I don't post here very much because I am still reading and learning, but Ive come across a situation where I need some advice.

I bought some used turbo stuff- a FM cast iron manifold, FM cast upper and SS intermediate downpipe, and a Garret SR20 turbo. After cracking open the turbo to measure the bearing size, I believe I overpaid. The turbo itself was only $80, but from the beginning it was missing the external wastegate actuator. After taking it apart I found a damaged turbine impeller. It looks like it ground something at its outermost diameter. The housing is unaffected. From the assembled view (upper downpipe removed) the impeller looked fine, but it clearly is not usable.

So my problem is, after I buy a turbine impeller and shaft (~$100), a wastegate actuator (~$45) and a rebuild kit (~$40), I can buy a new chinacharger on EBay.

What would you do?

 

which chinacharger? there's like 300 different ones to choose from.

that's like saying should I buy a red car or a corvette?


pics of turbo now please.

 

Buy a chinacharger, when you replace the turbine I'm pretty sure you'd need to send it out to get rebalanced too

 

Any suggested chinacharger.... Similarly sized, so the t25 flange on my manifold will work. My goal is a fairly dependable and durable system, with a max HP of about 220 or so.
I guess my question was really is a Garret sr20 with this many issues going to be any better durability wise, vs price, than a new similar sized chinacharger?

 

[QUOTEBuy a chinacharger, when you replace the turbine I'm pretty sure you'd need to send it out to get rebalanced too][/QUOTE]

I think this too- except that I read when you buy a turbine wheel it comes balanced on a shaft, ready to install a compressor wheel/nut. I guess it doesn't *require* balancing. How much does balancing the assembly usually cost?

 

That's a great question for the Google search bar

 

the turbine wheel, shaft, compressor wheel, and nut all get balanced together. it usually costs 80-100. best place to do it is gpop shop.

you need to search moar

 

For a turbo that old, you'd want to balance it. Newer name brand turbos are all component balanced first, and the assembly is checked for balance and it rarely needs altered. I've messed around with changing wheels on some MGT series Honeywell turbos and never needed to rebalance.

 

Go find another good Sr20 t25 in the $100-200 range. None of the t25 china chargers are "great" on a miata. Don't waste time or energy rebuilding them. Just go pick up another cheap used one if it breaks.

 

I have yet to find a 100-150$ working t25 without a wierd flange, must be few and far between. What about the t25/28 turbo begi sells

 

it is an utter piece of junk

basically exactly same as ebay, but with a $400 markup

 

I have purchased 4 over the past 8 years. 3 of them are still out on cars being used. Get on searchtempest and 240 forums. It shouldn't take you longer then a month to find one.

The t25 Begi uses is garbage. Every t25 chinacharger I have seen dyno for have horrible spool and lackluster power. The t3 chinacharger that I used on my setups is about the best china charger you can get.

 

So for 400$ it's rip, but for 200$ it's OK?

 

I was zilvia.net and couldn't find one for the life of me, guess I know where to find one now

 

its actually 600 from begi iirc

junk either way, but I'm sure it's more "acceptable" when it's 3x cheaper


the key with finding stuff like this is patience. there isn't a steady supply. you gotta wait for it

 

I'm curious to see the damage as well...

 

Sorry I didn't even see the request above for pics. I'll try to get some tomorrow when I'm off work

 

Send my your sr20 turbo and I will rebuild it for you as I've done for many other members in the past. I have a pile of sr20 parts...I'm pretty sure I have a used turbine wheel/ shaft.

 

Sorry for the delay, here are some pics. Sorry again- they are big!















This is not an exact measurement- the caliper couldn't accurately reach the back side-



no visible damage to the housing

 

Thirdgen- do you work at a turbo shop? Can you do balancing? I have no problem rebuilding the turbo myself aside from farming out the balancing job and sourcing a turbine. Ive already taken this one completely apart to measure the bearing sizes. Would you sell me a used turbine impeller? How much? Thanks