[s-cars] Custom KKK K26 (Ersatz RS2) Turbo from Innovative Turbo

[Lewis, Gary M]

Hi Audifans,
Innovative turbo has a new turbo design that is for sale.  The owner and
operator of Innovative Turbo has been working diligently with me to produce
a turbo for the Audi 20vt motor.  I upgraded my motor to Bob Pastore Spec
(tm), but I couldn't find a stock RS2 turbo, regardless of price.  A lister
from back East (I'm in Los Angeles) suggested calling Innovative.  I did and
told them my goal was same or better performance as the RS2 turbo, same or
better reliability, and straight bolt in ability.

I went over to the shop (like 15-20 miles away from my house, nice.)  First
thing I see when I walk in the shop is an Inconel exhaust manifold for a
20vt5cyl lying on the bench, an Audi factory race-works K27, and a host of
other Audi stuff.  Turns out the owner (Ola) is a real Audi buff.  There are
turbo race cars (track and drag) all over the shop.  Awesome place, a turbo
racers wet dream.

Anyway...

What Ola suggested was to take a water-cooled K26 from 1986-1989 5000/200TQ
fame, open up the cold side inlet to 48-50 mm size, with some additional
machining to add a larger cold-side compressor wheel.  He did this for a
944t customer and the guy was blown away at the difference in performance.

We did so, and it bolted straight into my 1995.5 S6 wagon.  Performance is
spectacular.  I'm getting 26 PSI in the 3,400 to 3,600 range, with hard
pulls to 7,000 RPM.  The turbo just doesn't give up.  I'm seeing 29 PSI in
4th and 5th.  What the larger cold-side housing and compressor wheel does
vs. the RS2 (in Ola's turbo language) is "upgrade the stock K26 to RS2+
spec, with better than RS2 efficiency and better delta P across the engine".

I let Ola drive the finished product, and he said it was a good trade off
vs. the T04E/K26-8, especially considering the attraction of the bolt in
ability.  More low-end, and pretty close top end performance.  The number 8
exhaust of the hybrid is really nice on the top-end, but it makes the
transient boost more dramatic (nothing or everything) than the new Turbo I
have.  What the new turbo does is build boost smoothly and early.

The price he quoted me was $950 with core, or $1,600 outright.  What you get
is rebuilt internals, new compressor wheel, and machined cold-side wheel
with the exchange option.  Ola's number is 805-526-5400.

Huge disclaimer!!!!!  I am NOT an agent for Innovative Turbo, and I will not
be paid or compensated in any way from this email.  I paid them to do my
turbo.  In fact, Ola did not even ask me to do this, it was my idea.  I'm
just a super happy customer.  These guys were great, and bent over backwards
to help me.  The car would still be parked if it wasn't for them.  So if you
need an RS2 (or bigger) turbo, super KKK reliability, and bolt-in ease, call
them.  I highly recommend this turbo.

Gary Lewis

1995.5 S6 Avant, Green/Ecru, RS2 MAF, RS2 Exhaust Manifold, RS2 Injectors,
Custom Turbo (K26 Turbine, Factory K26 Cold side (Audi Works '999' P/N) with
50 mm intake and custom Innovative Turbo compressor wheel), Bilsteins,
Eibachs, Big Reds.