Sell a rookie a turbo...

Posts: 6

I just bought a 2008 Joyner 800cc EFI Mini Viper with performance exhaust and the K&N style air filter. The thing has been pretty awesome but I wanted to take that next step and do some upgrades. I've thought about a turbo, suspension, head shaving, electrical and on and on, but I dont know much about buggies since this is my first.

I want to know about turbos the most. The distributor I got it from here in Salt Lake says Joyner wont even make turbos for it or they'll lose their EPA license or whatever. So this is my last resort, I guess.

I've looked through the forum and most posts revolve around carbeurated buggys. I havent found much about EFI mods or upgrades even less info directly related to Joyner 800cc turbos.

I have picked up on a few turbo kit makers/sellers here like WEST COAST, joyneraz, Unleashed, gokartsusa and I think edgepwrsports. The information about the turbos is slim though.

Does anyone here have one of these kit makers' turbos for an 800cc EFI Joyner? Whose is better? Who was better helping you set it up (remember, I dont know much about buggies)? Who do I steer clear of (PM me if need be)? What do I have to look out for if I put a turbo on it? I thought I read that someone warned of burning up the engine or clutch.

Help please!

Posts: 198

Try unleashed motorsports, they specialize in turbos specfifcally for joyners and for other large buggies in general:

http://www.unleashedmotorsports.net/splash.asp

To be totally honest most of the turbo kits on here are pretty expensive for what you get.... except maybe the kit from westcoast you get a nice custom built header as part of the kit. In comparison If I had $2000-$2500 to turbo my car I would be putting down like 500 whp on 20 psi of boost. why it is so expensive is because the market for chinese buggies is very limited compared to most car brands, and the number of people offering turbo kits specifically for chinese buggies is even more limited. Not much competition in the market with only a few turbo sellers and so they all can charge what they want, kind of like setting their own market prices. most all these guys who sell turbos know each other.
I myself want to go turbo too but I have decided to piece together my own kit from parts off the internet and from friends. I got a turbo from a wrx in perfect shape for $120 an intercooler for $40 shipped, free BOV. piping, couplers, and flanges are dirt cheap on Ebay. Only major thing I still need to get is a electric fuel pump and regulator. The whole kit should cost me under $500. You can always find a good deal on a T-25 turbo on ebay, I have seen them go for $30 (usually need rebuild, but still very worth it)

But you sound to me like someone who doesnt have the inclination to deal with all the mechanical technical stuff...Just make sure not to shave the head down if you plan to go turbo, that will increase comnpression ratio which is a no-no with boost. And torque down the headbolts more (cant remember the torque I was told), and yes the turbo will put more wear on the engine internals just dont run lean and the engine should still last a while. Be carefull shifting gears too, westcoast has posted befiore about stripping a gear out misshifting into third

Posts: 6

Awesome, Thanks for the info.
Indeed, I'm not incredibly mechanical. I do understand how an engine works, and what the various parts are/do, and I understand very basically how a turbo works - I dont know how to tune the timing, or set up a turbo so I'd like to get a kit from someone that either has very detailed instructions and/or doesn't disappear once I buy it, in case I need help.

Posts: 35

My turbo Joyner is carbed not injected but I will tell you this make SURE that you don't lean it out, because rest assured the next thing will be a BOOM CLACK CLACK sound that is gonna be expensive. I highly recommend a good fuel pump and boost sensitive regulator, I run a Holley Blue fuel pump and an Aeromotive regulator personnally and it has never leaned out ...yet. Sad

Posts: 32

If you would like to see a couple of the turbo kits from Unleashed. Look for a Blue or Purple 1100 Sand Viper out at Sand Mtn. We try to get out there as much as possible and you will see us most weekends.

Posts: 151

Swankyc - If you're really interested in going with a turbo, give me a call - I'll give you more information than you probably want to hear! I live in Sandy. Office - 801-233-0563 Cell 801-573-6995
Jaxn