Greetings everyone,

I have a question regarding Garrett ball bearing turbo compressor wheel repairs. Everyone says, that these CHRA's can't be rebuilt, but what about changing just the compressor wheel to a new one with OE geometry?
Got an amazing offer for a GTX 2860R Gen2 with slight damage to the compressor wheel, but everything else is totally fine, no play, turbine wheel is like new.

I think the assembly needs balancing after changing the wheel and that's where I'm stuck, because no one in Germany wants to deal with that. But why? Who does that in the US or in Europe? Anybody with experience?
If I could manage to buy a wheel for 150$ and can find someone to balance it - even if it's expensive - I can make a pretty good deal and join the 300whp club

 

I have good friends having good luck with Kinugawa turbo parts. Is there anyone local to you that can balance it?

 

Turbo Technics or Owen Developments both can rebuild Garrett turbos (UK based).

I believe @andyfloyd has swapped turbo internals with parts from one of the far east manufacturers (Arai Turbo?) so may be able to offer DIY advice too...

 

I used an Arashi compressor wheel on my 2860 Gen2 and I made 373whp @ 22psi. Cant complain, I think Arashi is VERY good.

 

Did you get a shop to balance it or total DIY?

 

Hey guys, thank you for all your tips.

I have some info, maybe even more interesting for the guys from central Europe.

I asked about 10 different companys, who rebuild turbos and only ONE was willing to balance my CHRA as a whole.
They charge a MAXIMUM of 250€ (will see then) for changing the compressorwheel AND balancing the thing to very high standards (better than OE). That does NOT include the compressor wheel, but you can bring the one of your choice.
Company is called "ATC Turbotechnik" in Garbsen, Germany. Very good reputation and only 100 miles away from my home. They only need 1 day.

@andyfloyd I can't find the compressorwheels from Arashi, only complete turbos, do you have a link? I can get Kinugawa/Mamba directly from Asia or via a very good vendor in Germany for ~140€, which is okay.

I will report back, when things are done, can't wait to put the GTX2860 Gen 2 in the Miata, as Andy and others have VERY good results and EFR's are very expensive over here AND I would need a new/customized DP, not worth it to me.
This will be ~700€ and thats totally fine. If it sucks, I'm going to put my 2560R back in.

 

I did not have mine balanced, nobody local could do it and so I just sent it because I'm impatient lol. If the chra wears prematurely then it's on me but I have not seen any issue and I've got 2000 miles on it now. You won't be putting a 2560 back on, you lose no spoolup really at all. I have a overlay from my 2560 dyno and 2860 and the 2860 makes the exact same power and then just takes off at 3800rpm and leaves the 2560 in it's dust.

The blue line is a 2860 @20psi the red line is allofit 2560 @18psi. The 2860 we ended the run earlier in the rpm that's why it doesn't run as far out. But you can see the 2860 loses nothing to a 2560 and destroys it after 3800rpm.

Edit: Arashi will sell you just the wheel if you contact them directly. The wheel is even anodized red and just looks cool. I only used it because I had a gen1 2860 and wanted the better gen 2 wheel. The turbos are identical other than the wheel and compressor housing. I got both the housing and wheel from Arashi and bolted it right on my turbo, slapped it back on the car and ran high boost and started to spin 3rd gear. Lol it's a beast you'll love it

 

Very in depth, sir! Thank you.

I mean, I thought about just sending it, because the wheel itself is balanced, but there were so many horror stories about NOT BALANCING YOUR TURBO, so I scrapped the "just run it" plan, haha.
Now I'm in a dilemma

Generally it seems like this: It explodes the first time it hits >100k rpm OR it lives a happy lifeDon't know what to do.. 250€ is a lot of cash, but good insurance