1996 NISSAN 200 SX S14 poor performance.

[ALEXWILLAN]

Got a 1996 Nissan 200 SX.
91k, fsh by a (very) mature owner (owned since 2003).
Car feels like it has never been thrased and like it doesn't have a turbo !
You can hear the turbo boosting (just) and performance improves the further up the revs but it still feels as flat as the proverbial...
Almost makes a screech type sound from the turbo at high revs, could be the wastegate stuck ?
Or turbo seized ?
Any ideas ?

[pb63]

boost leak? does it sound like a tractor? If so likely to be this...

The real experts are here: www.sxoc.com/vbb

[ALEXWILLAN]

Sounds fine, no smoke.

[LancerG]

Get it looked at - stick it on a rolling road or read the map & see what is wrong instantly.

If I were you i'd go and see a mapper and leave with loads more power and all the faults sorted for under £400.

Let us know where you are we may be able to recommend

[samoht]

If the lack of power is really obvious I wouldn't book a rolling road session, since someone who knows these cars will be able to spot a boost leak anyway, and you'd then need to order parts and get that fixed before you can do any more diagnosis or mapping.

The gaskets between exhaust manifold and turbo often go, which will give less or no boost - but equally the whole turbo/intercooler/intake system is effectively pressurised, so can leak air causing a similar lack of boost.

If it still has the standard small wing-mount intercooler, this can crack.

But yeah, go to SXOC and read up on boost leaks / turbo problems, then either check the most likely areas yourself (if you have the know-how) or give your location and ask for a recommendation of a nearby mechanic knowledgeable in S-bodies.

[Honestherbert]

It sounds like a gasket leak to me, as samoht says above check turbo gaskets certainly not worth putting on a RR at this stage imo, waste of money. It won't smoke with a boost leak as the turbo is probably not damaged, just allowing the air to escape when on boost.

[pb63]

easy to check your wimg mount intercooler. Just jack it up and take the passenger wheel off. Take the wheel arch liner off and hey presto you can see the wing mount there and it should be pretty obvious if it has a huge crack in it. Mine did... Good excuse for FMIC (Front Mount Inter Cooler)

[RobCrezz]

Manifold or turbo gasket.