"Best" or your recommendation for street car turbo selection...?

[TheMaddWrapper]

So I know this has been discussed at pretty good length, but the threads seem stretched out over the years. I'm sitting between an EvoIII Big 16 and 68HTA... I'm sure I've read every thread here on the two, but it seems hard to find some one who can just say which turbo is the most balanced for street driving, though I'm leaning towards the EVOIII for simplicity. The 68 seems to spool slow, miss a hit like the TDo5 turbos, and some other gripes. Car will be on DSM/ECM link, supporting mods, no budget... not looking to build a drag car, just some thing FUN and QUICK... am I wrong to think the EvoIII is the best selection if I'm not squeezing every last drop out of this thing? This will be my daily, street car, snow goer, etc... not looking for all out power but obviously want some pep in her step. Stock 1990 GSX currently. Planning to run FMIC, STM full exhaust (unless there's another recommendation), electric boost controller, supporting fuel, etc... thoughts? I don't mind some spool up time, just don't wanna trade it for 15 or 20hp up top and have it be a bit of a street slouch... any and all feedback is much appreciated, especially from those running these turbos currently, or those who have run both. Thanks!

 

[92AWDHX40]

Hta68

 

[TerminalTalon]

Who says the 68 spools slow?

 

[92AWDHX40]

Hta6

 

[Canadian_CD9A]

You probably wouldn’t notice a difference between the v1 or v3 HTA68 and the Evo III 16G. The v2 HTA68 is laggy, relative. Condition and authenticity are the things I’d be most concerned about here, so I’d just go with a brand new MHI 16G from ExtremePSI.

 

[jdxnc]

Some of the most fun I ever had with my car was on a TD05 20g which is roughly equivalent of the 68HTA(I was past these power levels when it arrived on the market). I've run a 14b, s16g, e316g, 20g, 50 trim, 3071, FP red and several larger stock frame turbos. The 20g with probably the best bang for the buck of all of them and I would highly recommend the 68 from my experience. It'll make some decent jam but it's also not making so much that you're breaking shit left and right.

 

[TheMaddWrapper]

Who says the 68 spools slow?

Not slow, slowER ... just seemed a common theme between the EvoIII and 68 that it wasn't worth the extra dough for a bit more top end a bit more lag. Also the comment below your original. Realistically the EvoIII sounds like it'll be good enough for a street build for now... I can always build a motor and go bonkers on E85 later... just looking for something quick and fun without things breaking much or at all. Been out the DSM game a while so just trying to catch myself back up.

 

[GIB]

Get the 68 HTA. I have a 68HTA version 2 on my 2.4 Stroker and it is very good. You can go through my profile to see the stats. I have my dyno sheet on there as well.

 

[ist dwa]

I've run basically every size turbo you can and the 68 is by far my fav street turbo, it spools so quick and pulls hard to 8k.

With good cams, tuning and ethanol its a 500whp setup all day every day.

 

[Dannyrampage1]

If money is no problem then get a nice size turbo and reenforced the weak parts like I did get the rear end cover+ rear end deferential caps T- case brace replace the the carrier bearings bushings to minimize movement I too shooting for 500 whp on pump gas but capable of 8/900 HP with a flip of a switch to E-85

 

[Dannyrampage1]

If money is no problem then get a nice size turbo and reenforced the weak parts like I did get the rear end cover+ rear end deferential caps T- case brace replace the the carrier bearings bushings to minimize movement I too shooting for 500 whp on pump gas but capable of 8/900 HP with a flip of a switch to E-85 I'm running a JM FAB intake manifold Morrison Fabrications exhaust manifold 272 Kelford cams AEM CAM gears kiggly street springs with GSC valve seats super tech over sizes valves 1000cc presicion injectors Manley rods wiseco pistons eagle crank and a Garrett GT 3582R turbo with a.82A/R hot side housing

 

[Canadian_CD9A]

If money is no problem then get a nice size turbo and reenforced the weak parts like I did get the rear end cover+ rear end deferential caps T- case brace replace the the carrier bearings bushings to minimize movement I too shooting for 500 whp on pump gas but capable of 8/900 HP with a flip of a switch to E-85

If the guy is torn between a 16G and an HTA68 for a car he's going to use around town daily, why are you recommending a 900hp setup to him?

