Used turbo or New turbo ? Help!

We may earn a small commission from affiliate links and paid advertisements. Terms

M

MJ93Hatchback

New Member
i hope that this hasn't been posted a million times, and I assure you I have done my research but I keep coming up with a split answer. Half of what i have found say it's better to get used turbo parts and piece it together, other say buy name brand parts are better because you get what you pay for. I guess some might say it depends on your budget and goals...but would it be worth the extra money to piece together a brand new turbo kit...or piece together one using used parts? This is going to most likely going on a sohc zc motor(if that helps) My goals aren't to be the "top dog" around just get the best bang for the money. Plus the car is going to be my everyday driver...any advice, suggestions, or anything would help. Just looking for different opinions.
 
if i was you, i would just go to a local shop, a reputable one at that, and buy a used turbo. i wouldn't buy a used turbo online, but thats just me. then i would piece together the rest of the kit.
 
get_nick said:
if i was you, i would just go to a local shop, a reputable one at that, and buy a used turbo. i wouldn't buy a used turbo online, but thats just me. then i would piece together the rest of the kit.
Click to expand...

well check this out, i found a used turbo for a good price, it was on another guys civic and he is selling it for a good price, says because he is selling his car, and also says it works with no problems.. and it comes with everything I will need to install it in my car... of course imma check it out in person before purchasing but what do u think about something like that?
 
MJ93Hatchback said:
well check this out, i found a used turbo for a good price, it was on another guys civic and he is selling it for a good price, says because he is selling his car, and also says it works with no problems.. and it comes with everything I will need to install it in my car... of course imma check it out in person before purchasing but what do u think about something like that?
Click to expand...
what name brand is the turbo
 
it's a garret t25..most likely out of a dsm or Mitsubishi, which I am sure you know that already...the only problem is they guy said it has slight shaft play...how slight is slight I don't know...and I believe thats I cold prob. piece a new on together for 1000 or less... thats with everything, and getting just the turbo and manifold brand name and the rest of brand...I think I could get this whole set up for in the $400's somewhere...my dilemma is will it be worth it to spend twice as much and get new, or get this used set up or even one like it... like I said before I have gotten both responses by researching on internet...so I am looking towards you guys to see what yall think
 
Not for nothin, but a Garret t25 isn't worth that much money to begin with even with a manifold. When people sell used parts and they tell you there is slight damage, that usually means its not going to last. He told you it has shaft play. Most people are out to make a buck and do not care about the buyer whatsoever. It's sad, but very true. I would personally buy it new.

When putting together a turbo setup, there are three main parts of the system you need to be quality. Your manifold, your turbo and your wastegate. Everything else can be had from ebay cheap and work just as well as the name brand stuff. I speak from experience, not from what I hear people say on forums. Good luck :thumbsup:
 
yeah thats what I was kinda leaning towards...I appreciate the response, I think I am def. gonna do that though...get a good manifold, turbo, and wastegate and inexpensive everything else and I am good to go...now let me ask you a dumb question...I always thought a cast iron manifold would be stronger than a stainless steel, but I was seeing things saying the steel is stronger..so which one will actually hold up better against cracking?...also what would you recommend would be a good price I would need to spend on a wastegate...I am working with a budget but what would you recommend the least amount to spend on one to ensure quality (not that price always means quality) but maybe a general area an what exactly to look for...
 
Last edited:
the cheap stinless steel are worthless. they will definitely fail. cast iron is the way to go. no question. you dont need to spend alot of money on your manifold, which is another common misconception when designing your own boost kit. as long as its cast iron, youre straight. you can find a quality mani that will last for 200 shipped on ebay. as for the wastegate, obviously a $30 shipped unit is a bad idea, but you also dont have to go and spend $700 on a tial. there are plenty of manufacturers out there will reasonably priced parts, you just gotta look. you can also consider running an internally wastegated turbo to cut down on cost! theyre generally set at 7 to 10 psi which is just the right level for a bolt on and tune affair.
 
you could easily find a internal wg turbo/cast mani on ebay fo 500-600 shipped. and that'll be the most expensive purchase for the whole setup. its all downhill from there.
 
te04h

hey i have a te04h turbo if you want it its set at about 8 lbs and its internal wastegated.
 
I dont remember if it was on here or the Sube site, but I read the Ebay turbo's actually work well when used with a oil restrictor. I had a EVO3 big 16G Ebay turbo and it worked well for me. Needed a lil work to actually work but this was also in the very beginning of the KO turbo phase. Ive heard theyve come along way now. Are you going to use a modded dsm turbo manifold? If so, go with at least a big 16g for a turbo!
 
no i used a dodge manifold and had to offset the holes and make a flange to the front. my car 92 prelude doesnt want to get boost. why?
 
thanks, this is all good information... I am def. gonna keep doing research and take my time and price everything and try to come about the best deal's possible...So would I actually need to get a name brand turbo like garret, turbonetics, hks, greddy to make sure I get a good one...or is there another brand out there that less expensive but good quality as well... and if someone says or i find a t3/ t4 turbo or something but it's not name brand how could I ensure or tell rather it's good quality or not?
 
It looks ok, but the price is VERY low. Which makes it suspect for me. The last cheap ebay mani I bought did NOT fit AT ALL!!! Make sure you can return it if it doesnt fit, but yeah it looks alright :)
 
I love the way it looks and I dunno if the shape of it would give me better performance or not...but the thing for me is that cast iron is suppose to hold up better and they have cast iron manifolds similar prices...so if the cast iron would be better for not cracking then I would guess that would be better and what also gets me is it says " it flows better than cheap cast iron and is less prone to cracking" that would contradict what I have been told, and also all i head is dont get cheap ebay crap so I didn't know if this was just thator rather it might be legit for what it is ( just trying to consider all my options )
 
It prolly flows better but def is not less prone to cracking. I cant see any runner supports on that mani either, so that prolly REALLY is NOT the case. If you buy it, have someone weld some braces onto it. Make sure you make a turbo brace as well!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top