2nd Hand Upgrade Turbo

[Lozza150]

Ok ..... thsi may sound a little vague. Here is the thought process......

I was interested in what you may think about this situation.

Say i could buy an existing (eg HKS 2530) in good working order it's got some K's on it but is in great condition.

or

A freshly rebuilt (eg.HKS 2530) turbo. Done by a reputable company.

there is minimal price difference.

A: Do you reckon the fresh rebuilt turbo is the same as the original.

B: Would it be a better idea to pass both up and buy brand new?

C:Reckon im still better getting the 2nd hand turbo with the K's on it. (cause it's original)

Thoughts?

[uniquesil]

Are the good second hand and rebuilt second hand one going to cost oyu around the same price?

[BHDave]

It would depend on whether the hypothetical rebuilt turbo maintains a bb core and the original wheels.

Seriously, a 50k old bb turbo will still be perfectly fine if it has had clean oil run through it and hasn't eaten any rocks or bits of piston.

I'd have a quick look at the second hander and if the wheels are undamaged and it spins freely with minimal sise to side movement and virtually no thrust movement tell the guy straight up that you'll take it but if it blows smoke he gets it back and you want a full refund. Same with the rebuilt one if you go that way, as you seriously dont have any way of knowing that it's been rebuilt without pulling it apart anyway.

[uniquesil]

Does the rebuilt one have a receipt? Hey Dave, do most turbos that have been rebuilt still use original wheels and bb core? I'd be interested to know.

Thanks.

Joel.

[BHDave]

It depends on what sort of condition the turbo was in when it went in for a rebuild. If there was excess thrust movement and the back of the wheels got scraped to buggery then they are throw away, same with excess sided to side. HKS wheels aren't the easiest things to get as they tend to run a slightly different trim to the regular garret turbos.

regarding the cores, it's less common to see it these days as rebuilding bb turbos is more common, but 5 years ago, if you went looking for a rebuild it was plain bearing or the bin.

So if it's off the car an has been rebuilt as a precaution or because it was getting a bit smokey, the yes, it will likely retain the original wheels.

[uniquesil]

ok. I was just owndering because I got offered one that needs a rebuild. I am happy with my setup but was thinking of getting it rebuilt and selling it. I don't really care baout making money off it but I wouldn't want to lose money. Any thoughts??

[andz]

A (original with low Ks)

Edited June 7, 2007 by andz

[BHDave]

ok. I was just owndering because I got offered one that needs a rebuild. I am happy with my setup but was thinking of getting it rebuilt and selling it. I don't really care baout making money off it but I wouldn't want to lose money. Any thoughts??

Without knowing it's history i can't say.

If you know it was on a car and running fine then by all means get it, but if someone is selling a turbo and stating that it needs a rebuild then there's a fair chance it's rooted.

[BNR32t]

I personaly would prefer new, if you have the money you are getting what you pay for.

If you buy a second hand/ rebuilt turbo you might not be getting what you are paying for.

However you might be getting a better deal.

I prefer new.

[discopotato03]

Would I be right in thinking that your asking our opinions on the cost versus risk factor ?

If cost was equal go a brand newin but probably not the case .

If the second hand usable one was in good condition (need to see the cartridge with housings removed) , if discounted .

If the rebuilt one WAS done by someone who can replicate OEM tolerances and durability if the price is competitive .

Truthfully the only unique parts in that turbo are the T3 flanged HKS integral gate turbine housing and its 63 trim compressor wheel . The GT2860RS is very similar and with the HKS turbine housing performs much the same .

The real trick is to get that direct fit turbine housing because it bolts to your std manifold and dump pipe . After that you have a reasonably wide choise of GT2860 series cartridges and so can set it up to do what you want in that 220-230 kw range . BTW check thotse "GT2530's" your looking at , cartridge number should be 446179-5021 .

My list shows the complete unit no's as 472560-0004 or -0011 under HKS . I imagine one is for RB26 type and the other RB20/25 but not sure which is which . I think there was also an SR20 version with a GT25/28 flange and outlet .

Your call , cheers A .

[Lozza150]

Thanks Disco.

So if you were to rebuild the damaged turbo (the example is the 2530) with the Garrett wheels you would roughly get similar performance?

For some reason something in the back of my mind says a "rebuilt" turbo is a safer option than used.....

[MANWHORE]

ok. I was just owndering because I got offered one that needs a rebuild. I am happy with my setup but was thinking of getting it rebuilt and selling it. I don't really care baout making money off it but I wouldn't want to lose money. Any thoughts??

Getting it rebuilt and selling it? You said that you weren't thinking about making money off it, why else would you rebuild it to sell it?

Like the other guys have said, there are a range of garrett turbos very similar to the 2530. Second hand ones can go for around 1k. If you rebuild it for yoursel fto use, then fine. But if you rebuild it, you might make a hundred or two, but all that effort just for a 1-2 hundred?