The inevitable turbo upgrade question

[L0ckett]

So I plan on picking up a new turbo. I'm on a pretty tight budget (but not tight enough to use an ebay turbo) so I've been searching for a nice used one. I've come across 3 that look promsing. One is a Greddy 18g, one is a Garrett 56 trim (not too sure the model but think it's a gt30/35), and the last is a PTE 5031 50 trim. I'm currently running an MHI Evo 3 16g and I do have all the supporting mods for a bigger turbo. I could use bigger injectors but my 550's should suffice for now. I'm looking towards the area of 450 hp. Has anyone run any of these turbos and run into any major issues? I like the PTE 50 trim but have heard some horror stories about them. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[JusMX141]

The 18G isn't much of an upgrade from a 16G, and I wouldn't put anything made by PTE on my car.

Ball-bearing Garrett or a Holset HX35 / HX40 if it were my money. If you want to run over 15psi with any of the turbos mentioned, you will need to upgrade injectors.

 

[L0ckett]

I was originally planning on going the hx35 route but then after the cost of the turbo and BEP housing, it is just more than I have to spend at the moment. I'm on a $500 or less budget for this upgrade.

 

[mheidemanjr]

is your mod list fully filled out? if it is correct i would suggest more supporting / performance mods rather than a new turbo. like fmic/fuel pump/ wideband/ things of that nature, you can get 450hp on a 16g with more mods then what you got.

 

[L0ckett]

I have to check my profile again, but my fuel system consists of 550's, 255 pump, fuel rail, and SAFC Neo

 

[Sam@RRE]

is your mod list fully filled out? if it is correct i would suggest more supporting / performance mods rather than a new turbo. like fmic/fuel pump/ wideband/ things of that nature, you can get 450hp on a 16g with more mods then what you got.

O rly?
450hp on a 16G is possible, not to bash you or anything, but not anybody and everybody and do it.
Like Vtec makes hondas run 10's.

 

[mheidemanjr]

what about dsm link? or ecm and some bigger injector? you could get 450hp out of that with a good dyno tune

 

[donniekak]

I was originally planning on going the hx35 route but then after the cost of the turbo and BEP housing, it is just more than I have to spend at the moment. I'm on a $500 or less budget for this upgrade.

You can get an hx35 and a housing for that price.

 

[deerhunter0881]

Keep the 16g and like other people said do other upgrades to your car first. Just because you add a big turbo does not mean your HP goes were you want it. The 16g is a good start now give your car more fuel, more air, breath better, and tune it. Then you get a big turbo later.

 

[mheidemanjr]

O rly?
450hp on a 16G is possible, not to bash you or anything, but not anybody and everybody and do it.
Like Vtec makes hondas run 10's.

ok but with all supporting mods 96+ oct gas and a good 400hp is not unthinkable

 

[L0ckett]

I agree, I do need to upgrade a few things first. My future plan is to hit the 500+ hp mark but I'll settle for 450 (which is why I stated it) and I have a friend who is offering me $500 for my turbo. I just want something to replace my 16g with that will handle my future goal as more mods are done. Sorry if this seems confusing/contradicory to my original post, it's been a long long day at work, .

 

[my dreamt dsm]

Is your 16g maxed out yet? If not. Bigger turbo later!

 

[dsm-onster]

Why push the 16g when he knows he wants 450whp and he can do it more affordably with a larger turbo? Why does everyone say the e3 16g is so capable and not look at what you have to spend to get it there??? For heaven's sake, he wants a horsepower number close to the e3 16g record! He's Lucas English and he's got 500 $1 bills made of platinum that spend like $3 bills.

Anyway, you can get an hx35 buttoned up on your car for 500-600. I don't understand why you say an hx35 is out of the question when that is a far cheaper turbo you can upgrade to vs. what you have in your own original list there in the 1st post. Why would you even mention GT anything with a $500 budget?

What ever you do. You won't get your e3 16g to reach your goal with $500 more. No one makes those numbers without a SMIM upgrade, good cam upgrade, decent exhaust manifold upgrade, and more. And link or better for tuning. So at least you're realizing that you have to upgrade for the most budget friendly 450whp setup. That's something many jsut don't get through their heads. You don't need but a cam upgrade and link to see your goal with all you mentioned or something liek the hx35 or hx40. All but the 18g turbo probably. All the turbos that can reach your goal that you can't afford are: what you mentioned plus the s256, s258, s259, s362, FP green and red, fp3052, FP3065 and countless more. Who is selling a good used gt turbo for $500?

