K03 turbocharger, any good???

[jtanguay]

I read on the internet about compressor surges and whatnot... but this is only for really high engine RPM right?  I'm just looking for something that doesnt take forever to spool up (highway driving, that turbo is GREAT btw! but city it just plain stinks)

Do these turbochargers take greater care? such as leaving the engine running for an extra minute or two after a long drive?

If anyone has installed a K03 on their car and have had good luck with it please let me know!

Thanks!

[QuickTD]

My '97 jetta has the original K03, 255000km on it. I'm now running aroung 15-16psi boost. No particular care given to it and it works well. Very quick to spool (full boost by 1500rpm) but a bit small for what I'm trying to do.

 Compressor surge happens when the turbocharger compressor flow rating exceeds the engines demand at a given boost level. The compressor blades "stall", producing a banging or slapping noise and sometimes causing damage to the compressor wheel or the bearings. More likely to occur with turbo's that are sized quite large for the engine. Not very likely to occur with the tiny K03. You would be more likely to experience "choke". This happens when to engine requires more air flow than the compressor can provide, the inlet air velocity becomes supersonic and the compressor cannot deliver any more volume.

[jtanguay]

Thanks for the info QuickTD!   1500-1800 rpm is exactly what I'm looking for

BTW do you have to change oil often to preserve this turbo?  Or does it matter???

[QuickTD]

The turbo is standard equipment on 95 and up 1.9TD's. It is not a rocket part   . It requires no special handling or care. I change my oil every 10000km. The K03 is one of the toughest turbo's you will encounter, it is exceptionally difficult to destroy.

[TDIMeister]

Ditto a Garrett GT15, which is a bolt-on match to the K03 installed in the AHU TDI.