 

[biglady112]

Not slow, slowER ... just seemed a common theme between the EvoIII and 68 that it wasn't worth the extra dough for a bit more top end a bit more lag. Also the comment below your original. Realistically the EvoIII sounds like it'll be good enough for a street build for now... I can always build a motor and go bonkers on E85 later... just looking for something quick and fun without things breaking much or at all. Been out the DSM game a while so just trying to catch myself back up.

They are the same. You will never notice from the seat of your pants. I have tuned probably nearly 500 16g styles cars and they are all the same. Chinese, MHI, FP. The only difference is reliability.

 

[biglady112]

I've run basically every size turbo you can and the 68 is by far my fav street turbo, it spools so quick and pulls hard to 8k.

With good cams, tuning and ethanol its a 500whp setup all day every day.

Please don’t spread misinformation about that turbo making 500hp. Even 400 is not the norm.

 

[jed344]

Please don’t spread misinformation about that turbo making 500hp. Even 400 is not the norm.

I was going to say the same thing. In my 15 years on this platform tuning, building motors, either using or tuning cars with anything from stock to 10:1 6870 cars. I have yet to see a 16g variant including hta68 make a real 500whp. Maybe someone on a generous dyno or with a lot of correction factor. Between the 2 i would pick up a good used evo 3 16g and call it a day. Spool's very fast and can do 300+ on pump and with correct set up you can stretch it into 400's on e85. The compressor map and rated lb/min of any turbo is what it is capable of but it does not mean it can or will on any set up or fuel. The amount of "500hp" cars i see that then trap sub 120 mph. Then we make a pass on a tune up that made 500's on a mustang dyno and trap 139mph. I think the 16g choices are good i have no issues with them. Just time to stop the easy to make 500hp on them.

 

[TheMaddWrapper]

They are the same. You will never notice from the seat of your pants. I have tuned probably nearly 500 16g styles cars and they are all the same. Chinese, MHI, FP. The only difference is reliability.

Appreciate all the feedback! Are you saying the EvoIII and V3 68 are about the same? If so, the III is half the price.

@Dannyrampage1: If money is no problem then get a nice size turbo and reenforced the weak parts like I did get the rear end cover+ rear end deferential caps T- case brace replace the the carrier bearings bushings to minimize movement I too shooting for 500 whp on pump gas but capable of 8/900 HP with a flip of a switch to E-85

Correct, "no budget"... but that doesn't mean I wanna build a drag car... I'm just stating that I can get whatever I want, BUT FOR THIS CAR... it's gonna be a daily and take it up to the snow, etc. No cams. No build. I wanna jump in, start it, drive it, have fun. You see my signature, I own very fast cars... this doesn't need to be one of them, but it needs to not be stock AF, ya know?

I'm in California so the more stock it looks the better. Just deciding if the 68 is worth double the money or if a 16G will accomplish a fun, quick, daily street car with some juice. If the 68 gives me more long term viability with the option to "turn it up" I'd rather buy once and be able to have more fun later... but ultimately, I just want a reliable, fun DSM. I know... DSM and reliable are horrible bed fellows... but as close as possible .

 

[biglady112]

Appreciate all the feedback! Are you saying the EvoIII and V3 68 are about the same? If so, the III is half the price.



Correct, "no budget"... but that doesn't mean I wanna build a drag car... I'm just stating that I can get whatever I want, BUT FOR THIS CAR... it's gonna be a daily and take it up to the snow, etc. No cams. No build. I wanna jump in, start it, drive it, have fun. You see my signature, I own very fast cars... this doesn't need to be one of them, but it needs to not be stock AF, ya know?

