For several years now I've thought that a hybrid turbo was a stock turbo that has aftermarket compressor housings or other mods to the stock turbo. Recently their have been refrences to BB hybrids. Since I beileve that would get rid of all factory parts I thought this would be a full turbo swawp and not a hybrid. So exactly what's a hybrid turbo? I've got a BNR stage 3 on my turbo which I'm pretty sure is what a hybrid is supposed to be.

 

Hybrid. Generic name given to turbos were things from different manufactures OR different family of parts from the same manufacture are interchanged for a desired result/turbo combination. Stock hybrids typically used the stock turbines and CHRA (center sections) with a new back plate and compressor wheel along with its housing. Some hybrids are more extreme running different turbines. Basically, any part used from another turbo put into another can be called a hybrid. The t3/t4 turbos used on most small 4 bangers and some v6's are considered hybrids. They typically use a t3 turbine mated to the larger t4 compressors. Now as to the references to BB hybrids, its all marketing hype and you most likely seen these terms being thrown around on those POS eBay turbo auctions. The only "hybrid-ish" ball bearing center that comes to mind are turbonetics CHRA. They use a ball bearing front bearing for radial and thrust loads and used a standard sleeve bushing/bearing for the rear. There are older t4 frame based turbos using the newer GT series compressors and turbines which could be considered a "hybrid" such as the "Blowzilla" (GT35 compressor on a t3/t4 frame). Garrett now offers ball bearing CHRA's for the older t3/t4 based turbos, but its no way a 'hybrid". It’s simply a full ball bearing center using its newer GT series technology adapted to the older style housings and backplates. There are numerous "hybrids" out there. DSM guys mate larger compressors to their stock turbines and CHRA's. There’s Euro type hybrids were Audi guys mix and match compressors and stock turbines with other KKK turbo pieces. To sum it up, the word "Hybrid" is simply a generic term referencing swapping/changing parts from either series, families, or different manufacture parts with one another. Perhaps the "BB Hybrid" youheard about may be the new Garrett BB CHRA adapted to a stock turbine. This is possible.

~Mike..........

 

Thanks Mike, I never knew this many combo's were all hybrids.

 

Thats a good explanation..thanks Mike