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

[Kaklikian, Gary]

Kevin at Majestic Turbo has been installing larger compressor wheels in  K26's for years and for a lot less money. I had one on my 4000 turbo, and it worked great, although I never ran more than 18psi boost. I haven't seen a compressor map for this turbo, but it's hard to believe it can run efficiently at 29psi. I considered fitting this turbo to my mostly stock S4, but other listers have reported that the lag is unacceptable at this altitude (5000+ ft).

I do know that the T04E hybrid I have on my 944T spools quicker than the K27/6 it replaced and up top, there is no comparison. But again, this is only at 16psi (well within the turbo's optimal efficiency range), as it's not a good idea to set the boost much higher on the 944T's.

Gary
'92 S4 (for sale cheap)
'89 951


>Message: 7
>Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 15:21:54 -0700
>From: "Lewis, Gary M" <gary.m.lewis2 at boeing.com>
>To: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
>Subject: [s-cars] Custom KKK K26 (Ersatz RS2) Turbo from Innovative Turbo
>
>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.