The Central Hub for DSM Community and Information

For 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Galant VR-4 Owners. This is where the DSM platform history is documented and archived. Log in to help us in our mission, and to remove most ads from the browsing experience.

snail turbo/sumalaya billet compressor wheels

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

carvinbassplyr

10+ Year Contributor
211
10
Dec 15, 2010
Waterford, Michigan
Is/has anyone used these? Do they update the aero for better airflow since the billet is stronger, or are they the same aero as a stock cast wheel?
 
I just ordered mine. Got the guy down to 200.... :rolleyes:, I was hoping this thread would help answer my questions about them but it looks like I will be the guinea pig. Will keep this posted once the car is together.
 
Got my billet wheel from snail in the mail the other day. The fins dont look as thin as i imagined, they actually appear thick compared to the original 20g compressor wheel. Hopefully it doesnt affect spool and hopefully its just because its not in the turbo and my depth perception is messed up... getting it put in next week!
 
The fins dont look as thin as i imagined, they actually appear thick compared to the original 20g compressor wheel.
This is a common misconception about billet compressors. The metal is denser and stronger, so the hub area can be machined smaller and the blades themselves will not lose their strength...though the blades still remain as thick as the cast wheel they're modeled after for sheer durability.

Of course the denser billet aluminum is also heavier than porous cast, so it's highly likely that the billet wheel will weigh nearly the same as the cast wheel despite having a much smaller hub area.

In comparison- a standard cast MHI Evo III 16G compressor has thinner blades than any billet wheel I've ever seen, but they're also quite fragile because of the material used.
 
This is a common misconception about billet compressors. The metal is denser and stronger, so the hub area can be machined smaller and the blades themselves will not lose their strength...though the blades still remain as thick as the cast wheel they're modeled after for sheer durability.

Of course the denser billet aluminum is also heavier than porous cast, so it's highly likely that the billet wheel will weigh nearly the same as the cast wheel despite having a much smaller hub area.

In comparison- a standard cast MHI Evo III 16G compressor has thinner blades than any billet wheel I've ever seen, but they're also quite fragile because of the material used.

That makes sense. I really want to weigh the two side by side now to find out.
 
one of the billet 20g wheels that I enquire about weighed 61 grams. the MHI 20g weighs 72 grams. I think evo 16g weigh 63?? billet blades dont need to be thick. it nmay mean the material is not as good as they are advertising.
 
one of the billet 20g wheels that I enquire about weighed 61 grams. the MHI 20g weighs 72 grams. I think evo 16g weigh 63?? billet blades dont need to be thick. it nmay mean the material is not as good as they are advertising.

The box says 7075 aluminum alloy which is the purest form if I understand correctly....
 
i
one of the billet 20g wheels that I enquire about weighed 61 grams. the MHI 20g weighs 72 grams. I think evo 16g weigh 63?? billet blades dont need to be thick. it nmay mean the material is not as good as they are advertising.


I checked emails. snail said their wheel is 63 grams.

and this is the kinugawa 20g pic. looks like thin blades to me.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
 

Attachments

You must be registered for see attachments list
i


I checked emails. snail said their wheel is 63 grams.

and this is the kinugawa 20g pic. looks like thin blades to me.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Like I said, it probably appeared thicker because it was outside of the turbo. The cast 20g wheel I was comparing it to is still in the compressor housing.

On a side note I was comparing the cast (still in the turbo) to the billet one today and the center section is significantly smaller in diameter.
 

Attachments

You must be registered for see attachments list
In a recent exchange of PM's with another member regarding this company's products:

xxxx said:
I spoke with them again and they do not balance the wheel usually....

Buyer beware- ask questions. Don't plan to buy this wheel and drop it in unless it's advertised as such or you may be throwing $200+ down the shitter when the journal bearings wear prematurely and your pretty new compressor wheel meets the cover. ;)
 
I asked before I purchased and shipped it out to be balanced today. Definitely agree though. I was anticipating it anyways just to be safe. No way am i going to spend that much on a piece of metal and have it get blown to pieces. LOL!
 
Last edited:
Makes sense as to why they wouldn't balance the single part, because the whole center section needs to be balanced while assembled.

So thats sort of irrelevant.
 
You must be logged in to view this image or video.

intrtesting the reverse rotation wheel has straght blade tips top and bottom fins.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

hopefully thats not your new 20g wheel? or are you building evo8/9 turbo?

NVM I am all confused. didnt notice the pics from kinugawa wher reverse rotation. then again didnt realise srt4 is reverse rotation turbo as well.
 

Attachments

You must be registered for see attachments list
Last edited:
Makes sense as to why they wouldn't balance the single part, because the whole center section needs to be balanced while assembled.

So thats sort of irrelevant.
Then you're looking at it in a completely different direction than nearly every turbo manufacturer on the planet who component-balances first and then assembly-balances if necessary. In fact, most larger-frame journal bearing turbos don't require an assembly balance at all.



The HX40 BatMoWheel that Bullseye Power let us test in Dave's turbo last season was fully-balanced when I received it, and was advertised as a drop-in replacement. Knowing that we were going to be raping this turbo for all it has and wanting it to last, I contacted Bill Devine to see if an assembly balance was required, and he replied:

Bullseye Power said:
Installed as-is will be fine they are pre-balanced.

9 seconds and 151mph later, I felt confident that he was right. :D
 
intrtesting the reverse rotation wheel has straght blade tips top and bottom fins.



hopefully thats not your new 20g wheel? or are you building evo8/9 turbo?

NVM I am all confused. didnt notice the pics from kinugawa wher reverse rotation. then again didnt realise srt4 is reverse rotation turbo as well.

"HOUSTON...WE HAVE A PROBLEM....":ohdamn:
 
JusMX141 said:
Then you're looking at it in a completely different direction than nearly every turbo manufacturer on the planet who component-balances first and then assembly-balances if necessary. In fact, most larger-frame journal bearing turbos don't require an assembly balance at all.

The HX40 BatMoWheel that Bullseye Power let us test in Dave's turbo last season was fully-balanced when I received it, and was advertised as a drop-in replacement. Knowing that we were going to be raping this turbo for all it has and wanting it to last, I contacted Bill Devine to see if an assembly balance was required, and he replied:

9 seconds and 151mph later, I felt confident that he was right. :D

Turbonetics doesn't.
 
I dont think snail turbo makes these wheels, i think they just sell them. Their supplier is Samalya Enterprises. They require a minimum order of 10 wheels which comes out to about 1800 (180 a piece), or 50 wheels for 140 =7000. I know this because im interested in building turbos with their wheels but I cannot come up with the funding to do so, plus people want a proven turbo. However they let me a buy a few "samples" and made custom turbos, but i have not been able to make time for testing. The wheels are expensive but im still wondering if they are worth it, and if they make a big difference on small turbos vs big turbos.
 
Add Value - Be Respectful - No Trolling - No Misinformation - Participate Often!
Support Vendors who Support the DSM Community

Build Thread Updates

Latest Classifieds

Back
Top