I have a chance to pick up a S4 turbo and manifold for $50, is there anything in particular I should look for on this, problem areas, etc? I believe the car it comes off has fairly high milage.

 

Shouldn't this be in the 2nd gen. section?

 

Not really, it will be going on a 1st gen. I suppose it could go there, but I prefer the opinions of people here.

 

Oh.

 

look for cracks, epsecially on the wastegate where it connects to the plumbing. look for shaft play and what kind of shape the compressor wheel is in. find out if the twin-scroll actuators have been removed and welded. if so, and it was done right, GO FOR IT! if it hasn't and you do get this turbo; REMOVE THE TWIN SCROLL ACTUATORS! they will cause boost creep if you leave them. that's all i can think of, i mean for 50 bucks that's not bad, but it may need a rebuild which could cost anywhere from a hundred to four hundred dollars depending on what shop. here in NC we have turbonetics which owns and they rebuild s4 turbos for around 150 scrilla. hope i helped!

 

Look for cracks in the turbine housing..... that is eventually what renders an otherwise good turbo completely useless.

 

in what's gonna go to, on a gslse engine?

 

see now this is a guy who knows whats goin on

 

It will possibly go on a 87 na motor someday in the future (couple years for now). Need to get the car drivable first, then swap from F.I. to carb. Why, just because I want to.

 

yeah s4 turbos are basically junk, they arent near as reliable as s5 ones, and s5 ones arent that good either, but if you looking for a quick turbo to snag for cheap then yeah, but for $50 Id say the manifold is cracked to hell and the turbo is in pretty bad shape

 

Thanks for the heads up. I will check it out carefully before buying!