I just picked up a Gen III and the turbos are only producing 3-5lbs boost and at times not spooling at all. I had them looked at by a rotary mechanic and he told me he couldn't figure out what the problem was but that he replaced the grounds (that's what got them to 3-5lbs, they weren't spooling prior to that - the car didn't have a boost gauge and when I drove I'm positive I could hear them spool and hear them blow out plus feel the boost, I bought the car 3 days later without driving it again) but he said they were probably "just tired". What does that mean? Do I need to give them some gatorade and a power bar? What do you guys think? Replace them or is their work that can be done to them?

 

mine did that i had a collapsed cat and only boosted 5psi i found out when i replaced it with a new high flow my boost intantly went up it felt great again you could try that and see if your catalytic converter is bad

 

sounds like something in the rats nest, or possibly clogged pre-cat, as that is normally the first to go. What "rotary mechanic" did you take it to? List mods to the car, mileage. etc. and we can help more...