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I'm just about to change out the standard turbo on my SE with a new replacement.

Not having had anything to do with wrenching turbos before, I'm wondering whether there are any specific tips or tricks I should be aware of?

I'm thinking anything turbo specific to do with sealing mating surfaces, thread locking, bearing pre start up lube, bleeding oil/water lines, running in etc ???

Many thanks in anticipation...

Disconnect the oil return and the coils and crank it until oil passes out the return so you know its not dry.

If you have a belt sander use a fine belt to surface all mating surfaces and use a thin smear of RTV to seal without gaskets, this gives you better reliability for a few reasons, I can link you if you would like to read more about it and why, it's an MX5 problem.

Use the factory studs and if you break or lose one go and buy a proper OEM one, they are not normal studs, normal exhaust studs WILL fail.

Dann

I did mine a few months ago. It's not as tough as it 1st appears, although getting to some of the nuts does require you to be double and sometimes triple jointed. I ended up getting 1/2 & 3/8 universal joints. Also have a few different extender bars for your sockets. The other thing that'll really help is a breaker bar to put on your socket wrench for those really tough nuts. Soak everything a couple of days before you start if you can. I used wd40. Make sure you order some new gaskets to replace the old ones. You'll need to drain the water out but that's it. I didn't need to drain the oil, although it's a good chance to do it.
Also I found that it was easier to undo the exhaust from the cat forward so that I could move it a little as I was undoing it from the turbo.
Out of interest where did you get the new turbo from?

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See MSMjohn's comprehensive MSM turbo R&R thread: http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/58-forced-induction-sponsored-kraftwerks-usa/29150-my-mazdaspeed-mx5-turbocharger-r-r.html

Everything Juicy HiC said. A rattle gun with extender bar(s) and socket flex joint is a big help for the 3rd hard-to-get-out downpipe nut.

Also, have some spare studs on standby in case they snap.

Thanks for the replies gents.

I'm currently working away from home, so have had to re-evaluate the amount of time and motivation I have. Decided it's probably easier just to get a shop to do it as wife has plenty of other stuff for me to do when I get home.

Turbo was bought last year off a bloke on the US Mazda-Speed forum. Never been used and apparently genuine IHI. I can't image the Chinese would bother making knock offs of the little IHI specifically to suit a MSM, so hopefully it's the real deal. It looks OK to a mug like me.

I can't afford a Garrett, plus manifold, plus ECU, plus tuning just at this point in time; hence my plan to simply swap out the standard turbo.

Dann: I'd be interested to learn more if you could post up the link please.

Thanks again...

Can't remember whether you already have a proper sized intercooler. If not, and if you're using the car on the track, I believe this is one item worth upgrading if the budget can be stretched at all.