1997 talon Tsi AWD Turbo Issues...

[GODofWARREN]

Alright Im stuck and lost guys...
I just got done rebuilding my car and its a 1997 Tsi AWD 5 speed, with a 16g. I put the motor back together and everything runs fine idles great, but the turbo wont start spooling until around 3k-3.5k rpms? with previous 16g turbos ive had, it started at 2k-2.5k rpms? Of course I did a BLT and found none?
Then 2 days ago I go to start my car and I hear some metal clanging and a grind and my car starts and idles normally, but now has an ungodly exhaust leak. I get the car home and pull the intake pipe off and discover the turbine wheel in the turbo is completely stuck and will not budge, and that there is an exhaust leak coming from my tubular headers. So today i go out to continue dissassembling the headers, the the damn turbine wheel in the turbo is moving and spinning freely, with still zero shaft play?
Im lost, never seen a turbo not spool like that with zero leaks, and then just get completely stuck? Any help would be awesome, thanks guys.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Sounds like an ebay header, because it cracked.Leading to what I assume is your extra turbo lag.
Thats logic right there.

 

[GODofWARREN]

I had a feeling it was something like that, but does that mean my 16g is ok, or is it toast as well with it being stuck and now spinning freely...?

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

Grab a 2g manifold or a Fp manifold and you should be ok. Your turbo should be ok but while your in there I'd check for shaft play

 

[GODofWARREN]

Alright I checked for shaft play, seems great, no in/out or up/down. Is there anything else I should check for?

 

[Sebba]

Sounds like an ebay header, because it cracked.Leading to what I assume is your extra turbo lag.
Thats logic right there.

You've been here how long? Yet you still call it a header...