Apexi AX53B60 turbos versus HKS 2530's for GTR

[Roy]

t517z are available with two different exhaust housing sizes, 8cm2 and 10cm2. the 8cm2 are roughly equivalent to 2530s.

t618z are the equivalent of the new HKS GT-RS, and are too big for a standard capacity RB26.

As meggala said they are oil cooled only, unlike the HKS range.

The R33 i have been in with the T517Z was a very nice car, and from the passenger seat seemed very responsive. It was only running 1bar and had a crappy cat and would benefit from an OZ tuner as well.

Its funny to see how many of us rely on Zoom/HPI for out informtation, HPI say T517Z are a good turbo, so all of a sudden nice things are being said about them, when before they werent considered because they are too laggy as they werent BB and did not stack up against HKS turbos etc etc

I suspect the R33 owner if aware of the HPI review wont be looking at repalcing his T517Z's now with 2530s:)

[GiJOr33]

yeah the 2530's do seem popular with a lot of twin turbo cars, like the 300ZX TT (which is 3.0lt) and the Soarer 2.5TT. You can't go wrong with the HKS setup, it's tried and true. But at the same time, don't discount the later released turbos from other brands. I too have heard the Apexi's spool up very quickly from a mate who had one on his R33 GTST, but i don't know what they are like in the topend.

[Merli]

Its funny to see how many of us rely on Zoom/HPI for out informtation, HPI say T517Z are a good turbo, so all of a sudden nice things are being said about them, when before they werent considered because they are too laggy as they werent BB and did not stack up against HKS turbos etc etc

I think that's a gross generalisation.

I haven't read HPI or Zoom for about a year now, and ph1 purchased the T517z turbos for his GTR when they were first released blind, without any feedback from other GTR owners, as he was one of the first to use them, and quite possibly the first in Australia to use them.

I thought they would be laggy due to the thrust bearing setup, but after going for a ride in ph1's car, my initial thoughts were unfounded.

This all happened before most people had even HEARD of Trust T517z turbos.

[Roy]

I think that's a gross generalisation.

Off i go running for cover :Oops:

Yeh probably was a gross generalisation, and wasnt actually directed towards anyone in particular, but still i believe its true.

More people will be following ph1 down the Trust path because of the wrap they got in HPI.

Not to say thats a bad thing as feedback is great before purchasing something, but on the flip side its not fair that some parts are maligned or treated with "fear & trepidation" purely because a magazine hasnt gone to bat for them.

[Merli]

I do agree that many people rely on magazine articles to form their "own" opinions though...

It's quite amusing to talk to someone and hear them quote a Zoom article verbatim and pass it off as their own thoughts

[GiJOr33]

my memory is too sh!t to remember a Zoom article verbatim... hehe

[DoughBoy]

I could have sworn alot of people were bagging out plain bearing turbos only a couple of months ago.

[Merli]

I could have sworn alot of people were bagging out plain bearing turbos only a couple of months ago.

That would have been Sydneykid and his "Trust turbos are truck turbos" comment

[Marlin]

Sorry for comin so late, been away.

I can only vouch for my experience with Apexi AX53B60's. I've had em on my GTR for about 4 yrs, but only done about 12,000k's. I do remember they cost me a s**t load, I think about 7G's back then.

I reckon they're great, they aren't as quick responding as alot of you are hearing, but may have a fair bit to do with cam timing also. I've found them pretty awesome for street and track work, but a little lacking in response in a big heavy car for drifting( compared with the previous N1's). I get full boost by about 4800rpms, and it pulls hard to 9,000, but I pull the pin at 8. They're rated to 1.7bar, and I run mine at 1.3bar for around 300RWKW and 11.1 secs. I will be pushing them harder once I've run in my new forged bottom end.

A good mate also has them on an RB26, but in a GTS-t, and with bigger HKS272 cams, it's seen 365RWKW's on the same dyno @ 1.6bar.

On another note, they apparently have a "teflon" insert on the inlet side to limit wear on the compressor wheel, allowing a longer service life. I hope so! The full kit is very comprehensive, with all braided oil and water fittings, 'cause they're based on IHI components, so be careful if buying second hand. Also don't forget to port the exhaust manifolds!

I reckon they're perfect for a street/circuit/strip all-rounder. Cheers!

[Merli]

Marlin was your figure 300kw @ rear wheels or at all four?

[Marlin]

@ rear on dyno dynamics, with "80" ramp rate I think.

[DoughBoy]

11.1 at low boost speaks alot louder than dyno figures >

[Marlin]

I reckon too, especially on old Avon street tyres that had the grip of concrete!