MRC's first POWER LAB Single Turbo install!!
 

We just got a chance to install our first Power Lab ST kit this week.We just finished it up last night and will be tuning today and tommorow. I want to post up some pictures and some of our reviews of the kit thus far, pro's and con's included.

PROS:

Upon unwrapping and inspecting the kit, it is packaged nicely and each pipe is labled as to what it is, making life much easier to find the correct pipes for the locations..
Also the choice of high quality parts, and welds. Most of the piping is not just welded at the flanges, but had pipe that overlaps inside for added strength.

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The one thing we noticed immidiately was the large diameter of all of the piping used, we posted a picture above of some of the PL piping compared to the competitions kit and the obvious choice is the powerlab, when it comes to quality and free flowing design.

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Another nice feature is the use of high quality "V" band style connectors and not cheap flanges as in most kits. The use of the "V" bands not only makes installation a bit easier, but prolongs the life of the kit and eliminates eventual gasket leaks.

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The down pipe had 3 bungs for 02 sensors in it. Finally, a manufacturer that gives you enough bungs to tune and have an internal widband in the car.

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The placement of the wastegate is under the car and allows for the proper bleeding off of unused boost without the associated turbulance and boost creep on the competitions kit..

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Oil pan spacer, so you dont have to tap the block or upper oil pan.

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Nice big azz shiney turbo!!KEWL!!

CONS:

The only few negative things we found were, the kit comes with ZERO heat wrap or turbo blanket..We feel the turbo will throw off alot of heat, and a turbo blanket or shield should be included to protect the local wiring and hoses. We of course went above and beyond and wrapped all of the heat sources with header wrap...:D But thats what makes us MRC.
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We even went as far as made a little heat shield for the clutch slave cylinder, as they are known to get hot and result in a mushy or stuck clutch pedal.

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Another con we found was the main down pipe, could have been bent at a better angle where it merges to the exhaust. This seems to be the lowest part of the kit, although not the lowest point on the car..We just thought it was a "little" low..
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And the final con, is it appears from the instructions, you loose your windshield washer resevior..but that not a biggie..

We will post more pics and dyno results as we get them...

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awesome pix...

sickness. Didn't know you lose the reservior.

Also that downpipe flange, is that lower than the undertray? I'm curious because I scrape a flange down there all the time with my car dropped.

nice write up and pics. there were so many area that need improving from the TN kit. It is nice to see that PL made the kit well.

it looks like the tubo center section is cockeyed. shouldn't the oil drain be located so that it faces directly down to aid in the gravity draining. I recall someone else installing one of these kits and he had the same issue of not being able to properly orient center section. also, after owning the TN kit in the past, it scares me to look at the downpipe physically touching the A/C line!!!!

The pictures were in progress pictures, not a finished product..And the Turbo is no where near touching the AC line FYI..It looks that way from the angle..Plus we insulated the line with rubber hose..We got it all covered, we been doing this for a bit.

Looks great, can't wait for final numbers

Awsome write-up Julian!!! :thumbup2: Can't wait to see the write-up on UMW350Z's car!!!

Thanx for the write up. Cant wait for the results

wow 3 bungs for 02 sensors, that must be really nice

Looks like they did a really fine job on the kit. Definately keep us posted, in regards to power production vs. the TN kit. NICE! :)

+1

I'm against using the windshield washers anyway. It dirties up the car! :icon39:

Kit looks really good. I think I know what I will be using for version 2 of my car, lol.

What he said! :)

Very detailed write-up...nice.

Nice looking kit.

Nice write-up. What do you think it'll make for power?

I like everything except how the bearing housing has to be clocked to the side. I'm assuming it has to be that way because of where the turbo sits. But hey, at least it gives you room for a bigger radiator

Well stop at around 400 on the stock motor.:D

Nice install julian do you think you can hit 400whp at 8psi?