Chatting a little bit with Stephanie..and in case anyone's wondering.. I may have shot myself in the foot for prototype.. but cards have fallen right and I will be on the DIY list.. :-)

No, that is not the turbo. They were using it for approximate sizing is all. Sorry for the confusion!
Corky has mocked up the intercooler and is building it right now.

Stephanie

 

Hey guys,

Sorry for not being around much lately. I went through some tough personal stuff and am back now. I did speak to Corky recently and am planning a drive down as soon as they start testing the new system.

 

I have been talking with Stephanie regarding time frame for delivery to Them of the # 2 car. Looks like early-mid June. She also had this to say.
"On the prototype – the intercooler mock up has been done. They are test fitting the mock up. The exhaust is removed in anticipation of the new mounting parts. The turbo is here and modified, as needed so far. More photos are going up on the build page every week!
Thanks!
Stephanie"

 

This is a little longer than the 8 to 10 weeks originally quoted. I realize they have other work to do but I'm not a relative, I'm a paying customer that has put a deposit down.
So....what's up guys??

 

It's all good.. it will be ready to go right on schedule with the new headers!.. Now which would you think should take longer? LOL.

 

Just be thankful anyone wants to build performance parts for these, "no longer made" cars. Most don't in today's world. No real profit in it long term. I am glad someone stepped up to help the N/A crowd out. Hats off to Bell Experimental...
As for the headers. I stopped by a fab shop near Indy awhile back. They will fab up headers for anything, and I mean anything. My quote was $1500.00, and they do an excellent job. I am just not into headers. I gave them up in the Camaro years. I did a set on a vette once, and said I would never do that again... Just more problems than they are worth sometimes for the small HP gains. Again, glad the turbo build is going well. Good luck you guys.

 

Yes, I'm happy someone stepped up to the plate to build these in 8 to 10 weeks. Why quote 8 to 10 weeks, if they are such a experienced company I expected a time frame that was more realistic to what they can accomplish. I know our cars are not that easy to work on but that should have been factored in if they are going to quote these time frames.

 

I think that you hit the nail on the head, they underestimated how difficult the nut was going to be to crack. Hell, look at the dyno issues they had, the same issues many of us here have had.

I don't have a dog in the fight, yet, but am extremely interested in the development of the kit and I am certain Bell will know our cars as well as anyone else by the end of the build, but we need to give them time to ensure everything is done right. I knew between the difficulty of the Mercedes ECU and our quirky, little cars that this would not be easy, but I know, in the end, that it will be done as best as it possibly can be.

 

OOOOOOOOHhhhh...I am looking so forward to this being available for sale to the public! a turbo is just what this little ride needs!!!! Just bought yesterday and new to this forum, so hello! Loving the car so far but more hp is always a great thing.

 

We can certainly agree on that statement.... More HP is great....

 

Since things ran amuck on me for the second prototype.. think I'll go ahead and debaffle the intake. A little bonding time with the car, and a few extra HP while waiting for the completion of the kit..my understanding is remove, push out from the inside.. I guess there's no way to just "hook" the screen and pull out without removal of the housing?

 

Miata, I had to break mine out of the MAF housing. There was just no way of convincing it to come out. The fins in the elbow below the MAF housing have to be broke out as well to remove them. On my roadster I really didn't notice any change from this mod. Your mileage may vary but it certainly couldn't hurt.

 

This is first on my list as well. Maybe in the next week or two??? Also, I see a Eurotune in the not too distant future?? Also, still searching for a low-buck mod, if any, to do for better flow and more sound from the exhaust. I love the sound (all its own), but too quiet in my opinion.

 

for low buck why not delete the rear to cats? I would wait on the tune if you are going to get a turbo kit. It would be pointless as your car would just have to be re-tuned for the kit.

 

Dang! I've been following this thread forever, hoped there would be another update. Been anxiously awaiting some results.

 

Follow the header thread... you'll feel like your on a jet fighter when you get back to this one!

 

Yup , with 2500 views, you are not the only one following this thread. I too, am impatiently waiting for this. They may make a first class product, but their on "time performance"
sucks !!. Same goes for the updates, maybe they have nothing to update us with.

 

Ok. Who's been buggin' Corky?
Unsolicited update received today!
He's getting better at this!


Hi DJ,
We’ve made good progress since the last note.
We got a few days set back when I found it necessary to let a fellow go. He wasn’t working on the Cfire, but we had to regroup nevertheless.
After several false starts, we have the turbo under the driver seat and it looks happy there. The space occupied by the original mufflers was attractive and the turbo fit in easily. That spot would require a special design muffler and we ultimately thought better of it.
There are fuel lines right above the turbo, but a proper heat shield should keep them happy. The remote wastegate will be a bit more remote, but matters nil.
I am still undecided regarding the return oil pump. That remains the only part we don’t have yet. I’ll get off my backside shortly and find one. In the past, we’ve used a diaphragm pump for such applications, but I think a gear style pump would be more durable. Nothing to flex. We’ve found a few, but just haven’t made my mind up.
So far nothing turbo can be seen. Even the intercooler hides well. That raises the question of exhaust pipe tips. I think you have told me several times, but once more please.
I hope all is well in Arizona,
Corky

 

DJ has it been brought up what size the exit exhaust pipe is going to be yet? I picked out a tip as I plan to just run a straight pipe out of the turbo.

Question for the forum are others planning to install a muffler?

 

Hmm.. initial thoughts was at the muffler..correct? Now located under the drivers seat.. does that make it a "3 cylinder" powered turbo? Or planning to swing passenger side over also? Wouldn't it be more efficient with 6 cylinders pumped through? I'll wait on the sound clips to decide on muffler or not.. LOL. As far as tips.. Kinda liked the corvette look if replacing OEM's. Stack-em and Rack-em.. lol. Hey...that might look wicked two stacked on top each other! Off to play in Photoshop..