Caveat Emptor Turbos

[Rabbit TD]

I think it should be noted that the usual Chinese intercoolers are actually very good. Even some very well performing race cars use them, as well as the famous 600+ hp TD Mercs of western Finland.
Sometimes cheap can be good, but when you think about the simplicity of an alloy intercooler compared to a complete turbochager unit, you see why I/C from China are OK but few turbos are.

 I've always wondered about those turbos too, I think the seals would probably be the biggest concern with them.  I really don't know anyone personaly who ever got one other than I think ARB here in the forum got one from Prothe but I don't know how it worked for him.  I'd be afraid of them myself though, not so much about blowing up but lack of boost and oil leaks but who knows, they might be fine in a lower output engine.

[jtanguay]

http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=16168&highlight=turbo
(even OEM turbo's can fail)

i would also wonder about the efficiency of these (chinese) turbo's.  many people on TDIclub have bought them and stated that they were worse than the OEM turbo.  could be subjective though, as they were using an 'uprated' turbo, and possibly the lag was the issue.  

it'd be nice for someone to give these cheaper turbo's a decent review (non biased) for everyone, rather than cutting them up because they're of chinese origin.

[88jetta350]

http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=16168&highlight=turbo
(even OEM turbo's can fail)

i would also wonder about the efficiency of these (chinese) turbo's.  many people on TDIclub have bought them and stated that they were worse than the OEM turbo.  could be subjective though, as they were using an 'uprated' turbo, and possibly the lag was the issue.  

it'd be nice for someone to give these cheaper turbo's a decent review (non biased) for everyone, rather than cutting them up because they're of chinese origin.

Well, if the Chinese would stop flooding the market with garbage, Chinese imports wouldn't have the bad name that they do.

They gave themselves a bad name, not us. I think everyone has had at least one "Made in China" experience, where something they just bought failed or broke almost immediately.

In my case it was a 17mm socket that split, and screwed up my wrist forever. I'm reminded of that POS every day when I wake up and can barely move my wrist.

[BlueMule]

I would like to clarify, again, the whole point of my post. It had less to do with were the turbo was made and more to do with the quality, it just so happens that suppliers are having cheap knockoffs of quality parts made in China, again the point of origin is a reference not a qualifier.
I have purchased very high quality parts from Chinese suppliers, oil filters for example, I was able to purchase Nissan knockoffs that were exact duplicates, down to the Rockwell of the top to the exact media inside for 1$ US, and I can get Bosch and Mann knockoffs for about 60 cents ea US. But remember it is the local supplier who specs these things not the builder in China, so just like a computer garbage in garbage out.

However that having been said, the photo in this link shows that not only is this turbo poorly executed but also dangerous, you cannot grind off half of the retaining nut and the threaded portion of the shaft and think this is safe, also look at the damage to the vanes, no independent testing is needed.

http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=15633&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=105

As far as performance is concerned if the supplier cannot provide a Map for the turbo in question then I am not interested, and I don't think anyone will be wasting money to perform these tests anytime soon, but who knows.

The point about intercoolers is also interesting, the supplier should be able to provide you with pressure drop specs, that way you have some idea of the performance. If not, you could buy it and then put it on the flow bench you have in the garage, and..........., well you get the point.

I also was curious and looked up the P..... thread, I am afraid of saying the name, lest this thread get closed, and it was an interesting look into a different philosophy, very interesting.

[andy2]

Well I'm running chinese turbo's,intercooler/piping,exhaust manifold on my newest setup planned to boost 45-55 psi.I had to go this route as I'm still trying out different turbo's and until I get the right setup I have to try cheap turbo's.The material quality is the only issue that I see with these items however I have pushed the chinese T3 to 30 psi with no issues :wink: .If I had any doubt's about this stuff I never would have bought it in the first place.

[BlueMule]

Andy, I am glad things are working out for you. If I may add, you really don't need to set the engine up by trial and error. Get out your calculator and go to these links and they can help you size the turbo VS horsepower, then you can tell your IP builder the RPM, HP and air volume and he can set it up to very close to perfect. Or you can buy a bench racing program, just a suggestion.  

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/tech_center/turbo_tech101.html

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/tech_center/turbo_tech102.html

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/tech_center/turbo_tech103.html

Woot 10 posts, woot der it is

[kibs45]

I am glad somebody finally mentioned its not where the turbo is made but how the turbo is made seeing as Holset has at least one plant in China.

[andy2]

Its a bit tricky when sizing compound turbos to get just to right results you want on both compressor and turbine end.I'd doubt there is anything online that can calculate this and how to setup wastegates,intercooling etc. I have basically learned it the trial and error way and would do it again :wink: .

[rallydiesel]

Have you got a compound set-up going again?

[andy2]

The engine is almost assembled.

[1slowvw]

Can't wait to see pic Andy, and to the OP love the thread name very intellectual like haha.

1SlowVW

[monomer]

There are plenty of decent turbos on e-bay, not all cheap ones are china junk.


A lot of people goto the junkyards and rebuild them themselves (you can buy seals, center sections already balanced, new wheels)


Turbonetics supply's turbos at a cheap enough price to buy new.

[Rabbit on Roids]

would anyone know where to pick up a center section for a VNT1749a turbo?