am I almost scammed? (gt2871)

[Fenvy]

anyways, I been trying to get a gt2871 from this guy and I finally met up with him today.

the man is japanese in his mid 30s, drives a recent model miata, I didn't ask anything about his car or paid close attention because I don't care

he handed me the a taped garrett box, it was very nicely taped and I wouldn't suspect that it has been opened before.

However, the model number on the turbo is 452760-5015 instead of the ones that's on garrett's website.

Then a following conversation took place:"how come the model number don't match?""well, it is a gt2871""you live around here?""yeah, 10 min away""can I go to your house really fast? I want to look up the model number""you're not going to find it on their website because it;s from japan and it's a special model that's made for sr20det bolt on""well, I would be at least satisfied if I don't see the model number on their website""well, I am not in a hurry to sell, you can get back to me if you want..."

keep in mind that I been emailing this guy and he never revealed the model number up until now.

I wish I bought my camera but I didn't, but basically the turbine side is about 3" wide and has 2 bolts for a t25 flange that connects to the hot pipe, while rick from optionimport told me that gt2871 is a disc potato and doesn't have flange holes. On the exhaust side there is a divider and no wastegate acuator is present. The turbine side looks bigger than the compressor side.

One last thing I noticed is that the oil return line hole has oil in it. One of another hole, one of the bigger ones in the center also has some small amount of oil. Now I don't know if this normal, maybe garrett ship new turbo with small amount of oil in there but despite the fact that the turbo looks brand new, the color of the metal is bright indicating it's infancy rather than aged, there seems to be a small amount of movement in the shaft, it will go in and out a little. Though, I been told this is normal for a ball bearing turbo since the bearing floats or something.

Anyways, I didn't buy it, I'm afraid

[1WheelWonder]

I wouldn't have bought it either. How much was he wanting for it.

[Fenvy]

950 cash

[1WheelWonder]

I would steer clear of him, you can get a new one for about $200 dollars more.

[Fenvy]

does http://www.thespeedfactor.com still have that 975 deal?

[spanishricer]

Or you can get it from Full-Race for $1049

[spider_slayer]

huh, pahse2motortrend has then for around 1050 as well....new in the box. thats the route i'd go. jsut cause its brand new doesn't mean that it was well cared for becasue i'm kinda willing to bet its been used before

[Fenvy]

so, can anyone tell me what turbo was that guy trying to sell?

[st33f]

um i have one... wanna see pics? Its a T04E comp with a T2 exhaust. it looks very similar to a Disco potato.. different center tho i think...

I THINK - it was a GT28R or a T28

[Fenvy]

I figured it'd be something like that....

so what he tried to sell me was used and only worth about 700ish if it was brand new?

[Henry G]

Ask him to send you a digicam pic.

[Jookmasta]

i second henry g's comment................