Top mount vs. Bottom mount

[PlayerN07]

What are the bennefits of running a top mount turbo versus a bottom mount besides easy access to the turbo and better flow from equal length tubing?

[dmb882]

bling bling!

[Shuasha]

Better oil drain, oil supply line takes a less perilous route.

You hit the main one though, the ease or working on it.

There are also down sides. It's hard to keep your A/C with a top mount in an E36.

[dmb882]

I really want to go topmount for all the reasons posted but can't justify spending the money!

[techno550]

What are the bennefits of running a top mount turbo versus a bottom mount besides easy access to the turbo and better flow from equal length tubing?

"better flow" and "equal length tubing" are NOT included in a top mount necessairily.

I can come up with a much longer list of negatives than positives for a top mount. Only positive is you can "see" the turbo, which is probably worth a few points as a show car or something like that...

[Shuasha]

"better flow" and "equal length tubing" are NOT included in a top mount necessairily.

I can come up with a much longer list of negatives than positives for a top mount. Only positive is you can "see" the turbo, which is probably worth a few points as a show car or something like that...
You don't agree that it's easier to install the turbo, connect the lines, pipes and intake on a top mount?

I agree that there's a long list of negatives too, but I would still prefer a top mount.

[techno550]

You don't agree that it's easier to install the turbo, connect the lines, pipes and intake on a top mount?

I agree that there's a long list of negatives too, but I would still prefer a top mount.

so you'd compromise the functionality of a system for potentially marginally reduced install time?

[rundatrack]

what are the negatives of top mount....

[Shuasha]

so you'd compromise the functionality of a system for potentially marginally reduced install time?
Not just install time. For those of us that like to "tinker" it makes life much easier. I don't have a top mount yet, but probably will on my 525.

Anyway, negatives are:
More heat in the engine bay, although this hasn't been a huge issue for the local people I know with top mounts.
Very hard to keep your A/C.
Valve cover usually needs a heat shield.
Exhaust piping runs higher up, although this is thermal wrapped.
Coolant reservoir usually needs to be relocated.

[Geno325is]

swappin turbos on bottom mount.... FTL

[Shuasha]

swappin turbos on bottom mount.... FTL
Says the turbo swap ninja master. :)

[highboostingm3]

It's hard to keep your A/C with a top mount in an E36.
Yeah in order for me to keep mine I had to have all new ones remade and have them routed around the strut along the hood-line.

[Geno325is]

Says the turbo swap ninja master. :)
:ninja ya know it

PS. Cam, what did it cost ya to extend the AC lines ? they make all new fittings or just extend the OEM lines?

[Shuasha]

Yeah in order for me to keep mine I had to have all new ones remade and have them routed around the strut along the hood-line.
I can't wait to see how that works out for you. It gives us hope. :)

[highboostingm3]

:ninja ya know it

PS. Cam, what did it cost ya to extend the AC lines ? they make all new fittings or just extend the OEM lines?
New fittings. I haven't been given a price quote on that yet. It just has to be done because no matter how much power she has, I still want A/C. That is the bummer of dealing with the sun and plastic boobies all year round. :boobies

[Geno325is]

:boobies = they love top mount setups
Let us know how those new lines and fittings work out, and price too. Cuz we always hear,"aw just get new lines done...." well ok, who got new lines?

[PlayerN07]

Ive been seeing these high power setups and they all have top mounts or even front mounts... I hate to say it, but even the power house supras and skylines with similar style engines use a top mount setup. There has to be justification for mass production of this setup.

[5mall5nail5]

Ive been seeing these high power setups and they all have top mounts or even front mounts... I hate to say it, but even the power house supras and skylines with similar style engines use a top mount setup. There has to be justification for mass production of this setup.

big turbos need big living rooms bro.

[NYQUEENZ]

Yeah in order for me to keep mine I had to have all new ones remade and have them routed around the strut along the hood-line.


Humm luv those rims boi.... go top mount for ezay access..

[ebydrc]

Ive been seeing these high power setups and they all have top mounts or even front mounts... I hate to say it, but even the power house supras and skylines with similar style engines use a top mount setup. There has to be justification for mass production of this setup.

they do it for the space, hop under one of those and check for space, you wont find any.