I've been noticing a rash of threads about '99 spec turbos recently and I guess I am a bit confused. As far as I can tell, the following four points are not controversial:

1. '99 spec turbos flow about the same, have marginally higher boost capabilities, and spool a little faster than stock - but more or less put down the same power.

2. '99 spec turbos cost about $2595 new.

3. BNR stage III turbos flow significantly more than stock, have significantly higher boost capabilities (as in 18psi+), and spool roughly the same as the stock twins - and have been shown to put down 400+ rwhp sequentially without drama.

4. BNR IIIs cost $2350 new.

Um, have I missed something subtle?

 

bnr require a good core to be used vs the 99 spec is just another set of turbo

 

Good cores can be had for a few hundred bucks, and most people will already have a decent core on their car: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/bnr-iii-buy-worn-turbos-use-my-own-core-599166/

 

For BNRs, you don't really need a 'good' core, in that the rotating assys can be totally screwed and it doesnt matter---bryan just tosses those in the trash. It's primarily important to have minimal cracking in the portion of the turbine manifold that bolts to the exhaust manifold.