I'm in California so the more stock it looks the better. Just deciding if the 68 is worth double the money or if a 16G will accomplish a fun, quick, daily street car with some juice. If the 68 gives me more long term viability with the option to "turn it up" I'd rather buy once and be able to have more fun later... but ultimately, I just want a reliable, fun DSM. I know... DSM and reliable are horrible bed fellows... but as close as possible .

They are very near the same thing. You won’t really be able to tell the difference in the seat of your pants. The FP 16g’s are not what they are cracked up to be. This is first hand experience talking here.

 

[miliman13]

from personal experience I have used the t25 ,16g and a garret/ precision hybrid Td04 20g. I recommend the 16g due to its simplicity and easy bolt on. It’s responsive and doesn’t suffer from lag…great for low mid rpm’s ….but you feel the absence of power as the rpm’s increase.

However the only negative with the 20g is a tiny lag at low rpm’s , but when it spools it’s a run a way train. And keeps making power at higher rpm’s .

I have no knowledge of the 68’s but I figured I drop my 2cents.

Do what feels right for you .

 

[Dannyrampage1]

If the guy is torn between a 16G and an HTA68 for a car he's going to use around town daily, why are you recommending a 900hp setup to him?

Always leave room to grow

 

[TheMaddWrapper]

Always leave room to grow

Does the 68 leave much room to grow over the EvoIII, or would a 20g be a better "room to grow" turbo? I might just run the EvoIII and get the car situated and go from there, simply for simplicity... and if it isn't what I want at least I have a good starting point. Couldn't be worse than it is now! .

 

[Canadian_CD9A]

Does the 68 leave much room to grow over the EvoIII, or would a 20g be a better "room to grow" turbo? I might just run the EvoIII and get the car situated and go from there, simply for simplicity... and if it isn't what I want at least I have a good starting point. Couldn't be worse than it is now! .

The 68HTA will generate more at higher effort than the 16G and 20G. We measure this by amount of air flow, typically measured by lb/min of air. The 68HTA is rated at 51 lb/min max, the Evo 16G around 38 (though users have surpassed this by a good margin). A stock 20G wheel is good for 44, aftermarket billet versions will be more. The v1 and v3 HTA68 leave you that room to grow over the 16G with no appreciable difference in spool/response.

 

[TheMaddWrapper]

Awesome... just scored a ported exhaust manifold, 02 housing, injectors, Hallman MBC and some other DSM parts... I'm stoked for the build. Sounds like a 68 will fit the bill!

 

[biglady112]

Awesome... just scored a ported exhaust manifold, 02 housing, injectors, Hallman MBC and some other DSM parts... I'm stoked for the build. Sounds like a 68 will fit the bill!

20g’s haven’t ever truly been a thing as they only came on a handful of trucks that have been off the roads for years.

And as stated, all the 16g’s are more or less the same thing. One isn’t going to blow your socks off versus the others. Think reliability and long term. And what you can have serviced in the future. None of your choices are powerful, so stop trying to split hairs.

 

[TheMaddWrapper]

20g’s haven’t ever truly been a thing as they only came on a handful of trucks that have been off the roads for years.

And as stated, all the 16g’s are more or less the same thing. One isn’t going to blow your socks off versus the others. Think reliability and long term. And what you can have serviced in the future. None of your choices are powerful, so stop trying to split hairs.

Sorry are you quoting me or the response before? I didn’t bring up a 20g, or mention I wanted one. I’m far from splitting hairs. I posted the thread for real world opinions between the EvoIII and 68. Settled on the 68 last post. Thanks for chiming in though.

 

[biglady112]

Sorry are you quoting me or the response before? I didn’t bring up a 20g, or mention I wanted one. I’m far from splitting hairs. I posted the thread for real world opinions between the EvoIII and 68. Settled on the 68 last post. Thanks for chiming in though.

Post 20, you literally mentioned the 20g. And when it comes to 16g’s, I am sure you will find 1,500 posts here on the exact same subject.

It is nearly 2025, there is nothing ground breaking going on in the community.