Buying a Used 14b

[Fox1486]

I've tried searching but haven't come up with much. Most of the threads on here are about porting the 14b and that doesn't help me all to much. My question is what I should be looking out for when I buy a used 14b. Let me give you some details

-This is a custom turbo setup on a 420a
-Yes I've researched all the supporting mods and I've bought them all
-No I'm not as familiar with the Mitsu turbos as I should be

I'm looking to buy a 14b that is in good shape for my setup. Although I don't trust the ones that are priced from $75-$125 because they all have shaft play (which some have minor shaft play) and then they all have tiny cracks or problems around the wastegate flapper area.

Now I know that cracking and shaft play happens, but how much should I try to stay away from on these turbos??? Small shaft play doesn't scare me, but these cracks that they describe, I'm not sure what they will do to the turbo. And I really don't trust some of the people selling 14bs on here who have never had them on their car. Could someone give me a few tips on what to be aware of when buying a 14b. Thanks


-Fox

 

[dustyb]

why buy a 14b when you can buy a new 16g for less than 500 bucks?

 

[Fox1486]

I think it's too big for the way I want to drive my car. I'm looking for a quick spooling, yet has potential, turbo and I found that to be the 14b. I think it's more of a personal choice.

 

[99gst_racer]

All of the 14b's that I've ever bought and sold, were in the range of $75-$125. That doesn't nessacerily mean that they are less-performing or have shaft play. Just shop on the classifieds here and/or eBay and buy one from a person with a good reputation.

 

[Fox1486]

No I'm sorry, I didn't mean that because they were priced between $75-$125 they were less efficent. I'm just saying I've seen ones that have been brand new or rebuilt for $170 and up that I wouldn't have a problem getting. My question is that how common are these cracks on the exhaust side, particularly near the wastegate flapper and how concerned should I be about them.


-Fox

 

[project_tsi]

About 2 years ago I sold a 14b in the most perfect condition it could have been. It was recently rebuild, and had zero shaft play in/out or left/right. I also included a non cracked turbine housing in perfect condition, and WG actuator assembly, and all the water and Oil lines, as well as all banjo bolts, for $150, on tuners.

So good deals are definetly out there. The guy I sold it too, was putting it in a 2g so he needed the lines anyways.

Just look around, be patient, and try to find someone with a good seller rating, etc.

 

[my_precious]

agreed. i have a 14b coming to me from tuners. no shaft play and comes with the o2 sensor housing for 120 shipped. just watch out for them, search through ALL the pages and send a crap load of pm's to people. I've bought all the parts i need from tuners, including dejon tool upper and lower intercooler pipeing and couplers for 150 shipped. Just gotta look. Also, shaft play is common with used turbos, especially dsms because people mod them and run them hard. Hot turbos = cracking eventually. As far as how much is desirable? I'd say none, but im not a dsm pro. IMO pay the 175 for a perfect condition 14b. I would stay away from rebuilds though unless its built by a shop though. Idk, what do you guys think, am I right?

 

[Sharkcus]

For the most part, you are dead on. However, I disagree with the rebuild part. A rebuilt turbo can be just as good as a new one if done right. First, it MUST be balanced. I don't care if you mark where the shaft was, I wouldn't take the chance for $20 worth of balancing. If the wheels haven't scraped any housings... If the shaft play is minimal... if there is nothing SERIOUSLY wrong with the turbo, a rebuild will be just ducky. I have done this before with no problems at all. It is a lot easier than most people think. I think it probably took me an hour or two, including all the time I spent cleaning all the parts. Plus you walk away with a good understanding of the internals. The guide on vfaq provides more than enough info on how to do it.

 

[Quasimondo]

I'd be more worried about shaft play than a cracked manifold. Although it can possibly set you back around $225 or so for one, you can pick up a brand new exhaust housing for a TD05 turbo from places like Slowboy, Mach V, or even eBay. Replacing an exhaust housing is a much better alternative than having to replace the entire turbo.

 

[96whgsx]

If you were to buy a 14b in person, have them take off the manifold and the o2 housing and inspect it for cracks. I didn't and I got one big ass crack that looks really deep (doesn't show on the outisde though). Spools at 1 bar by at least 3500 rpm.

 

[my_precious]

I've seen 14b turbos with absolutely no shaft play (according to seller) for around 200. a rebuild is unneccisarry and a lot of extra work if you do not know what you're doing. When I bought my talon, for 100 dollars I could have had a 16g in need of a rebuild. However, i told him he could keep it and he dropped that 100 bucks off the price of the car. I have never taken apart a turbo or messed with all the pieces, and the tolerances are to the thousandths of an inch so when doing a rebuild, it should be done by a professional imo. Now, if that professional is a DSM wisemen taking turbos apart and rebuilding them for a hobby, and they had done this many times, i would call them a pro at it.