xluben's FogTurbo Bugeye

9 minute(s) of a 297 minute read

I was intrigued by "professional" flex head wrench and also noticed that all the of the ratchets at Harbor Freight are currently on sale. So, when I went out to pick up some things I stopped by and picked up the ratchet as well. Along with a 25% off coupon it was only $15. Here are some photos.

I am also very interested in picking up the longer one of the same style. I think I would probably end up using that one even more, due to the increased leverage. Unfortunately that one was out of stock. I will try to stop in next week to see if they get any before the sale ends.

Here is the standard length one next to my previous workhorse (flex head) wrench. That one is also from Harbor Freight. It's a much larger head with a different pivoting design. The old one is slightly shorter overall. I think the slim head on the new one will come in handy in many situations.

The build quality on both seems very good, but the new one does seem very much "professional" in fit and finish. It looks very much like the Snap On that it is modeled after. Compared to the other flex head that I have, I like the directional switch better on the new one. I could never seem to remember which way was which on the old one.

And here's a comparison of the ratchets I've progressed through over the last few years:

Craftsman Quick Release Teardrop http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-3...p-00944808000P
Pittsburgh Quick Release http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-d...het-69348.html
Pittsburgh Composite Quick Release http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eig...het-66313.html
Pittsburgh Quick Release Swivel Head http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eig...het-96782.html
Pittsburgh Professional Flex Head http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-d...het-62321.html

Here's a little comparison table.

I threw in the Snap On wrench that is similar to the newest flex head wrench I got. The new one I got looks favorable compared to all of them except that it doesn't have a quick release. I think this helps to keep the head smaller. I don't think I'll end up missing it, but I'll have to wait and see.

Here are a couple more pictures:

I had the Craftsman one from a larger tool kit that I got quite a few years ago. It did alright when I started wrenching on my WRX, but it is very short and the handle is very uncomfortable. Right now the teeth are binding badly. I am not sure when that started.

Maybe a year into the ownership of my 2011 WRX I got the first two Pittsburgh ones. I used the metal one basically as a replacement for the Craftsman one. It had a few more teeth and a little more round handle, but I eventually found that the plastic one was plenty strong, had way more teeth, and a far more comfortable handle.

But it wasn't too long after that I got the flex head. That was a huge game changer for me. So many nuts/bolts that were previously inaccessible to a ratchet were now easy to reach. I have been using this wrench for pretty much all of my 3/8" drive ratcheting needs for at least a couple years now. It's still working great too.

The new flex head ratchet is much slimmer head profile and a slightly longer handle. I think it will be a good option, and likely become my go-to due to the smaller head. The longer version of the same may be favorable as long as the extra length isn't a hindrance in too many situations.

The last picture also has the 3/8" drive Craftsman impact. It's fairly cheap (under $100 when on sale), and it doesn't have huge torque, but it can be a real time saver wherever there is space to use it. The flex head ratchets still get a lot of use, but if there's space the impact is a lot quicker and easier.

1-21-2015

After a few revisions the FMIC end tank is redone. Chopped off the end completely and then Fobia welded on a flat plate. Off of that it is a 2.5" OD, 90° bend. Then it's just a 90° coupler onto the turbo.

It's a tight fit, and kind of a trick to get on, but I think it will work. There's not a lot of material for the coupler to grab onto, but I hope it is enough. It ended up looking pretty clean and simple, IMO.

Coupler installed:

Big enough intercooler?

Combo Pic:

1-31-2015

Spent a couple hours last night cutting up the bumper to fit the bigger core and the new piping. It is pretty close now but it will need a little more trimming. I also mounted the rest of the intercooler piping.

2-2-2015

Here's the dyno plot:

Running no AVCS. KillerB header. EWG setup. 268 cams. Came on hard between 4,000 and 4,500rpms. Below that it was pretty weak. May be considered laggy to some, but it was still over a 3k powerband with what I revved it to.

Hard to compare to that FP Black when they don't publish any compressor maps for it. Overall I think that seems like a good turbo though. I just went with this one because it was the biggest that could be had with the stock size inlet. Much easier install.

2-3-2015

Fuel lines and fittings arrived yesterday.

I am getting some rails soon. I already have the TurboSmart FPR.

Priced out the oil return lines/fittings. I'll pick them up soon.

I believe this is where I'll be mounting the oil pump. Just need to drill a few more holes.

I bought some lines and fittings today. 

With the -10 AN side facing upwards it looks like it's VERY close on hood clearance. I may swap it around and see how well it fits.

EDIT: I did swap the top of the pump around so the -8 AN input is on top and that fitting ends up saving around 5/8" of height vs. the -10 AN on top. I think it should be enough to clear the hood.