Yes, 550s are NOT enough for your goal. As Justin mentioned, that greddy 18g which is a td05h 18g, is out of the question. Since you'll be trying to get 50trim or better power out of a 16g hotside (they have the same hotside you already have). All the other turbos will reach your goal more comfortably; but are all out of your price range. Why did you bring them up even? Are they used? If so, then certainly you should take a broader look at the used turbo market.

 

[Sam@RRE]

VP import and 35psi out of that little thing, you'll do 400hp. Is it practical? No.
I don't claim a HP number unless that's what I'm running everyday

 

[JusMX141]

Still not sure why we're sitting on 550's and tuning with a Neo but considering a turbo upgrade from a MHI Evo III 16G?

 

[L0ckett]

If I can come across a holset setup in my budget range then I will definately hop on it (can anyone hook me up? haha). As for mentioning the 18g, gt, and PTE turbos, those were just the ones I had found used at a great price and would have left me $200+ for bigger injectors. The 550's are what came in the car when I bought it and they are junk venom injectors so a set of nice FIC's are definately in order. Are gt30/gt35 turbos really as bad as everyone makes them out to be?

 

[dsm-onster]

Some one is going to sell you a REAL 56-trim turbo for $300? WTF Are you sure it's not a knock off?

GT turbos are INCREDIBLE. And cost INCREDIBLE for what other turbos have done. Who would say they are "bad"?

VP import and 35psi out of that little thing, you'll do 400hp. Is it practical? No.

Practicality is what we're talking about with a "tight budget", yes I agree. 400whp with his current budget, not at all. There's no benefit, even financially, to stick with an evo3 16g when you want to make 450-500whp. Even 400whp is VERY debatable. Not many ahve made that number with stock manifolds, compression, stroke.

You are absolutely right in everything you've said, IMO. I was not really directing what I said toward you at all. Just opening up a little about the "16g is a 500whp turbo" thing

 

[JusMX141]

Are gt30/gt35 turbos really as bad as everyone makes them out to be?

Ball Bearing Garretts are as tough as nails if you give them a clean, low-pressure oil supply.

I've never personally seen a journal bearing PTE turbo last more than 1500 miles no matter where the oil source was.

MHI or Holset is the way to go if you're looking at durability. Both come from the factory with 360* thrust plates for better shaft support at high boost. Dollar for dollar there's nothing that will match them.

 

[redmitsu95]

Alittle off topic guys but what exactly on the norm would u be looking to get out of E316G??

 

[L0ckett]

So of the turbos I had listed, the Garrett would be best? That will then leave me some extra money for bigger injectors. Since I'm running the Neo I've been told that it won't support bigger than 650 injectors yet I've heard people running 780's and not having any tuning-related issues.

 

[dsm-onster]

650s are not enough for your goal. 650s are about the limit for an SAFC other tuning solution that doesn't allow timing control. You can go higher if you run e85.

What is this garret turbo? Then we can tell you. If it's a 56-trim, is it a PTE? They sell the 56trim scm61. But they don't seam to put their center sections they get from garrett together properly. . . DSMs have commonly known turbo oiling issues as well. So is this turbo a real ball bearing turbo or a journal bearing turbo? Pics? As much info as you can with out someone else buying it from under you if it's REAL. There are loads of chinese ebay 56trim GT ball bearing turbos out there. He must be a real friend to sell you a REAL ball bearing turbo for so little

Honestly, if you're not seeing holset turbos for $300 or so used then you're not looking or not patient. Probably not patient

 

[L0ckett]

Yea, I would like to run at least 1000's and eventually go e85. I'm just one of those guys that I like to shop with a budget in mind and get the best deal possible, hence the whole start of this thread, .

 

[dsm-onster]

Get us some pics of this GT turbo. We can really help you by helping you not sink your little bit of money into a dud. Justin can especially help you with verifying the lagitimacy of the turbo and specs. Get and post measurements too. Me and other's just know how the air will move through it. Justin knows a whole bunch of that too

 

[L0ckett]

I can get a picture for ya in a minute. It's a member on here that is selling it. He doesn't know what model it is other than it's stamped with "m24" on the housing. I did some research and the best I could come up with for the info I know (56 trim, .60 a/r, m24 stamp) was that it was either a gt30 or gt35.

 

[L0ckett]

Here is a pic of the 56 trim:

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