Oil drain to valve cover??

[Perkul8r]

I am getting ready to put the turbo on my car and plumb it. My question is, the motor is already in the car so i am pretty sure i cant take the pan back off to plumb an oil return line into the pan. I have seen some people just drain to the valve cover. IS this ok? I really dont want to have to pull the motor just to plumb it into the oil pan. Also the turbo i am running is a TD04 off a wrx. Do i absolutely have to run the coolant lines to the turbo? Once again i have heard both sides of this. I just want to know for sure.

[jey]

I'm running 6 psi and not running coolant lines. My last TD04 ran for 50k miles with no problems until the BOV went out...

[Perkul8r]

Did you just use plugs on the coolant passages than? And are you off wastegate pressure to get 6 lbs? I have seen many a different figure on what the wastegate actually opens at.

[grayguy]

Different year TD04's seem to have different stock wastegate pressures. I can't see a real issue with running to the valve cover, most (all that I know of) stock Turbo subaru's have the oil return in the back of the head anyway. I'm not sure if dumping that much extra oil on your valvetrain wil do anything bad?

[anothernord]

A lot of people run the return back to the valve cover, because it's easier to get to mainly. Personally, I'm a fan of the oil-pan method. Just drain the oil, pull the pan, drill and tap a fitting, reseal, bolt it back on, then refill with oil.

With the coolant lines readily accessible with the throttle body, it makes sense just to buy a couple extra feet of hose and plumb it in. If you do go without coolant, it might be beneficial to install an oil cooler as well.

[Perkul8r]

I am gonna try to run both the oil and coolant lines on the turbo. And can you easily take the pan off without having to pull the motor? I haven't gotten a chance to look at mine cause its been raining and snowing the past couple days.

[anothernord]

Yeah, the pan just drops right out.

[Perkul8r]

awesome, well i will just go to the pan than. that seems like a better idea anyway. Thanks.

[lord flashheart]

audi didnt run coolant lines in the 1.8turbo and over time the turbo would "coke" the oil and if you didnt change the oil religiously it would blow the motors. when i worked at audi/VW we changed
like 1-2 of those 1.8t a week. thats why audi swiched to the 2.0T. just a little tid bit for ya.

[Perkul8r]

Wow. Didn't know that. But i haven't dealt much with Audi/VW cars. That is good to know though. I have seen a couple running no coolant lines, but i am gonna try to.

[anothernord]

What exhaust setup are you using? When you do the install, make sure and take lots of pictures and post up what you did/what parts you used.

[Perkul8r]

Well, i am gonna use a wrx downpipe. And 2 1/2 back to a muffler. I am gonna use a modded up pipe to mount up to my stock exhaust header as my car has the single port exhaust on it. And so far i have started a build thread on here in the members ride. Just been kinda slow due to weather.

[anothernord]

Well, i am gonna use a wrx downpipe. And 2 1/2 back to a muffler. I am gonna use a modded up pipe to mount up to my stock exhaust header as my car has the single port exhaust on it. And so far i have started a build thread on here in the members ride. Just been kinda slow due to weather.

I'm very interested to see how the up pipe turns out. I might want you to make me another one just in case. :twisted:

[Perkul8r]

thats why i am waiting for my down pipe, that way i have all the clearances right. I should have the down pipe by friday, and i am looking to buy/rent a welder. I dont currently have one available to me. and i do need one. lol

[anothernord]

thats why i am waiting for my down pipe, that way i have all the clearances right. I should have the down pipe by friday, and i am looking to buy/rent a welder. I dont currently have one available to me. and i do need one. lol

Are you going to modify a stock WRX up-pipe? Or are you just going to use the flanges from it?

[Perkul8r]

I am modifying the 22t up pipe. It was cheap and easy to find. lol

[anothernord]

I am modifying the 22t up pipe. It was cheap and easy to find. lol

I am very interested to see how you accomplish this. I'm planning a turbo/supercharger setup this summer and I want to use the stock header.

[Perkul8r]

I will definately take some pics when i get to that part. Just waiting for the weather to comply. lol