Need new turbocharger!

Need new turbocharger!

Author
Discussion

Skerd

Original Poster:

384 posts

274 months

Thursday 26th December 2002
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A boost problem has been diagnosed as needing a new turbocharger. Is there any other sources for a 1995 S4s turbocharger besides a factory one?

sydneyse

406 posts

267 months

Friday 27th December 2002
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the S4s turbocharger is nothing special, just a t3 garret with a 60 trim compressor wheel. Any turbo place/workshop can source you a replacement (or improved) garret turbo- the t3 is a VERY old design dating back to the early sixties- the new GT series (ie GT25 or GT28) would be a good replacement for a stock engine, as they have a more modern compressor & turbine design as well as ball bearing shaft for improved spool up.
Some people go for hybrids developed by companies such as turbonetics, who have agents in the UK.
In reality, any turbo workshop can sell you a turbo for a 2.0-2.2L engine with a 7,400rpm redline with a compressor map whcih has maximum efficiency between 0.8 and 1.1 bar of boost.
Not being in the UK I'm not sure of shop names, but a look through the yellow pages would bring up a few (and I'm sure some on the esprit list would recommend a few shops)

cnh1990

3,035 posts

270 months

Friday 27th December 2002
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You can have the turbo rebuilt. We usually take it to a place that normally does truck turbos. Jim pressed in a new bearing as well. Many have moved to installing ball bearing during the rebuild process. Turbonetics is also an excellent ball bearing turbo. Sydney gives good advice. I am glad we are getting from everyone. I like it when we have many contributors, This forum is getting stronger all the time with a good dialogue, we have much less of what wax or car soap to use and more tech stuff than ever. Oh I think those other things are important too but one round on those issues are fine me. Keep the good work guys. Sorry about my spelling from time to time as my fingers type so fast and sometimes I mis-key. Darn, no spell checker on this forum.
Calvin
Calvin

Skerd

Original Poster:

384 posts

274 months

Friday 27th December 2002
quotequote all
Thank you. I will look into it. Lotus headquarters is closed this week so my dealer could not give me a price. But I am sure your suggested alternatives would be a lot cheaper.

adrianmugridge

10,483 posts

291 months

Friday 27th December 2002
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My Turbo was replaced about 3 years ago with a new one from the factory. It's not a cheap option. It was £950 plus around £700 labour ( Chris Neil in Cheshire, £45/hour ). I still have the old one in my garage which I don't know what to do with but can't bring myself to chuck away.

Adrian
97GT3

cnh1990

3,035 posts

270 months

Friday 27th December 2002
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Adrian,
Keep it. I'm suprised they did not ask for it. Most companies require you to turn it in or they have have a core charge. A skilled rebuilder can have as good as new. Many even ceramic coat the turbo, which is real nice and cuts down on the heat in the engine compartment a bit. Skerd it will be quite a bit less expensive having it rebuilt and balanced. Plus if they press in ball bearings it will be an inprovement over stock.
Calvin

rob.ellis

2,861 posts

285 months

Friday 27th December 2002
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Skerd- don't buy a new turbo, you simply don't need to (sorry adrian). I have recently had both my turbos rebuilt on my v8. The option was either two new ones from lotus, or have the existing units rebuilt.

New turbo circa £1000 ea. Rebuild (if its only seals and bearings) will be circa £200. Even if you need a re-core, like both of mine did, you're still only looking at 450 each - ie less than half the cost of a new turbo.

Adrian - who told you that you needed a new turbo - they were talking b*llocks. Also, don't chuck that old turbo away!

Skerd - you're in the uk right? If so, give TURBOTECHNICS a call www.turbotechnics.com/ these guys are experts. The turbos are v difficult to get off - i had the dealer (nick whale, birmingham) remove them, TT then collected the units from them, did the work and delivered them back.

Any probs drop me a mail.
Cheers
Rob
98 V8-GT (two re-built, re-cored turbos)

adrianmugridge

10,483 posts

291 months

Friday 27th December 2002
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Rob

Chris Neils told me I needed a new one when a vane sheered off about 3 years ago. I didn't know any better. Oddly, just after ( 1 week ) it happend I found the TurboEsprit yahoo group. If I'd have had the group then, or pistonheads, I could have saved myself a few pounds. As I say, the old one is still in my garage but what can I do with it ? I can harldy fit two or maybe I could have a Twin Turbo GT3 -

Adrian

cnh1990

3,035 posts

270 months

Friday 27th December 2002
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Have it rebuilt and ready to go or sell it. It is rare but some turbos are too far gone to repair. It is worth a lot of money even broken if it is rebuildable. If you removed the turbo yourself, serviced it and reinstalled the turbo. It would have been a fraction of what you paid and you could have used the money saved to take a nice vacation somewhere or for Lotus upgrades.
Calvin

T0OkNYC72

35 posts

269 months

Saturday 28th December 2002
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Well,I have a brand new one from Lotus for $1000

Skerd

Original Poster:

384 posts

274 months

Saturday 28th December 2002
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I talked to East Coast Turbo and they said they can rebuild it, no problem.

rob.ellis - I am in the USA.

TookNYC72 - I will definetly keep yours in mind. Having it so close is tempting. Lotus USA is closed next week also, so everything is pushed back another week.

cnh1990

3,035 posts

270 months

Saturday 28th December 2002
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Skerd,
Update your profile to the USA, it shows you as from the UK. A lot of us of look up profiles to recomend parts & service for a particular region as well know what type of car you have.
Calvin

Skerd

Original Poster:

384 posts

274 months

Sunday 29th December 2002
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Done.