a few small questions

[zacmil]

Hey everyone, last summer I purchased an 89 S13 and have spent the past year kicking around various ideas as to what I should do with it. Recently, I've been thinking that I'll probably get the most bang for my buck if I go KA-T.

Now I'm completely new to turbocharging and I've been trying to learn all that I can but, due to school and a lack of funds, I have yet to get my hands on one and actually start messing around. Anyway, I'll occasionally lurk around craigslist looking for some good deals on parts that I can use and this morning I found two turbos, one I'm about 95% sure I could use and the other I have no clue about.

The first is a Holset H1C. I did some searching and it seems like this is an acceptable turbo for a good KA-T build, but I'd still like to get some input on it. In the seller's description he says "Assembly #3524122. Air inlet is aprrox. 3 in and outlet to engine is just a hair under 2 in". Also, he says that there is some shaft play from normal wear and tear, so I think I would probably want to get it rebuilt. I know that prices of a rebuild (I would probably have someone do it, I would have no clue how) vary from place to place vary but could anyone give me a ballpark idea. Finally, the guy is asking $75, does that sound like a fair price?

The second turbo came off of an early 80s model Mercedes turbodiesel. I searched around to try and find out what kind of turbo they used but couldn't find anything. I have no clue if this would work on my car, but the guy only wants like $40, so I figured it might be worth looking into. If anyone has any info about this turbo, I'd really appreciate it.

Sorry if I'm asking questions that have been covered a million times already or are just plain dumb, I'm just trying to get a little better idea about all of this stuff. Thanks in advance!

-Zac

[WDRacing]

The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask before you buy the wrong stuff. The used H1C is a great turbo, but a good used one is around $250-400. I'd be worried about that one, also things with turbo's aren't measured in approximates....lol. That makes me worry about that seller and that item. I'm all about buyer beware

I'll look into that Benz turbo and get back to you. If it's a T3 or bigger it may be worth the $40. Got a link?

Welcome to KAT

WD

[WDRacing]

Ok, looks like the 190D turbo came with a T25. That's to small for a good build.

WD

[zacmil]

Thanks for the reply. I was really hoping that the benz turbo would work... oh well. As far as the Holset goes, from the way that his ad reads, I'm assuming that he just wound up with this turbo laying around. I think I might try and take a look at it, if it does appear to be in good shape that would be one heck of a deal.

Here's a link to his ad, in case you were curious http://louisville.craigslist.org/pts/1727841940.html

Any thoughts on how much I could expect to pay someone to rebuild it for me?

[WDRacing]

The good thing about factory Holsets is that they run for friggin ever if the oil was changed properly. Check the shaft play both side to side and in and out. Take a close look at the compressor blades at there tips. Look for odd bends and shiny parts. Shiny means it contacted something, especially where the blades meet the compressor housing itself.

I didn't realize you could examine the turbo. If it looks good I'd grab it, a rebuild is probably 350ish.

WD

[zacmil]

Yeah, I have a phobia about buying stuff sight unseen unless I know that I will get quality merchandise or I know the seller will make things right in the event of any problem; that's why I try to buy stuff that I can go get myself. Thanks for all the advice, you've been a big help.