V7 STI Turbo dying. Rebuild, replace or upgrade?

[richm]

Hi,

I have a wizz type noise coming from the drivers side in my engine when under high boost. Car is at Subaru at present, they spent 5 hours looking for leaks e.t.c. to find that there is much lateral play in the shaft of the turbo. Although we won't know 100% until another turbo is tested, it would appear very likely that my turbo is dying. So, they are going to ring me Tuesday. I would like to be prepared with your recommendations.

Given that the turbo is the problem, should I:

1) Replace with second hand one?

2) Rebuild current turbo, but where and how much?

3) Replace with new genuine subaru turbo?

4) Upgrade to bigger / better turbo?

5) Leave as is until it really dies?

Appreciate your advice. Thanks.

[Guest loren]

err, isn't that up to you? what are your priorities and how much money do you want to spend?

[Guest boostin]

Don't leave it until it dies. If the impellor disintegrates you'll be picking bits of it out of the intercooler, and hoping none made it past into the engine.

A new turbo will be megabucks, guesstimate would be around $4k.

Talk to Steve Murch about a rebuild with some high flow mods thrown in.

I don't like the idea of secondhand turbos. There is very little guarantee, and their history is unknown.

[Simon C]

1) Possible option, although you'lll end up paying for a turbo which is already part way into its lifespan.

2) Pretty certain IHI turbos have their centre sections sealed at the factory and can't be (easily) rebuilt.

3) $$$ (especially Subaru OEM stuff) and you have get more power for your dollar with other options, but if you like the way the stock car drives then a definite option.

4) $$$ as well, and you may need supporting mods like injectors and fuel pump to support it.

5) It's already dead for all intents and purposes.

So yeah, it all depends on your power plans and your budget.

[Guest loren]

 boostin said:

Don't leave it until it dies. If the impellor disintegrates you'll be picking bits of it out of the intercooler, and hoping none made it past into the engine.

A new turbo will be megabucks, guesstimate would be around $4k.

last time I looked at a new VF is was around $1500 NZ.

[Guest boostin]

 loren']

[quote name='boostin said:

Don't leave it until it dies. If the impellor disintegrates you'll be picking bits of it out of the intercooler, and hoping none made it past into the engine.

A new turbo will be megabucks, guesstimate would be around $4k.

/quote]

last time I looked at a new VF is was around $1500 NZ.

From Subaru? Or somewhere else?

[wrx_lou]

I know my mechanic paid 2.2k for the vf22 on my car around 18 months ago. I'm not sure what the other VF's go for but I would of thought it be around the same sorta price range. Excluding anything thats twinscroll.

[nt_a_foz]

Yeah josh got a vf22 brand new at trade for 1.3k but that was over a year ago .

[Guest loren]

 boostin']

[quote name='boostin said:

Don't leave it until it dies. If the impellor disintegrates you'll be picking bits of it out of the intercooler, and hoping none made it past into the engine.

A new turbo will be megabucks, guesstimate would be around $4k.

/quote]

last time I looked at a new VF is was around $1500 NZ.

From Subaru? Or somewhere else?

No from a place down here, "Diesel and Turbo" or something like that... seen them online for that kinda price to.

[Guest boostin]

Ah ok. He asked about a new genuine STi turbo, so I was talking about from Subaru. Diesel and Turbo are definitely a cheaper option though.

[nt_a_foz]

Yeah josh got his from a similar place..

wouldnt it be the same thing??Its a genuine subaru vf22 just a different shop wouldnt it be?

[Guest boostin]

If it's not from Subaru it's not genuine.

[wrx_lou]

Subaru dont make IHI turbo's you twat. You dont have to get it off them for it to be genuine.

[BC5RA]

Through Subaru it would be "Genuine"

Through aftermarket then not.

[wrx_lou]

So even when its most likely off the same assembly line, and through the same distributors, probably came in on the same shipment its not geniune unless a subaru registered mechanic/dealer has added an obscene markup?

[Guest loren]

They are genuine IHI VF turbos, exactly like genuine subaru ones :

[wrx_lou]

 loren said:

They are genuine IHI VF turbos, exactly like genuine subaru ones :

Geniune is genuine, unless its a knockoff and then its a knockoff

[BC5RA]

 wrx_lou said:

So even when its most likely off the same assembly line, and through the same distributors, probably came in on the same shipment its not geniune unless a subaru registered mechanic/dealer has added an obscene markup?

I suppose so. They won't offer any sort of warranty on a Turbo that is absolutely mechanically the same that you brought from Kebabhairdriers.com

[wrx_lou]

Again your talking as if they are second rate turbos ie. buying a DSR chinese made td05 to replace your factory td05.

[Guest loren]

Are you just a snob or a subaru whore?

There are plenty of reputable companies on the planet not called subaru :

Diesel and turbo would give a warranty BTW.

 BC5RA']

[quote name='wrx_lou said:

So even when its most likely off the same assembly line, and through the same distributors, probably came in on the same shipment its not geniune unless a subaru registered mechanic/dealer has added an obscene markup?

/quote]

I suppose so. They won't offer any sort of warranty on a Turbo that is absolutely mechanically the same that you brought from Kebabhairdriers.com

[Pappu1]

isint there like a replacement turbo from one of the sponsers for like 750?

forgot the name but swupposed to be a 400hp replacement model... gotta look for the one i was thinking of as sometime ago i was looking at one.

there was another from a club member which wud be a good upgrade

pity on ur turbo bro

[BC5RA]

 wrx_lou']

Again your talking as if they are second rate turbos ie. buying a DSR chinese made td05 to replace your factory td05.

[quote name='loren said:

Are you just a snob or a subaru whore?

There are plenty of reputable companies on the planet not called subaru :

Diesel and turbo would give a warranty BTW.

I think you misunderstood, I'm coming at it from both of your points of view.

[Guest loren]

ok.

I'll buy "genuine" subaru stuff if other brand stuff is not good enough quality, but I won't pay their markup

for EXACTLY the same product if I don't have to. And their markups are obscene, especially when

there's about 5 different markups on anything by the time we get it.

[BC5RA]

 loren said:

ok.

I'll buy "genuine" subaru stuff if other brand stuff is not good enough quality, but I won't pay their markup

for EXACTLY the same product if I don't have to. And their markups are obscene, especially when

there's about 5 different markups on anything by the time we get it.

Agreed.

$1000 for a genuine STI forged piston, which are probably outsourced to one of the many piston manufacturers offering similar but four of.

[richm]

Yes, a worn turbo was not what I was expecting or hoping for given the thorough pre-purchase inspection and problem free motoring until now. As above, the wizzing noise is not 100% certain to be due to the turbo until a replacement has been tested on Tuesday, but Subaru describe it as "extremely likely" because of the apparent shaft play. I would like to be prepared to discuss options with them on Tuesday instead of them being made for me.

Yes, Steve, is well known for his work. A bit of a legend for PC and karting. Is his company Automotive Engineering?

Is it true that the turbos from Driven Performance (or similar) are not very good? I did e-mail them also, they did recommend the "top quality, highly reliable", Japanense manufactured:

http://www.drivenperformance.co.nz/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1650

or bigger:

http://www.drivenperformance.co.nz/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1684

Thanks for your opinions, tips and advice. The combined knowledge of ClubSub certainly is useful in preparing oneself. I have crossed out the "second hand turbo" and "leave as is" options following your advice.

Cheers.