i guess with all respect travis, we have these threads usually weekly
some guy wants to buy a $200 ebay turbo and cant understand why it wont perform ace and be really really good
its going to be junk, we have these threads flat out - turbocharger performance isnt sub $300 and never will be
you need quality components and specialist balancing and r&d - its best in all circumstances to stay away from cheap turbochargers
im not saying to go and spend $2900 on a HKS kit but dont spend $300 and expect it to be great, it will be junk
by junk most people mean
- bitch to fit
- bitch to make it mate up to other items
- crappy welds / parts used
- laggy as all hell, typically worse than the std turbo
- short lifespan / life time
yes there are expections to this, but as a general rule, stay away. you can get off the shelf garrett units for sub $1000 these days brand new
why would you not go for a trusted brand, locally supported (GCG in sydney) with all the charts, sheets, specs you need
you can even choose wheel options, housing options, actuator options and other stuff such as compressor maps