Yet another turbo choice thread - what is happening in the turbo market these days?

[dorifticon]

Yet another turbo choice thread - what is happening in the turbo market these days?

OK, here we go, I'll try to keep this short:

-I did my homework, albeit more than a year ago.
-the turbo is going on a built RB31dett (forged, cams, etc).
-having looked at compressor maps and similar builds on here, I am going for something with similar dimensions to a T88
-I have started collecting parts, including a good quality tubular high-mount manifold with a split-flange, merge-collected T4 and (TiAL) twin 38mm external wastegates.
-Given how much I spent on my motor, cheap chinese turbos are out of the question. I want good VALUE, in terms of price per performance/durability. I understand I will have to pay for that.

At that time, there were limitations in what features a T88 turbo could have. Few had ball bearings, none were water cooled, I don't recall seeing any billet compressors.

My question is, which of the following features on my wish list can I now have in a reputable brand, and where is a good place to buy it:

-T88 size
-ball bearing
-water cooled
-billet turbo wheel
-t4 split flange
-(are there any other features I should be chasing)?

[Piggaz]

Power target?

[sneakey pete]

Also usage goal might be good to have?

[Count Grantleyish]

I'm surprised both of posters above didn't say Borg Warner EFR.

[Meathead]

1 hour ago, Count Grantleyish said:

I'm surprised both of posters above didn't say Borg Warner EFR.

Me too!  however if it were me then I'd go the EFR9180 1.05 EWG which would be perfect for an RB31  for everything except drag racing.   My 2 bits haaa

 

[sneakey pete]

I always say it depends on application, given a turbo size like that my gut feeling its a drag racing application, and a 9180 probably wouldn't really be suited. Also i don't think it'd be big enough anyway.

There might be a non EFR borg warner of a good size that would be ok (SXE range?) but i don't know anything about em, and the precision might be just as good/better.

[s2d4]

Interesting that your last year's search ended up with T88 variants as that was 2006 for the GK and in the 90s for the D.

They were all +1000hp turbos so none of the EFRs would do the job on the top end. Considering you want water cooled turbos then you are basically looking at Garret GT42 and above or BW SX lines as mentioned above.

[R_34]

That's S400SX-E territory as the 500 seems to be T6 flanged. Not familiar at all with these turbo either but they're not BB nor watercooled. I don't think that BW is doing any BB/WC CHRA of this size, and for what I see garrett is only doing watercooled one. To big for ballbearings I think.

The first suitable would be a GTX4202R as it has billet wheel, is watercooled, available in T4 twin scroll and about T88-38GK power rating.

[jet_r31]

Pt 7675

Gtx 4202

Fp 4205htz

Also depends..which t88 you are

Talking about...

Cheers

Darren

Edited October 28, 2016 by jet_r31

[dorifticon]

Thanks for the responses - All very useful.

In terms of goal/usage, I am trying to selection the turbo to match the flow potential for the motor more than anything (the current twin low-mount HKS2530s are just producing heat and not much else above 23psi), and usage will be occasional weekend use (although at some point I'd like to take it to a 1/4 mile).

Having the actual model numbers/names of these turbos makes googling around a lot easier.

It seems like advances in technology are allowing relatively smaller turbos to flow more air, which is a good thing.

The GTX4202R looks to be a very good contender so far - but how come they all quote the price without a compressor housing? Not a big deal but just seems strange.