My T25 turbo verdict, scrap it or not???

9th July 2009, 19:14

I'm debating whether or not I should pay for this turbo to be rebuilt (£150+VAT) or scrap it and buy a complete kit including a new turbo, the new turbo could be either a GT17, T2, T2 tweaked actuator, or a TB04 all of which I'm lead to believe are hybrids, any thoughts/advise and opinions appreciated, I'm aiming to run my VTS on low boost but would like to grow into it once finance's allow for a rebuilt & forged bottom end.

Hot side of turbo, has no movement in impeller what so ever and looks to have no damage to the impellers either.

Cold side of turbo, has roughly 1mm play in impeller, been told that this is to be expected and the movement is taken up when the turbo has oil pressure.

There's a hairline crack here, can only been seen when the wastegate is held open

(Any opinions on how serious this is???)

Not sure but there should be no gaps here (around bolt), obviously on mine there is?(Again any opinions on how serious this is???)

Some measurements.

ManC

9th July 2009, 19:16

Take it to a turbo specialist to see if, its worth rebuilding.

Failing that flog on ebay, with a few random bits and call it a turbo kit!!!

9th July 2009, 19:48

looks fine same turbo i used on my last one that remember what I said about the manifold and downpipe

9th July 2009, 19:55

Cracking near the wastegate is common on those turbos, I had a hairline crack in mine too and was told as long as I didnt try to use too much boost and kept the inlet temps relatively cool it would not get worse.

9th July 2009, 19:55

crack in the waste gate housing is normal. They can be much worse than that and still be useable.

Wack it on and see how you go, looks like a goer to me

9th July 2009, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quick

Take it to a turbo specialist to see if, its worth rebuilding.

Failing that flog on ebay, with a few random bits and call it a turbo kit!!!

If they would inspect/test the turbo for a small amount of cash I would, all I've spoken to so far want alot to simply inspect & test before any work is even done

PMSL re sell it as a cheap kit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sophia_Bush

looks fine same turbo i used on my last one that remember what I said about the manifold and downpipe

Thanks for the input again Gav, didnt realise it looks very similiar to yours... was your turbo .48 & .49 A/R also? You know my plans in regards to manifold & downpipe pal, nothing has changed in regards to that, been in contact with them again and he said he dont mind parting with a kit without a turbo, may take him up on that LOL, I still have a doubt that this turbo wont fit there mani & dp, or it wont line up with the zorst or somthing...

Quote:

Originally Posted by makaveli144

Cracking near the wastegate is common on those turbos, I had a hairline crack in mine too and was told as long as I didnt try to use too much boost and kept the inlet temps relatively cool it would not get worse.

Good to hear someone else has experience of a hairline crack round the wastegate. I hope to have a FMIC and use where I can heatwrap (defo on downpipe), all of which should keep inlet temps down, I have the ability to monitor inlet temps with the Predator & megatune, I'll insure I do this if I do decide to run this turbo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanmt

crack in the waste gate housing is normal. They can be much worse than that and still be useable.

Wack it on and see how you go, looks like a goer to me

Cheers for the input Ryan, two opinions re the crack have put a bit more confidence in this turbo now.

Do you informed guys suggest I still have the turbo rebuilt & tested?

Any thought on the gap on this image?

Thanks all.

9th July 2009, 21:33

all fine will fit do it

10th July 2009, 00:04

Right ok - things to consider

Is this turbo cheap? - whats it off!

If its something really rare then scrap it whats the point of having a down pipe etc made for something that could blow in the future and make it hard to find a replacement.

assuming its off something cheap (ie tomcat) then use it, if it blows sort another.. simples!

for example : i bought a 200sx turbo T25 with a cracked housing.
It it blows, oh well. Whip the radiator out for easy access and swap it with another 2nd had turbo. I paid £0.00000 for mine

10th July 2009, 08:51

those turbos came off saab 9000/9-3 & 9-5 so they are about aplenty

10th July 2009, 09:40

should be fine for your car, aslong as you don't try getting too much out of it

10th July 2009, 09:42

Yea Sophia is right, this turbo is off a Saab 9000 2.3L 200bhp, only part number on turbo is 443854-0055 (on cartridge) with a bit of digging round it's also known as a 465183-0008 which says its a Garrett TB2531

With all the assurance I've had here I'm going to pay to have this turbo refurbished/tested just for the 'extra' piece of mind, last thing I want is for it to fall to pieces and bit fly off into the inlet manifold

this way I have 1yrs warranty and if it fails after the year I'll source a bigger TB04

Sophia, Had a sum of money through the insurance now so i can go ahead and get the body panels and get it all fixed, I'm trying to get it done as cheap as possible hopefully leaving me a little boost money

. 'If' all goes to plan I'll be picking up the basic kit in the next 2/3 months hopefully sooner

ManC

10th July 2009, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmx91ben

should be fine for your car, aslong as you don't try getting too much out of it

Thanks, I'm hoping to run a safe 6psi, I respect my car too much to start running 9psi ++, or am I fooling myself LOL

ManC

10th July 2009, 12:55

I have a contact at a saab breakers, they sell the turbos for £60 regardless of condition. Its up to you to check em out. So if you blow it, just get another by the time you've gone through 10, you've paid for a new GT25. - Bargain.

But at 6psi even a well used turbo isn't going to be stressed into popping.