Well this is what i wanna know. Should i get used turbos? Or should i try to rebuild them? Im gettin about 2-5 psi on my secondary turbo...and it is also leaking oil a little....after a hard run u can see some smoke comming from it (just a little)....when i look under the hood. Im guessin that it's the bearings and such.....i havent checked yet but im pretty sure that's what it is. It's been that way since the day i got it...about 2 months ago. I know many of you would tell me to go ahead and for out about 3grand for some new or upgraded ones...but i cant. Ya see im REALLY short on cash right now and i owe my dad like 2 grand also. So that option is just ...well not one. How hard is it to rebuild them? I have some experience working on engines. I also have access to many many tools. Is this something that i should try? Or should i try and get some used ones....i just need something cause my car isnt a 13.7 second car...it's more like a 14.7....i cant stand being slow!! Any help is appreciated...also one more thing. I've heard all kinds of nasty stuff about turbo city and rebuilding the turbos...but what about the rebuild kits they send u...are these good? If not where should i look for an answer to my turbo needs? Thanks alot guys/gals

Andrew

 

I, personally have had good luck out of used turbos, although most on the forum will tell you not to mess with them. you should be able to find a good low mileage set for less than $500.
I have heard that rebuilt ones are pretty crappy, unless you go with pettit, or one of the rotary specialty companies. So, if you are on a budget, just get some used ones.

 

Problem with used ones is you never know what you're going to get - they can SAY they only have 20K on them and there is no shaft play - but then you install them and they leak - there are some decent used ones out there but I wouldn't bother. Since you like tinkering around your car - take your turbos out (pain in the *** - takes a few hours) and send them to BNR for a rebuild $750 and you get them back looking brand new - DON't send them to Turbo City - heard bad things from a forum member - Bryan at BNR offers a 1 year/unlimited mileage warranty and his work kicks *** - he has upgrades that produce huge power but for budget - &750 for basically new and balanced turbos is well worth it.

 

Get some used ones or get them rebuilt at BNR.
With used ones you never really sure what you are going to get though.

 

glassman is right...BUT ONLY PARTIALLY ...bnr has a good rep on this forum...get them rebuilt there.

getting a used set is a crapshoot...and dont be surprised if they dump your oil all over your driveway.

DO NOT USE TURBO CITY OR PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES....i had two failed sets in less than six months from those ***** holes.


btw...the used sets around here...ive seen at least five used sets from the forum...every set i saw leaked...though they swore they were low miles and didnt leak.

j

 

hmm....750 isnt that bad for having a good quality rebuild. but im gonna have to save for a lil while.

 

If you want to rebuild them call Turbo Engineering at 303-271-3927. They sell a rebuild kit for about 400.00, I don't know what they charge to do the rebuild but it's not that hard to do if you the are mech. type. Just mark everything so you can realign them properly. There is one seal that you will need a press to install. Are you sure that they need to be rebuilt? Your boost problem doesn't sould like a bad turbo and putting 400.00 to 800.00 in a rebuild will feel like a waste if it doesn't fix your boost.

 

If your burning oil out of the secondary turbo, then your piston ring is probably either bad or carboned up. Rebuilding the stock turbo's isn't too hard(the snap ring on the compressor housing is the hardest thing to remove), but unless you've done it more than once, I would either get a used set(along with the risk) or get BNR to rebuild yours.