[s-cars] anyone here successfully rebuild a turbo?

[Jared Robinson]

I'm considering rebuilding my own turbo to save $300...
G-Pop Shop and a few other places offer rebuild kits for about $50
G-Pop will even do a turbo balance for $65 (if you send them the wheels,
shaft, nuts, spinny thingies, etc...)
So for about $110 I can do it myself
OR
I have to spend $350 + $50 shipping ($25 each way) and have G-Pop do it,
which also takes 2 weeks.

In regards to the balancing service they say the following:
Turbo Balancing

We are frequently asked by customers who purchase our rebuild kits if the
turbo will need to be rebalanced after they complete the rebuild.  You will
not need to have your turbo rebalanced if the following applies:


   - Neither of the wheels (compressor and/or turbine) have touched or
   rubbed the housings
   - There are no worn, chipped, or bent fins on either of the wheels
   - You were careful to mark the position of the wheels in relationship to
   each other prior to disassembly and rebuilding, and then realigned these
   marks upon reassembly



If you aren't sure if the above applies, or would just feel more comfortable
having your turbo balanced, the charge is  $65. We do NOT need your complete
turbo for this service. We only need your compressor wheel, locknut, turbine
shaft, and thrust parts.

Now, that's not a bad deal. My concern ends up being, what else could
potentially be wrong that my turbo would need a complete rebuild?
the fins weren't worn at all prior to my install. It wasn't even smoking on
the previous owners car...

But everyone on the boards mentions that 'DIY rebuilds always blow up"

but WHY?

-- 
Jared Robinson