo (at least for the next six months) but have been debating doing inlets as the car could use some more top end. Is the install really worth it?

I've heard nightmares that it can take 6-8 hours and is a PITA, is it really worth it on stock turbos or should I wait until I swap turbos? Whats easier - Stock location or relocated? Just curious on everyone's experience installing.

[feuer]

Regardless of how easy or hard the install is going to be for you it has been established that gains on OEM Turbos are insignificant. So wait until you upgrade the OEM turbos.

[stewbets]

How do you define insignificant? I really respect this guy's opinion and he seemed to get very solid results from his inlets with the stock turbos.

[ragingpanda]

There are some gains to be made on oem turbos with inlets, but if you know for sure that you will be upgrading to bigger twins, then I would wait it out installing inlets until you upgrade your turbos.

[feuer]

While back few tuners wrote (unless I have misunderstood) that gains aren’t significant unless tune is altered accordingly at which point oem turbos are pushed beyond their limits despite lower duty cycle. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1441088

[Rule1977]

Originally Posted by stewbets

How do you define insignificant? I really respect this guy's opinion and he seemed to get very solid results from his inlets with the stock turbos.

There are definitely gains even on stock turbos. I have vrsf stock location inlets and vrsf outlets on stock turbos.. while there is really no gains with outlets on stock turbos there is for inlets. I plan to upgrade my turbos in the future and I'll again have to change my inlets to 2". If you're going to upgrade your turbos soon I would wait and do them then. Just my opinion.

[ewicky]

If you go thru the trouble of installing inlets, definitely go with hot side relocation. OEM location inlets seems like such a waste of time.

[mweisdorfer]

You can probably get 20hp with inlets on stock turbos

[type-dRew]

Originally Posted by feuer

Regardless of how easy or hard the install is going to be for you it has been established that gains on OEM Turbos are insignificant. So wait until you upgrade the OEM turbos.

Aside from a tune, they will gain the most power of any bolt on for stock turbos, how are the gains insignificant?

If the install didnt suck so bad this would be a first mod easily.

[Rule1977]

Originally Posted by type-dRew

Aside from a tune, they will gain the most power of any bolt on for stock turbos, how are the gains insignificant?

If the install didnt suck so bad this would be a first mod easily.

+1

[feuer]

Originally Posted by type-dRew

Aside from a tune, they will gain the most power of any bolt on for stock turbos, how are the gains insignificant?

If the install didnt suck so bad this would be a first mod easily.

Originally Posted by Rule1977

+1

I just went with what RB and BQ were saying. Why would they say then that they aren't recommending inlets on oem turbos? Weird.

[Rule1977]

Originally Posted by feuer

I just went with what RB and BQ were saying. Why would they say then that they aren't recommending inlets on oem turbos? Weird.

Do you have aftermarket inlets on stock turbos?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Rule1977

Do you have aftermarket inlets on stock turbos?

I had them. Sold them to 07Tundra from the post I linked. Why?

[Unknown_Car]

Inlets will make a big difference, and I know this from experience. And my install when I had them took me about 3 hours. Also if you will upgrade the turbos in the near future I would just wait if I was you.

[Rule1977]

Originally Posted by feuer

I had them. Sold them to 07Tundra from the post I linked. Why?

From your personal experience did you not feel that inlets made a significant difference?

[JM98]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

Inlets will make a big difference, and I know this from experience. And my install when I had them took me about 3 hours. Also if you will upgrade the turbos in the near future I would just wait if I was you.

Three hours isnt bad, any tips?

I have a 1/2 mile event coming up next month, and they would be nice to have BUT I will be doing turbos this summer anyways so I'm kinda stuck in between. Maybe I should just wait and throw on Meth Injection for now.

[Unknown_Car]

Originally Posted by JM98

Three hours isnt bad, any tips?

I have a 1/2 mile event coming up next month, and they would be nice to have BUT I will be doing turbos this summer anyways so I'm kinda stuck in between. Maybe I should just wait and throw on Meth Injection for now.

Well all I did take out the DP, relocate the coolant reservoir to the driver's side, also you don't no need to remove the fan or anything like that. Then I cut the OEM inlets and took them out in 2 peaces it makes it much easier and installed the new relocated inlets. Make sure you get the back one on the turbo good, because I had mine slip off few times. When you do the job you see it much better. I did this 3 years ago lol so it was a while.

[shawnlofft]

Precison racework inlets the are way to go. Thank me later.

[DM_e92]

i have stock location inlets and i def felt a difference from stock inlets to Aftermarket with same tune.

[Cabdriver]

With cone filters being the low end and a stage 2 tune being the high, I would put DPs and ins/outs about in the middle of the scale. I did both at the same time and it really woke the car up.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Rule1977

From your personal experience did you not feel that inlets made a significant difference?

Wasn't done separately so couldn't tell. I'm running different engine now without inlets so might give it try.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by JM98

Three hours isnt bad, any tips?

I have a 1/2 mile event coming up next month, and they would be nice to have BUT I will be doing turbos this summer anyways so I'm kinda stuck in between. Maybe I should just wait and throw on Meth Injection for now.

I have MMP 1.75" silicone inlets & 2" VRSF outlets.

The inlets on the firewall side we're sort of a bear. It helps to have a partner. I used a small hand held hack saw. You can get them at HD. I also took off the metal bracket that holds the OEM rear inlet. You need a extra small ratchet that can fit a t-30 bit to do that.
This cleared a little more room. I also slathered a lot of silicone based grease on the inlet to help get it through. I just put a decent amount of spit on the inside of the inlet & made sure the turbo was wiped clean with a rag & brake cleaner. I slid it on the turbo with a SS banjo clamp. I made sure the inlet was seated all the way on. I then backed off the banjo clamp maybe 1/4 to 1/2" & tightened it down really tight with a ratchet. It's been on 3 years with no issues. Never slipped off once.