ATP Turbo Installation Instructions: A3 Stage I

Estimated Install Time: 4 hours

Skillset required: basic

  1. Preparation
    1. Drain oil from pan
    2. Loosen axle nut using 30mm socket and ½" breaker bar.

      3. (removal of the axle is highly recommended but not mandatory on A3 install)

    3. Jack up passenger side of car until wheel is off the ground and support with jack stand.
    4. Unbolt axle from transmission using 8mm 12point male socket bit.
    5. Spray Liquid Wrench and allow to sit for 1 hour (or overnight) to free rusted nuts and bolts.

Concentrate on: 1. (3) Cat to downpipe bolts, (6) downpipe to manifold nuts/studs, (8) manifold to head nuts.
  1. Remove Stock components
    1. Unbolt 02sensor from stock downpipe and remove downpipe.
    2. Unbolt stock exhaust manifold and remove.
    3. Unbolt rubber boot from airbox to throttle body.
  1. Install turbo components


    1. Install turbo manifold with new factory exhaust manifold gasket.
    2. Bolt turbo to manifold.
    1. (4 flanged nuts and bolts) size 8mm x 30mm x 1.25 thread .
    2. Use 12mm and 13mm close end wrenches
    3. Use turbo -> manifold metal gasket.
    1. Bolt downpipe to turbo with supplied hardware as follows:
    1. Top 2 bolts: size 8mm x 25mm x 1.25 thread
    2. 1 bottom bolt: size 8mm x 16mm x 1.25 thread
    1. Bolt downpipe to catalytic converter
    2. Screw 02sensor into threaded hole on turbo downpipe.

      3.  

    3. Bolt on Pre-welded oil pan with 45 degree –10 Male JIC fitting
    4. Connect large (-10) oil fee line to bottom of turbo -> oil pan fitting.
    5. Screw 45 degree –4 JIC fitting to top of turbo.
    6. Screw straight –4 JIC fitting on open port on top of oil filter housing.
    7. Connect small (-4) oil feed line from top of turbo -> fitting on top of oil filter housing.
    8. Connect turbo pressure hose from turbo to throttle body.

      9. (Optional 1" blow-off valve port is available. If blow-off valve is unused, plug the 1" port)

    9. Connect turbo air feed hose(s) from airbox to turbo inlet.
    10. Connect breather hose from airfeed hose to breather on valve cover.
  1. Turbo Wastegate Line

The turbo is capable of generating over 25 psi of boost on an 8v engine. The wastegate is designed to open under a set level of boost to prevent overboosting. The wastegate gets its signal from the nipple on the turbo. A ¼" line must connect the nipple on turbo to the wastegate actuator.

    1. Option 1: Connect ¼" hose from air nipple from turbo to air nipple on wastegate actuator to accept boost level built into the wastegate.
    2. Option 2: Connect an adjustable bleeder valve inline with the ¼" hose between turbo and actuator for adjustable boost.

Note: Turbo is shipped with wastegate set on ~6psi of boost with 1-2 psi variation. A boost gauge is highly recommended to measure actual boost level generated by turbo. Turbo is adjustable by turning the actuator rod or using the manual boost controller on option 2 above.


  1. Vortech FMU – Fuel Management Unit

The FMU provides additional fuel to the engine under boost. The FMU piggybacks the stock Fuel Pressure Regulator and relies on the boost signal in order to operate.

    1. Tee into vacuum hose leading into the Fuel Pressure Regulator
    2. Remove Fuel Return Hose (Blue writing on it) from Fuel Pressure regulator and plug into "OUT" barb connection on FMU.
    3. Connect supplied ¼" hose from FMU to stock Fuel Pressure Regulator
    4. Mount FMP under engine bay.
  1. Boost Gauge
    1. Tee into the vacuum hose leading into the Fuel Pressure Regulator to supply a signal to the boost gauge.
  1. Initial Startup
    1. Refill engine with oil
    2. Disconnect coil wire and crank ignition to allow oil circulation through turbo system.
    3. Reconnect coil wire and start up car.
    4. Inspect for leaks and shut down car if any leaks are detected.