Turbo upgrade time - Dilema - k04 / VF34/ VF28 something else?

[ibiza_95]

Im now at a point where i want to upgrade what i have which is the standard k03 turbo. I run QPENG Management, but im struggling to decide what to get turbo wise.

I can get a full k04 setup including turbo, downpipe, injectors and a new map for roughly 400 notes giving me with the QPENG, around 270/280bhp

Now i cant decide whether this is enough or whether i weant to push for the 300 mark.

Ill be keeping standard internals, as the car is nearly 10 years old and wont be worth much when i come to sell her unfortunately and being a student and what not, spending shed loads isnt an option.

Ive also been looking into the VF34, but this seems a some what expensive option to go down, yet im still considering it... How about the turbo of a subaru sti vf28? any good, will it fit? im looking for options i think at the minute, that are feasable to get around the 300 mark. the k04 setup seems my best bet but im open ears if anyone can suggest a better alternative.

getting a k04 setup for 400 notes or so is a bench mark i think. If anything else is going to cost a load more then it just isnt worth it unfortunately as i cant afford it

 

[ibizacupra]

if you cant afford it, stick with k04, it will be a blast power to weight wise.

numbers are just that, numbers.. k04's torque will shove you down the road at a rate of knotts

 

[IbizaAlex]

K04 is great. Smooth easy power. Why not hybrid the K04 first. If you need an oil drain pipe making then let me know.

 

[jamiebennett81]

getting a k04 setup for 400 notes or so is a bench mark i think. If anything else is going to cost a load more then it just isnt worth it unfortunately as i cant afford it

and there lyes the answer....or you have answered your own question

if you can get a complete k04 setup, and are fitting it yourself (I would advise some hybrid treatment or at least a 360 thrust bearing if it's second hand) then I would go down this route

quick spool, good power throughout the rev range and fits within your budget

their endeth the the story

 

[ibiza_95]

cool cool... i thought thats the route id have to take, seems the best for me price wise and power wise...
from past experience with hybrids, i reckon its going to cost me another 300 or so to get it done is it not?

With regards to the 360 thrust bearing, what are these, where do i get one from etc can i do it myself? The engine will be coming out to do all this anyway to make life easier with routing lines etc, as im going to take everything out of it i dont need for that uber clean look

 

[jamiebennett81]

cool cool... i thought thats the route id have to take, seems the best for me price wise and power wise...
from past experience with hybrids, i reckon its going to cost me another 300 or so to get it done is it not?

With regards to the 360 thrust bearing, what are these, where do i get one from etc can i do it myself? The engine will be coming out to do all this anyway to make life easier with routing lines etc, as im going to take everything out of it i dont need for that uber clean look

unless you are a turbo specialist, no, you wont be fitting a thrust bearing, as I think it needs to be balanced etc

most turbos are fitted with a 270 degree thrust bearing. A 360 thrust bearing is just further strengthening the turbo, and it is essentially a bearing that allows for higher or more sustained boost to be run and reduces any movement from the compressor wheel moving or becoming unstable in the inlet housing (too much movement will cause it to rub against the side, and then its a knackered turbo, similar to what happened to Robdon's gt2x)

as yours will most likely be second hand, you will prob just want it reconditioning i.e. oil seals checking, replacing etc and then I would suggest just fitting a 360 thrust bearing, as mentioned to allow for more safer levels of boost to be run and not straining the compressor wheel too much. I am not sure on the affect of fitting a larger and clipped compressor wheel on a k04, but it can in some cases have a slightly negative effect on making the turbo laggier, due to the air being forced through the inlet and having to drive/push a larger compressor wheel (upside is it will make it more peaky and allow for boost to be held higher up the rev range). in a k04, this is not what you want, and you want a quick and fast spool, so I would leave this aspect alone myself, but thats just my personal opinion (you may want a more peaky k04 unit?)

 

[INA]

The issue with the VF turbochargers is that the turbine flange makes a replacement expensive.
Stay with a Garrett T3 or T25 flange.You will be better off in the long run.

 

[ibizacupra]

The issue with the VF turbochargers is that the turbine flange makes a replacement expensive.
Stay with a Garrett T3 or T25 flange.You will be better off in the long run.

£90 for P20 housing whilst owens have excess stock of them i think someone posted not so long back.

spool on the vf34 is better than a GT28rs tho. low inertia from small lightweight shafts, BUT, these also become one of their weakness's when overspooled

garretts can fail the same as ihi's - cracking on housings etc also, bearing failure when pushed too hard... comes with the territory i guess

 

[ryan_s3]

vf34 on a 1.8t is as laggy as a gt3076r on a 2l evo,strange but true!

 

[caveo]

Dont be fooled into thinking an IHI isnt lagy cos compaired to the K03 or4 you will miss the lazy power they give. ( i sometimes do but you cant argue with the top end )

 

[grant306]

unless you are a turbo specialist, no, you wont be fitting a thrust bearing, as I think it needs to be balanced etc

afaik the thrust bearing isnt part of the balancing process anyway is it? As it is assembled into the bearing housing itself, as opposed to the rotor assembly.

I may be wrong, as i've not dealt with a K04 before, but i know this is the case with larger turbochargers.

 

[jamiebennett81]

afaik the thrust bearing isnt part of the balancing process anyway is it? As it is assembled into the bearing housing itself, as opposed to the rotor assembly.

I may be wrong, as i've not dealt with a K04 before, but i know this is the case with larger turbochargers.

no I am thinking of the compressor wheel

it's just a bearing though....so I presume you are right, as in it does not have to be balanced, but I would think it is tested in some way before fitting??

 

[INA]

garretts can fail the same as ihi's - cracking on housings etc also, bearing failure when pushed too hard... comes with the territory i guess

I am sure that is the case but no other turbocharger has a standing history in the performance world like the Garrett line up...
most common flanges used in the world...easy for replacements.

 

[ibizacupra]

I am sure that is the case but no other turbocharger has a standing history in the performance world like the Garrett line up...
most common flanges used in the world...easy for replacements.

agreed, but I have seen GT series garretts suffer bearing failure and cracked housings same as any other manufacturer. They are not god like turbo's, just turbo's which suffer the same issues everyone elses do. Their range of housings and wheels, and published information on spec's is what sets them aside.

vband versions look the dogs danglies in terms of best of both worlds. tial housings, and garrett rest.. nice.