Does This Used Turbo Look Ok To Buy....?

[Gts-t]

As per the topic i am considering buying this used hks gt-rs turbo for my s15. I have bought a few used turbos before but i just thought i would ask here for some more opinions, I am mostly concerned about the amount of corroision and the colour of the exhaust wheel and wastegate flap. Does it look like its had a hard life? I have the money to buy a new Gt2871R but this used turbo is less than half the price and i wouldnt mind saving the money if it looks ok.

Thanks guys

[Ben C34]

Corrosion isn't an issue.

Can't tell if the bearings are fine via photos.

[Gts-t]

Apparently the turbo has no shaft play and no marks on any of the compressor/exhaust wheel fins or inside the housings they run in.

I'm mostly concerned about the colour of the exhaust wheel and really and havent been able to find much info on it. The turbos ive bought in the past have had black sooty exhaust wheels. the only other turbo i have at home in one i changed on a saab because it had stopped spinning and the exhaust wheel on it looks a similar colour to this gt-rs

Im wondering if it was running to lean, or if it was on e85 or another type of fuel, there is very limited info from the seller as he bought a rebuilt sr20 and it came on it.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

I would personally buy one new if you can't see it in person, heck I'll even throw in the Hypergear turbo idea... probably matched performance and new for a little more than that 2nd hand turbo... not to mention awesome support & warranty

[Blackkers]

buying a 2nd hand turbo is always a bit sketchy as it is super easy to clean any oil out of the comp housing to mask seal issues.

Buying one 2nd hand without seeing it in person is even more sketchy.

I'd suggest the hypergear line. Message Tao and tell him what power range you're looking for and he will tell you which turbo will do it with the best response. Easy; and as Johnny said it will have a warranty.

I'd be willing to bet it's not that much more expensive either

[89CAL]

You cant tell the condition of a turbo from photos, unless there is an obvious problem (eg. blades damaged)

You need to feel the shaft for play etc

[Gts-t]

I believe the guy that there is no shaft play and have had luck buying used turbos before that are still running fine 10 years later. Anyway what is the hypergear equivalent to a 2871r 52t .64 or gt-rs. I know they are the same lets not do the Hks vs garrett debate on this turbo.

I don't see the point of going one size up with a 2860rs .64 aka disco potato .64. I don't want to change the cams from stock and want 230-250rwkw. I'm thinking upto 20 psi boost no more on 98 octane.

Stock turbo is fun and handy around town but I'm just bored with it really

[89CAL]

Talk to stao about an ss1pu. Sounds like what you want. Go look at his thread. Index on first page

[harks]

mate be VERY careful about buying any second hand

I just went through the headache of buying "5000km old" GT SS turbos, looked fkn immacualte, mechanic inspected said fractional shaft play on one, oither was g2g.. once installed it was fked out and wouldnt boost properly when getting tuned.

Cost me an extra $5k for new turbos, stud kit, labour of the changover, tune and then the extra 2 and half hours of tuning already conducted on the old set (what should have been 6k for my job turned into 11) because a second hand turbo that seemd fine was bad

Not saying this will happen to you, but you need to ask yourself is the 1k ish saving worth the thousands of dollars of risk and the uncertainty of what your getting. Plus the GT2871 (or equivelant) will be a more powerful unit, so it depends if you want more room to move.

my 2c

[Humbla]

Gcg,ten years later still going strong. :-)

[Ben C34]

It also comes down to whether you trust the seller or not.

What was wrong with the turbo harks?

Edited October 18, 2014 by Ben C34

[djvoodoo]

Def luck of the draw with these things.

I bought 2x R34 N1 turbos second hand off Jesse Streeter through yahoo japan this year and they are in perfect condition :-)