Been getting a few different requests etc for information on non-stock turbo's, so figured i would together a single thread with as much information as i have found/seen for people to access all in one place
OK, a few assumptions that I'm going to make in this thread...
- Stock location (yes, i know top mounted turbo is sexy, but it's also complicated)
- Turbos are Internally Waste Gated (might do something later about External Waste Gates)
- They're direct "bolt-on" so will attach to stock exhaust manifold and downpipe (or any that connect to stock turbo)
- You understand you'll probably have to upgrade your MAF and MAP sensor
- Getting fuel from standard injectors, so I'm not discussing meth injection, i don't know enough about it
- Things that WON'T be mentioned in the rest of this thread: V-Band, T3, T4, Twin Scroll, T25, Flanges, Screamer pipe (illegal in AUS anyways, 4 figure fines for having one of these)
- You'll need 1 of 2 things to control boost, either an aftermarket boost controller (Manual or 3-port Electronic) or a Stratified Boost dial to use with your stock EBC (2-port) link for set ups
So, now on to your options, of which there is 2 sorts
- Refurbished stock units
- Bolt on kits
REFURBISHED STOCK TURBO
A refurbished stock unit is where people take the stock turbo, play around with it, improve it and send it back to you!
Examples: All BNR units, the CPE elevate turbo, PG Reworked K04 etc....
This means it's designed to work with your stock sized (2.5 inch) inlet pipe, if it connects to a stock turbo, it'll connect to one of these! Nice and easy hey?
For the most part you can just re-use the stock water/oil/coolant lines, but you may as well invest in some braided lines with A/N fittings whilst you've got the turbo out (~$400) these will outlast your car
When installing these, it's possible to leave the exhaust manifold attached to your engine!
"Bolt On Kits"
ATP is currently the only company that makes a direct bolt on turbo for us.
They come in 2 flavours GT and GTX (if you can get a GTX version, strongly suggest it...)
in order from quickest spool/lowest power to slowest spool/highest power:
- 2867 (GTX only)
- 2871 (GT only)
- 3071
- 3076
- 35R
(Technically the GTX2867 should produce more power than a GT2871, but havent seen any evidence of this yet...)
The 3071, 3076 and 35R will all flow enough air that you'll be limited to the amount of power you can make simply by the stock fuel system (about 300-320kw atw). Unfortunately higher flowing injectors (like you see on XR6 Turbos, WRX, Evo's etc) are not available for our platform, or any other Direct Injection system.
The 30's and 35R's require a 4 inch inlet, there is an abundance of options out there now (JBR/HTP/CPE/ATP)
The GT28 also has a 4" inlet, whilst the GTX28 has a 3"
These turbos come with the option for different waste gate pressures... 7psi, 14psi and 21psi, unless you have a built block and plan on running heaps of boost, i suggest going with the 14psi, as a general rule, shouldn't ever run more than 2x spring pressure
these require non-standard oil/coolant lines, which are often supplied in the kits, but when @MPS2NV and @LittleredMPS installed mine, they werent overly impressed with the quality, so, like the turbo's above, might be worth the investment in proper braided A/N lines
As a general rule, i would suggest either a BNR S3 or GT/GTX3071 for 90% of people on this forum as the upgrade of choice.
If any other questions, feel free to ask, and will do best to answer!
couple of extra things i've been asked in recent times:
- Larger than stock intakes: These are fine as long as you have a tune for them... if you're getting a shop to tune, drive it there with the stock intake, and spend ~30 minutes swapping it out to the bigger one
- Gaskets: these are a something easily forgotten... there is 3 you'll need to get: engine -> manifold; manifold -> turbo; turbo -> DP
- Exhaust manifold... makes sense to change it when swapping turbos, cause unless you're going a BNR, you're going to have to pull it anyways
- double and triple check you have the right connector for your turbo!