Turbo purchase advice

[tylernt]

I haven't been here for a while, so sorry if this is a stupid question. I started my build like 2.5 years ago and I'm finally putting it all back together so it's time to buy a turbo. I need the advice of this forum though, because I'm pretty clueless. I know that I have an exhaust manifold with the trapezoid bolt pattern ('83 Jetta was the donor), and I know I want something that spools fast (at low RPM) and I don't need more than 15PSI max boost as this will be a family car daily driver. I have mechanical lifters, so no fancy metal head gaskets for me, has to be stock... I also don't want to mess with a VNT. I do have 12mm ARP head studs on the way though.

What I don't know is what turbo I should buy, nor where I should buy it. So I'm looking for turbo suggestions as well as any favored online turbo sellers. Help?? 

[Vincent Waldon]

-  exhaust manifold with the trapezoid bolt pattern

-  spools fast (at low RPM)

- 15PSI max boost

K14... /thread.  

[RadoTD]

K14... /thread.  

+17

[tylernt]

  Perfect. Now where can I buy a new one?

[Hiho]

www.ebay.de

search for vw turbo.

[blackdogvan]

Good luck finding a good used one, some say they are pretty hard / $$$ to rebuild.

[tylernt]

www.ebay.de

search for vw turbo.

Found one there, but the exhaust inlet and intake outlet are both pointing the same direction which I assume is proper for the T3/Vanagon, but no good for my Jetta.

Seriously, there's nobody that sells a new turbo in the US? What's up with that? Where did you guys all get your turbos from?? 

If a new/rebuilt K14 can't be had for love or money, the turbo the engine came with seems to be a K24. Can I convert it to a K14 by having a rebuild shop swap out the wheels or is it more involved than that?

[Hiho]

rebuilding the k14 is not difficult as long as the turbine and compressor are not damaged and the bearing cartridge isnt badly corroded where it attaches to the hot snail. The rebuild kits are about $50. You will need to have the turbo balanced after rebuilding it too.

[Syncroincity]

A Garrett T2 will work also, it's a bit smaller, traditional external wastegate actuator & rubber sense hose, it'll blow 15psi all day long.

[GEE-BEE]

Ask Jerry at Gpopshop.com

He might have what you are looking for

GB

[tylernt]

Thanks GB but they said they don't stock trapezoidal turbos, and a K24 cannot be converted.

So... if I end up rebuilding this K24 and bolting on a 2.5" exhaust, how bad am I going to hate the lag? Are we talking 4,000rpm before hitting 15PSI or what?

Thanks guys...

[fatmobile]

Naaah,
 more like 2000 before you feel boost,
 but even down low, when you take off has a little more power off boost.

[vanbcguy]

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about my K24.  It spools pretty quickly really - it usually has boost by the high teens and is easily over 10 PSI by 2K RPM.  2K to 4K is fantastic - if you are cruising along the highway at about 2200 or so you get full boost for passing or whatever basically instantly.

I'm sure a K14 would do a little better in the first 100 feet or so off a stoplight but by the time you're pulling hard you will probably like the bigger turbo.  The K24 can be used at much higher boost levels than 15PSI too without destroying it.