Mabotech M520h Turbo Swap

Background:

Last November I removed the Mabotech M520h turbocharger from my GTI and installed the stock IS20 turbo so that I could record data using several Stage 2 tunes.

While the IS20 was installed I also compared several front-mount intercoolers and a couple of other stock to aftermarket parts comparisons, such as charge pipes and turbo inlet elbow.

With that detour complete I’m getting back on track with seeing what the M520h will do with a MPI fueling setup.

Progress:

The first step was removing the IS20.

IHI IS20 Turbocharger Removal
IHI IS20 Turbocharger Removal

IHI IS20 turbo (left) and Mabotech M520h turbo (right).

Mabotech M520h and IHI IS20 Turbocharger Swap
Mabotech M520h and IHI IS20 Turbocharger Swap

Then the M520h was installed.

Mabotech M520h Turbo Install
Mabotech M520h Turbo Install

While I was taking parts off the car for the turbocharger swap I also changed out the engine and transmission mounts, previously I’d been using the 034 Motorsport Density line mounts and the replacement mounts are the Black Forest Industries Stage 1 mounts.

BFI Stage 1 Transmission Mount Swap
BFI Stage 1 Transmission Mount Swap

BFI Stage 1 Engine Mount Install
BFI Stage 1 Engine Mount Install

The lack of an NPT bung on the stock charge pipes makes them unattractive for my data collection efforts.

The aFe Power Blade Runner charge pipes have an NPT bung on both the hotside and coldside charge pipes which is handy for recording the temperature leaving the intercooler and providing some bypass charge air to the Mk8 suction jet pump.

aFe Bladerunner Charge Pipe Swap
aFe Bladerunner Charge Pipe Swap

During the front-mount intercooler testing the stock GTI IC was installed to support bicooler testing. For this next phase, the Mabotech stock location intercooler is re-installed.

Mabotech and stock GTI IC Swap
Mabotech and stock GTI IC Swap

The MST TIP and a do88 turbo inlet hose complete the changes for the weekend.

Mabotech M520h Turbo Install Complete
Mabotech M520h Turbo Install Complete

References:

3 thoughts on “Mabotech M520h Turbo Swap”

  1. Awesome to see testing progress with these different setups, Jeff! I believe I can see it from the pictures but are you still running the MK8 PCV full retro fit kit with this new setup? And are there any plans to test CC vacuum while on this setup?

    1. Jeffrey Jones

      I do have the Mk8 setup with the venturi hose attachment. I will check the vacuum at some point.

  2. Very nice! I’d be curious if you can get the PCV vacuum (pre-diaphragm) via the MK8 PCV pressure sensor. Feel free to shoot me a message if you need the info/logging address to make it work.

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