Do I need a new Turbo?

[nube90]

I just bought a 90 TSi a few days ago it has a 130k and is bone stock its my first turbo car anyways I checked the turbo today for any shaft play there is no side-to-side but there it moves every so slightly up and down does this mean I need to get a new turbo the car dosent smoke at all if that means anything. Also if I need a new one do what kind of supporting mods if any do I need to run a 16g.

 

[andymoraitis]

Minor shaft play is allowable and if the turbo isn't smoking or showing evidence of blown seals, you can continue to run it.

A Big 16G will require:

190 Fuel Pump
550cc Injectors
Tuning Device (AFC/MAFT/DSM Link)

You can run a Big 16G on stock fuel, but I wouldn't push it above 14-15 psi without a logger to check for knock. As it stands, you can budget these things for the future and continue to run your 14B as long as it holds up. For reference, the shaft play that usually signals a toasted turbo is in and out since the oil will have a greater tendency to blow past the seals and the compressor blades will often rub or contact the compressor housing inlet.

Good luck!

Andy

 

[SkURTnDSM92T]

I highly doubt you need a new turbo. If there was significant shaftplay, I think you would notice it. How is the car performing under boost and at WOT? Chances are if you do not notice any strange habits while driving the car it is fine.

In my opinion, the following should be reguired to run a 16G at minimum.
Exhaust (2.5-3" depending on your goals, this is including DP!)
550 CC injectors
190 LPH Fuel Pump (if you go with 255 get an AFPR!)
Some tuning defice (AFC/DSMlink)

You can run a 16G with minimal mods, but if you have goals you would like to meet, it is easier to figure out which route you will take. IE if you were going to want to run 20 PSI, no sense in starting off with a 190 LPH fuel pump. Mod it right the first time!

 

[SkURTnDSM92T]

Darn it andy!

 

[nube90]

Thanks for the help guys. Thats what I want to do keep running the 14b until I can save up enough to upgrade to a bigger turbo safely and like skurtndsm92t said mod it right the first time. The big thing was I didnt want the turbo blowing and hurting my motor.

 

[nube90]

The car performes great under WOT it pulls hard and stays at around 12psi I still have the stock BOOST gauge when I give it gas boost is there immediatley if im at or above about 2900.

 

[andymoraitis]

Darn it andy!

Not bad for an old guy eh?

 

[andymoraitis]

If you really want to help it last, keep up with your maintenance and run it at stock boost levels until you have the parts and funds to upgrade properly. At that point you can turn up the wick and run more boost. For now, enjoy the car for what it is and make sure that the important things are taken care of.

 

[andymoraitis]

If you were going to want to run 20 PSI, no sense in starting off with a 190 LPH fuel pump. Mod it right the first time!

I ran 26 on my Big 16G daily with a 190. You really only need the bigger pump and AFPR if you add cams or go with an EVO III. Nevertheless, I do agree that buying once is much smarter than upgrading over and over. Now if only I had listened to that advice...

 

[SkURTnDSM92T]

Honestly nube, if there is any advice I can give you, it is make the car the perfect platform for a turbo upgrade. 100% well maintained vehicle, no leaks of any kind (hard to do!) and no problems. Then when you upgrade a part, its just a minor tuning adjustment. I can not tell you have many problems I have made for myself because I needed to do the quick fix! Dont be in a hurry, do it right the first time and learn what you need to in order to do this, or your DSM WILL make you pay the price!

 

[nube90]

I think my car is starting to smoke of course I cant see it but when I look in my rear view I see smoke so I asked my friend that was behind me the say it smokes when I start out and I notice when im WOT in high RPMS its grayish is that my turbo?

 

[brute]

Sounds like your turbo's seals are going...

 

[nube90]

Darn that dosent sound good do how do I fix that or can I?

 

[nube90]

I have also found oil in my intake pipe.

 

[UMR98GSX]

AS long as there is a not a significant amount of oil sitting in the compressor housing then the oil in your intake is most likely blowby from the valve cover if the vent line is still connected. To remedy this, splice an inline fuel filter into the line, otherwise it will continue to accumulate in your intercooler and piping which will drain efficiency.