Thread: What are options for watercooling my turbo?

So I have a FWD (96 200sx SE-R) with the SR20DE+T... in swapping my turbo (tiny T25 for not as tiny T25) I would like to correct the install by the PO anyway possible.

SO what I have read is that if I am running a Journal bearing turbo it is "less" critical to cool with water, and oil is good enough. (This is how the current turbo is installed) ALSO being the motor is a DE originally I dunno how I would go about hooking up the water anyways..
Do the DE blocks still have the bolt (port) to connect the water line to?
The return line, can it still be connected neat the thermostat housing like the DET? If not... Where?

Lastly... if it is ok to not run water, What should I do. Meaning should I leave the area where the coolant would pass thru the turbo empty? Leave the bolts out to atleast vent? Or plug them? What about filling the turbo with straight coolant then plugging the holes? Will it boil, pressurize then leak into the turbo? What about filling it with oil then plugging it off?

My thoughts are if there was something I could add in that space if I am not plumbing it into the vehicle coolant system that maybe whatever I could add in there would help dissipate heat.

Please off your thoughts on what I should do.

you can use the throttle body coolant lines. just extend them and run them to the turbo. if your not going to run coolant leave the holes open on the turbo.

How do I go about using those? Take one and reroute it from say it's original "point A to B", do I just reroute it to become "Point A to turbo out of turbo to point B"?

You say "lines" and "them", do you have a pic or a link you can direct me to please? My concern is the water temp going into "point b" obviously would now be much hotter and so I would want to be sure I am using an intelligent line.

Thank you for your reply

you have 2 coolant lines on the throttle body so the coolant can loop through. disconnect the coolant lines on the throttle body and use a double male hose barb so you can extend the lines so they reach the turbo. once connected the coolant will flow through the turbo just like it did on the throttle body. yes you are going to add heat to the cooling system but it will help keep the oil temps down. I am sure if you search the how to section you will find pictures.

I found the lines... thank you! And being I am in SoCal I surely do NOT need the TB "warmed up" lol

And of course I knew the coolant would get heated, what I meant was that if the lines are going into the TB and not exactly sure why (have since searched and learned) my concern was if the coolant was going into the TB to a sensor of some kind, the LAST thing I wanna do is super heat the coolant right before lol (Again only meaning IF that was the case)

Thank you for your guidance. :-)

One a previous build, I tapped into the heater hose lines (pics below). Although the TB lines Mike mentioned would probably be a better solution, especially if you already plan to bypass the TB. I had considered doing this but didn't think they were large enough at the time...



...either way, there wasn't much room with the terd log manifold...

I'll check both but the TB option sounds a little easier though... and I like easier lol

I have the factory lines too. Dunno what they're called but the eyelet "banjo" is it? Anyways, the factory lines, bolts, and lil copper washers too so really all I need to do is go get hose and clamps... BAM!