The 8 blade has a larger compressor inducer, therefore the inlet on the cover is slightly larger to accept the compressor wheel...So a cover from a 8 blade won't fit a 7 blade wheel correctly. And vice versa. There are also many different cover molds. What sort of info are you looking for in...
Changing the filter to a cone will greatly increase the intake/turbo noise your hear. Along with switching to a hard intake pipe. Everything sounds normal to me, just letting the car breathe more!
First off, ditch the 16g and go with something along the lines of a hx35 or 20g. Both have the capabilities to bolt on as easy as a 16g and make 400whp MUCH easier. A wideband and a boost gauge is what you'll need. And for tuning, definitely go with dsmlink, as everyone else has said. Check out...
I dislike the look of the rpf1s unless they're 17x9. 1g's can fit a 17x9 with +40 offset, but you need coilovers (or trim off the strut perch) and slight trimming of the rear trailing arm. Plus a 255/40 tire.
Beginning of summer 2014 I twisted the splines on the output shaft. And that's been the only real "major" problem. My stock block, with 135k, takes all the beatings I give it, nearly 365 days a year. Sees 30psi from my hx35 everytime it's driven. Just needs a new oil pump gasket because it leaks...
It's been a little over 1.5 years on this setup, daily driven and beat on a little bit every time it's driven. I even still have balance shafts :hellyeah: But as Crash said, I feel like this is pretty common now adays. I'm tempted to go for a bit more, but it scares me because it's my only car.
If you know someone who can weld, easiest way would be getting a flange and having it welded to the stock manifold. I would trust that over any ebay manifold.
Why are you set on keeping the stock turbo? I don't believe 300whp is quite achievable on the t25. If so, not easily. There are many replacement turbos that will bolt right up in stock location without changing a thing that are capable of 300whp and more easily. Also, check out other members...