Die-ing Turbo

[clarry]

I think my turbo is about to die with only an easy 44,000klms on the clock. Its more than 12-months out of warranty now so Mazda aren't gonna want to know.
Four times now, over the past few months, when idling in traffic it starts to blow heavy bluish-white smoke. Thick enough that the guy behind will disappear. Quite embarrassing really. When you drive off it stops after 50-metres or so. Might go some weeks before doing it again.
I have spoken with the guys at CES Racing here in Bris about this and Trevor is sure the problem will be turbo seals. About $2K to replace with a refurbished unit with better seals and bearings.
I am thinking while its laid up in the shop I might spend a bit more and get them to do their full exhaust (mild steel only) from Turbo back as well a tune. Might be about $4K+ by the end of this but it will be far more reliable in the future and will certainly go a whole lot better.
Any thoughts?

[Damnfuzz]

Thoughts:

Turbo dieing: Sad news.

Trip to CES for goodies: Happy news...

Maybe a BNR turbo upgrade is in order while you are mucking around in the engine bay?

[Jmac]

Might as well go the bnr for that amount of dosh

[luke 3mps]

2xs or corksport DP ( u can use the 2nd to save $$) and BNR...

[Toddy22587]

Seems like a lot of MPS turbos have taken up smoking in the past month. I would also suggest BNR

[guitar69]

My turbo appears to be on it's way out as well, Clarry.
I have only just recently installed a DP, TIP, and 3" exhaust and I'm pretty sure that this combo contributed to the apparent demise of my snail.
If I had my druthers, I'd do exactly what you're proposing, but probably with a BNR stage 2 turbo.
In for a penny, in for a pound, mate.

[Onyx]

May I ask why choose a rebuilt BNR? If you need to change a turbo, why not go for brand new Garrett turbo instead (i.e GT3076)?
If you read on mazdaspeed forums, more yanks prefer Garrett over BNR. The cost may be significant between 2. But if you want to upgrade, why not do it with a bigger & better turbo?

[rayd]

May I ask why choose a rebuilt BNR? If you need to change a turbo, why not go for brand new Garrett turbo instead (i.e GT3076)?
If you read on mazdaspeed forums, more yanks prefer Garrett over BNR. The cost may be significant between 2. But if you want to upgrade, why not do it with a bigger & better turbo?

The costs are alot bigger mate,

with the T3 ur gonna need forged internals to support the huge flow, + maybe bottom end work... big $$$ (and thats assuming its a bolt on kit, otherwise + costs for custom mani and other supporting pipes... the BNR's dont need any of that , both would require upgraded fuel pump tho, or better internals...

[SarcasticOne]

The other thing is, a stage 1 or 2 bnr won't sacrifice much in the lower rev range... you only have 6500 or so rpm to play with, don't want there to only be usable power for the upper 2500 do you?

[luke 3mps]

there are so many variables with these engines. i feel if u run a stage 1 BNR with fmic,cai,DP standback no need for internals. But if u start messn with flashes above 5500- 6000rpm with big power gains u will need forged internals. Speaking from experience