A turbocharger has been a part of this cars build plan before there was even a car to build. My initial plan was to learn as much as I could about the things (despite the fact that I have owned several already), and purchase (at my own peril) the dreaded, Chinese "ebay" turbo to keep the price under control.
Firstly, since I intended to buy a turbo from some supplier that would undoubtedly have little in the "service, and tech" departments, I had to learn about which turbo I was gonna want. Through a combination of books, forum advice, and other online sources,....all which only manage to slightly clear up the murky water revolving around proper turbo sizing, I start to get some Idea of what I'll need.
It doesn't take long before I go straight to the "cliff notes" section, and find an online turbo recommendation calculator.
With the turbo calculator, you plug in a bunch of figures, and it spits out a couple of recommendations based on popular American turbo manufacturers. The calculator was recommending either something like a Garrett GT-35, or a Turbonetics 60-1.
Simple,.....All I gotta do is find some ebay turbo, w/ a 60mm inducer, a .70 cold side A/R, a T-3 flange, 4" intake, 2.5" compressor outlet, 3" V band outlet and a .68 hotside A/R.......
There really can't be that much difference between the American hair dryer, and the ebay version, right?.....Right?
So I look.
The GT-35/ 60-1 American turbos range between 900.00, and 1500.00.....depending on who's selling it, and what supposedly has been done to it upgrade wise.
The Chinese version starts at 189.00. The most expensive version,... ( (sold by a true Chinese supplier,...IN China) a tick under 600.00, Sporting a billet impeller, and dual ceramic ball bearing shaft supports.
An American version w/ those same modifications would be close to 2 grand.
I check the guys feedback score, and look at his reviews, and he scores very high. Why wouldn't the turbo he's selling be a good deal? I mean It's 350% CHEAPER than the next comparable American brand, apples for apples.
More research in the turbo forums finds that these guys think that there is NO acceptable Chinese turbo, w/ several examples citing impeller explosions due to inferior wheel metalurgy, ( further trashing the engine) and imbalance issues that dramatically shorten the life expectancy of the turbo.
So how do you know?
I buy one of the cheapies, just to see what it looks like. I pay 189.00 ( cause it ships for free). 5 days later I have it. The next day, I send it back. ( The 580.00 Chinese billet wheel, dual ball bearing turbo seems more likely now).
The return freight costs me 40.00,...and the seller wants his shipping as part of my refund.
( It ends up costing me 80.00 to open the box, and close it back)
I talk to one of my friends, who after hearing me bit ch for a half hour suggests I just call Reed at Works Turbocharger here in the city.
I meet w/ that guy today,and after a conversation that lasts all of 30 minutes, has me forking over a 300.00 deposit for a Borg Warner twin scroll S300SX-3 60mm turbo. Total price 685.00.
What do I get for more than three times my original intended investment?
An expert that knows what he's doing, 5 miles away from me.
An American turbo. Recommended by the expert.
Additional features that include a re-balanced rotating assy, and a heat resistant coated center section.
Help w/ sourcing my exhaust parts.
A next door chassis dyno, w/ a guy that is thoroughly familiar w/ megasquirt.
Peace of mind.
Firstly, since I intended to buy a turbo from some supplier that would undoubtedly have little in the "service, and tech" departments, I had to learn about which turbo I was gonna want. Through a combination of books, forum advice, and other online sources,....all which only manage to slightly clear up the murky water revolving around proper turbo sizing, I start to get some Idea of what I'll need.
It doesn't take long before I go straight to the "cliff notes" section, and find an online turbo recommendation calculator.
With the turbo calculator, you plug in a bunch of figures, and it spits out a couple of recommendations based on popular American turbo manufacturers. The calculator was recommending either something like a Garrett GT-35, or a Turbonetics 60-1.
Simple,.....All I gotta do is find some ebay turbo, w/ a 60mm inducer, a .70 cold side A/R, a T-3 flange, 4" intake, 2.5" compressor outlet, 3" V band outlet and a .68 hotside A/R.......
There really can't be that much difference between the American hair dryer, and the ebay version, right?.....Right?
So I look.
The GT-35/ 60-1 American turbos range between 900.00, and 1500.00.....depending on who's selling it, and what supposedly has been done to it upgrade wise.
The Chinese version starts at 189.00. The most expensive version,... ( (sold by a true Chinese supplier,...IN China) a tick under 600.00, Sporting a billet impeller, and dual ceramic ball bearing shaft supports.
An American version w/ those same modifications would be close to 2 grand.
I check the guys feedback score, and look at his reviews, and he scores very high. Why wouldn't the turbo he's selling be a good deal? I mean It's 350% CHEAPER than the next comparable American brand, apples for apples.
More research in the turbo forums finds that these guys think that there is NO acceptable Chinese turbo, w/ several examples citing impeller explosions due to inferior wheel metalurgy, ( further trashing the engine) and imbalance issues that dramatically shorten the life expectancy of the turbo.
So how do you know?
I buy one of the cheapies, just to see what it looks like. I pay 189.00 ( cause it ships for free). 5 days later I have it. The next day, I send it back. ( The 580.00 Chinese billet wheel, dual ball bearing turbo seems more likely now).
The return freight costs me 40.00,...and the seller wants his shipping as part of my refund.
( It ends up costing me 80.00 to open the box, and close it back)
I talk to one of my friends, who after hearing me bit ch for a half hour suggests I just call Reed at Works Turbocharger here in the city.
I meet w/ that guy today,and after a conversation that lasts all of 30 minutes, has me forking over a 300.00 deposit for a Borg Warner twin scroll S300SX-3 60mm turbo. Total price 685.00.
What do I get for more than three times my original intended investment?
An expert that knows what he's doing, 5 miles away from me.
An American turbo. Recommended by the expert.
Additional features that include a re-balanced rotating assy, and a heat resistant coated center section.
Help w/ sourcing my exhaust parts.
A next door chassis dyno, w/ a guy that is thoroughly familiar w/ megasquirt.
Peace of mind.