Putting Steel Exhaust Wheels On 34 Gtr Turbos

[livewire]

Just wondering if It's possible to replace the factory ceramic exhaust wheels on the R34 GTR turbos for steel ones to make them pretty much N1's? As I've seen the steel wheel rebuild kits on ebay for r32 and r33 turbos but not r34. Has anyone done it or know what it would cost if It's possible?

Thanks

[MrStabby]

It is possible, but that doesn't make them N1s. I believe rebuild cartridges are much more expensive for 34's as they use ball bearings, and since N1s are only 2200 nobody bothers since it works out about the same or close enough, especially once you take into account the installation cost.

Well that's my recollection of what I was thinking before i bought -7s.

[r32-25t]

The problem is -7s work out to be cheaper

[Piggaz]

^^

As above.

Buy -7's. New turbo's and you can sell the stockers for some money. That translates into you having a heavier wallet!

[XKLABA]

or -9s, i've got -7s and i've seen GTRseans car with -9s go, go the -9s

[discopotato03]

It's your call but IMO for the expense/effort involved in removing and replacing RB26 twins , and rebuilding bush bearing cartridges , I'd prefer new ball bearing units .

Perhaps you could enquire about buying cartridges used in the 707160-9/GTSS turbos but when I did a few years back they were not available as cartridges only .

Off the top of my head R34 BB turbos are a GT2556R and while they may be rebuildable with steel turbines I think the best direct replacement is the -9/GTSS because they are an RB26 specific turbo rather than some generic variant .

Yes they cost a bit of cash but imagine what it would cost to remove and replace rebuilt plain bearing turbos again if you damaged one .

The bottom line is that well designed ball bearing cartridges are a lot more reliable long term if they are not abused and the engine serviced properly .

RB26 twins are a major PITA to work on/around so you want to minimise the need to R/R them unless you are rich/someone else is doing the spannering/it's not a daily driven car .

Do it once do it right .

A .

[Beer Baron]

also stock R34 turbos have much smaller wheels and housings than N1s. so even with steel wheels they will not flow as much.

[Moodles2]

Garrett uses Inconel wheels on their BB turbos (-7, -9, -10, -5, and most likely R34 N1's), pretty sure Inconel is a heck lot lighter than whatever grade of steel the "N1 spec" kits use.

"N1 spec" with thrust bearing + steel wheel + even with the smaller housings, the genuine R34 N1 would easily outflow them and most likely even be less laggier.