[s-cars] RS2 Upgrade Questions

[Djdawson2 at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/1/2005 6:23:30 PM Mountain Standard Time, 
urs4 at magnaspeed.net writes:

> Where can I get one of the hybrids you are referring to below?

Several of us in CO get our stuff from Turbo Engineering (TEC).  They are an 
authorized Garrett dealer, and put together first rate stuff.  They also seem 
to be unique in that they assemble true Garrett turbos.  Folks like Innovative 
Turbo, Turbonetics and Majestic are casting knock offs of Garrett spec units 
in Brazil and China, leading me to believe they are inferior in quality.

  What are > the specs and price of said turbo?

Depends on what you're shooting for.  The T04 hybrids can be had for about 
$800.  These are the most affordable and proven designs.  The latest GT series 
stuff is $1100+.  What you'd end up wanting would really depend on your power 
goals.

  How about longevity?  I have heard > that the Garrets and such don't last 
> like the KKKs do.  Is there any truth to this?
> 

In all honesty, I can't offer you a real clear answer on that.  In my fleet 
experience (heavy diesel), Garretts proved to be down right indestructible.  In 
automotive, that may be different.  A number of folks have been running them 
without issue, but YMMV.  I can say that upon disassembly of my RS2 prior to 
selling it, it was not in good shape, and needed a costly rebuild.  It had 
about 30k on it, and I was pretty surprised at the extent of the damage.  The 
scroll on the turbine section was cracking badly at the focal point, and the 
bearing section was shot as well.  This on a well maintained car, using only Mobil 
1.  OTOH, Hap's recently disassembled Garrett unit was in pretty bad shape as 
well... suffering similar scroll damage, and a shot bearing section that 
presumably was the result of the missing piece of turbine wheel.  I believe Hap 
said he had about 2 years on the unit.  I'd say they can both have issues.  If 
one is clearly superior to the other, I could only speculate.  The latest GT 
series turbos are anyone's guess.  The desing is new, and don't think there's 
alot of info regarding longevity yet.  I have nearly 10k on mine so far, and it's 
working very well.
HTH,
Dave in CO