Turbo Choices, Opinions, Prices Etc.

[Ehgriez]

Ok so before I start naming turbos Ill tell you what its for.

R32 GTS-4, RB20, Daily driven, Some track time, currently stock, would like ~200kw, however power figure isnt the biggest issue.

Ok, now I am currently in the process of doing a timing belt change and fuel clean up of the engine, water pump etc, most things that dont cost more than your kidney. I have also started to collect other parts including a front mount, nistune ecu, some sort of boost controller (havent got it yet), and am trying to decide on what turbo to run.

Short list is currently RB25 turbo ( have been offered a couple R34 turbos for decent prices) vs 2530 vs 2510

The 2510 is available from a local shop second hand but good condition already with rb piping and such for $1250

Been offered two seperate R34 turbos for 250 and 500 respectively, probably looking at the one for 500 as its a mate who's a mechanic thats offered it to me so its worth the 250 for some peace of mind.

The 2530 is only there because it seems to be what alot of others are running from the searching I've done.

So really I want something that is going to spool early (3-3.5 or so) and make the small amount of power I'm after.

Lets get this ball rolling.

[R31Nismoid]

HKS 2530.

2510 would be about 180rwkw, 2530 is 200-220rwkw

[Ehgriez]

What sort of difference in response would we be talking with the 2510 vs 2530 and even an rb25 turbo though?

Like i said power figure isnt the biggest issue, I'd rather have a responsive 180kw car than a 4500 rpm 200rwkw car.

[Ehgriez]

To throw another spanner into the works, KKR turbos, I hear some good things, I hear some bad things, I hear they're cheap

Anyone know anything about them from PERSONAL experience (we can all rag on cheap turbos from things we heard from our sisters boyfriends cousin)

[R31Nismoid]

RB20's have enough problems with response - you don't want a KKR on there

As i said on the R31 forum, best thing for the RB20 is to buy the best turbo you can with the most money.

Thats where the value is for RB20's to get the best/most enjoyable

[Ehgriez]

Yeah I heard the KKR's are a bit laggy but not from anyone thats owned one.

So 2530 is going to be more responsive than 33 turbs/2510 and provide the power I want?

Anyone else gonna pitch in?

[N1GTR]

2530.

[2LV8ETR]

What sort of difference in response would we be talking with the 2510 vs 2530 and even an rb25 turbo though?

Like i said power figure isnt the biggest issue, I'd rather have a responsive 180kw car than a 4500 rpm 200rwkw car.

The 2530 is your best option if it's open to you. I went a different route and had a custom built turbo made to cater for my needs, but I was chasing big power.

The RB20 torque response is a pain in the butt due to the short stroke, but if you get the combination of supporting mods, gearing, and driver technique right, you will easily achieve the power figures you are chasing.

Good luck man.

[Ehgriez]

Quick search brings a 2530 in at $2800

2510 being available at 1250 and rb25 turbo at 500.

So im considering a 25 turbo for now and a 2530 down the trackish?

Or am i better off with 2510 for nowish and 2530 if i feel the power isnt enough for laterish?

Id just rather not part with 3g atm.

[Chi100188]

why not 2535 i have it on my 25 and its quiet sick aye !!!!!!!! but yeah ill recommend the 2530 its like instant boosts

[paulr33]

if you can get the 2510 for half the price sub $1000, you would be mad not to go for it vs a 2530 for sub $2000

buy that, spend the money you save on other things to make the car quicker

ie you could change diff gears to 4.5 which would drive more power / lateral acceleration

making the overall package better

[paulr33]

check the rb20 turbo upgrade thread

someone on here had rb20 and 2510

just check the power doesnt nose off too early

but it should be fine

id imagine a 2510 with diff gears would make the car pretty quick

[skylinecouple]

The RB20 does like to rev, so I'd go with the 2535. Then again, your car comes in at 1,500kgs and a small high revving 2ltr engine would be annoying. I guess you have to decide, do you want instant boost for every day driving or maybe move the boost 500rpm up the rev range and go for the 2535. Either way I think the 2510 is going to leave you really breathless at the top end. Go the 2530 at least. I believe the RB25 turbo is good but only if wheels are replaced with something a little more robust. Then should be good for 190-210kws.

[discopotato03]

I'm not a big fan of the HKS GT2510 , it sort of went along the lines of the turbo thinking of the time ie get a good a good turbo (ie GT2530) and make it a bit more responsive with a slightly more restrictive turbine/housing combination .

Basically a 2510 is a 2530 with the 11 bladed 62T turbine instead of the latters 9 bladed 76T turbine .

What HKS did later for the SR20s was a different spec "GTSS" to their RB26 version , they kept the 2530's 76T turbine but opted for a smaller trim 60mm compressor (60T vs 63T), better later thinking IMO .

Hard to argue with an RB spec 2530 but there can be other ways to skin the cat .

Really the critical part of that 2530 is the turbine housing , if you could find a cheap trashed 2530 with a good turbine housing you could fit that to say a GT2860RS cartridge and comp housing and your away . Modern day 2530 with HKSs custom turbine housing .

Just in case people are confused with the GT25xxR and GT28xxR numbering system ...

Garrett in their wisdom have finally tried to unify their numbering system and it works like this .

The above mentioned turbines , 53.8mm OD 62T turbine is now called GT25 . The 53.8mm 76T one is now called GT28 .

So in the current system a GT2510 would be called a GT2560R and the GT2530 a GT2860R , the problem goes back to the days of the earliest T25 to GT25 ball bearing center sections where all the T25 type conversions were called GT25BB .

A .

Just for the die hard propeller heads , I recently found the cartridge number for that SR20 only spec GTSS and its 446179-53 .

Bloody Garrett have recently released it in an OEM looking turbo (off christ only knows what) - and they call it a GT2554R ?

GT28 turbine and 60mm compressor wheel ? How the hell do you get GT25 and 54 out of that ?

Edited May 5, 2009 by discopotato03

[Ehgriez]

RB20DET stock internals

HKS GT2510 @ 1.3bar

GTR injectors

Bosch 040

standard afm

3inch exhaust no cat

Trust fmic

Tomei Eprom

SAFC2

288 HP @ wheels or 215rwkw

internally stock RB20, 171,000kms

HKS 2510 turbo, 1.3bar

300x600x50mm cooler

PowerFC with boost control kit

GTR injectors

044 fuel pump

3.5" dump/exhaust

stock exhaust manifold

Z32 AFM

best dyno was 208rwkw

Dynos of last guys on first page of RB20 upgrade thread.

Swaying towards 2510 now, price is there, power is there, response is there?

Has anyone had the 2510 before and upgraded to something different?

[femno]

HKS 2530.

Its a very responsive turbo out of the box, will spool early like you want it to, and has a fair bit of headroom if you find you dont have enough power (guaranteed you will get over it), you can make up to 230kw with this turbo earlier on in the rev range, which is great for around town and will give you some awesome corner exit speeds around the track.

With Tomei 260 cams, adjustable cam gears, 20psi boost, GTR injectors and PowerFC, we made 230kw at 6,000rpm. After that the power dropped off considerably but its was a manace on the street! Amazing mid-range torque!

Id also think you would be able to find one of these turbos for around 1500 second hand, youd be stupid to pay anywhere near 3k for this turbo!

[paulr33]

my vote is 2510 and money you save spend on diff gears

will shift the average power band and make the entire package better

ive seen a 32 with diff gears really excel in lateral acceleration vs normal 32s

[Ehgriez]

I already have 4.3 Diff gears as standard on the GTS-4

[paulr33]

ah bugger, could have been an easy win then

[reNEGaDe88]

RB25 turbo for now. $250-300. R34 Neo turbo will be too laggy, comp housing is too big for a 2L.

2530 for the RB20. If u get a turbo get a proper one. U will get tired of 200rwk.

As the others have said, RB20's love a rev. 8000rpm's of it. So make it special. Get a 2530 which is a lil down on response, but much more up on power.

A full turbo conversion costs $3000+, cos u need turbo lines and custom dump or intake piping. I wouldn't pay 3K for a 2510.

RB25 turbo is a straight slap on.