Ball bearing turbo ?

[ka-t 300]

I have a garret journal bearing turbo. i'm consdering upgrading to a ball bearing turbo. i have heard that a garret ball bearing turbo will spool up 500 rpm quicker. is this true ? is it worth all the xtra money?

[gingerbredman]

I'm not to sharp on specs of everything, but I've heard great stuff about Holset turbos, regarding spool, quality, durability.

[WDRacing]

BB turbo's generally last longer and spool quicker. But not worth the $$$ IMO.

[ka-t 300]

well if it last twice as long it would be worth it plus your car would be quicker of the line. so i guess im trying to figuire how much faster it spools than regular journal bearing and are you guys hanging with the journal bearing turbos or upgrading to the ball bearings ?

[WDRacing]

They don't have double the life, they just last longer. Then again a properly lubricated journal bearing turbo will last a very long time.

I can find properly sized journal type turbo's that will support 350whp starting at $450. Most T3 flanged BB turbo's are around $1100. That's $650 for a few hundred rpm of spool. I'd rather spend that $650 on things like...

1: The best variable alcohol injection system on the market.2: New MAF, injectors and fuel rail combo with change left over for a good case of beer.3: Custom ROM tune with 3-4 retunes to get it just right.

Etc etc...lol.

Just my .02 though

[ka-t 300]

They don't have double the life, they just last longer. Then again a properly lubricated journal bearing turbo will last a very long time.

I can find properly sized journal type turbo's that will support 350whp starting at $450. Most T3 flanged BB turbo's are around $1100. That's $650 for a few hundred rpm of spool. I'd rather spend that $650 on things like...

1: The best variable alcohol injection system on the market.2: New MAF, injectors and fuel rail combo with change left over for a good case of beer.3: Custom ROM tune with 3-4 retunes to get it just right.

Etc etc...lol.

Just my .02 though

lol well i was thinking maby a set of camshafts ? im looking to make 400-450 whp. i have built motor. i have a garret t3/t04e 57trim stage 3 wheel .63 ar on the turbine. it lasted 20,000 miles it is rubbing on the compressor housing about a 1/16" shaft play but no in and out play. any way i thought i would just relplace it. are there anty other garret journal bearing turbo that would support 400-450 whp that would spool faster than this one ? I already have 740 cc injectors lol. , and a rom tune lol. , and a 300zx maf . i could use a retune though for for my new 9:1 compression ratio. I'm mainly trying to see if there is a journal bearing turbo that would support 400-450 whp. that can spool a little quicker than what i have. any ideas

[WDRacing]

Big difference between 400 and 450. The .48 ar with a 38mm external will make 400 before it becomes to restrictive. So you could just use a similar turbo, although I would suggest a 50 trim.

You could always sack up and go twin scroll

[ka-t 300]

Big difference between 400 and 450. The .48 ar with a 38mm external will make 400 before it becomes to restrictive. So you could just use a similar turbo, although I would suggest a 50 trim.

You could always sack up and go twin scroll

yes I have a tial 38mm waste gate. i like the idea of twin scroll but i think i would have to change the flange on my manifold. i really dont want to have to change my set up (down pipe, manifold, hotpipe ect.) so i like i like your idea of a simular turbo so it will bolt up, just not sure what to change such as ar. and trims as this turbo was picked out for me. i see your recomendation for 400 whp , what would you recomend for 450 whp set up ? the same turbo i have now lol ? ( .63 ar / 57 trim ) why do you recomend the 50 trim ?

[WDRacing]

The 50 trim has a better efficiency window for the KA then the 57. Not a HUGE difference, but still a difference. I'm 90% sure all you'd have to do is swap out your .63 exhaust housing for a .48. Find out how much it is to have that turbo rebuilt by someone that actually balances it. That's very important for long life. Upgrade the aft turbine seal to a total-seal type and make sure they use a 360 Thrust Chingus. If the price is cheaper then go with the rebuild. When pricing new turbo's make sure you have the upgraded parts installed. I'm sure there are more things now then I can think of, I'll have a someone with more info jump in here and fill in the blanks.

In short, price out a T3/TO4E with a 50 trim compressor wheel, .48AR exhaust housing with a stg 3 wheel and make sure you get all of the internals upgraded that can be. Make sure about the aft turbine seal. The total seal type ring works WAY better for oil retention. So you won't end up with smoke puffing out your tailpipe every time you romp on her.

The .48AR will support close to 450, but it's going to start being restrictive at about 400. Similar to the guys that use a GT28R or something on the KA. Great turbo, and you can make 300whp with one but they are actually restricting airflow once the the motor is moving enough air to make 250.

For 450 the turbo you have right now but with a 50 trim compressor wheel would be my choice if I was buying new. So, 400 for the .48, 450 for the .63 assuming 38mm of wastegate assistance. If you can use a 50mm wastegate the .48AR would get you close to 450. To make either HP number with either of those turbo's you're going to be running in the mid 20's for boost So think about alcohol injection. You'll make more power with less boost but still have the ability to really crank the wick up if you want to.

Sorry about rambling...I haven't had enough coffee yet to focus

WD

[ka-t 300]

The 50 trim has a better efficiency window for the KA then the 57. Not a HUGE difference, but still a difference. I'm 90% sure all you'd have to do is swap out your .63 exhaust housing for a .48. Find out how much it is to have that turbo rebuilt by someone that actually balances it. That's very important for long life. Upgrade the aft turbine seal to a total-seal type and make sure they use a 360 Thrust Chingus. If the price is cheaper then go with the rebuild. When pricing new turbo's make sure you have the upgraded parts installed. I'm sure there are more things now then I can think of, I'll have a someone with more info jump in here and fill in the blanks.

In short, price out a T3/TO4E with a 50 trim compressor wheel, .48AR exhaust housing with a stg 3 wheel and make sure you get all of the internals upgraded that can be. Make sure about the aft turbine seal. The total seal type ring works WAY better for oil retention. So you won't end up with smoke puffing out your tailpipe every time you romp on her.

The .48AR will support close to 450, but it's going to start being restrictive at about 400. Similar to the guys that use a GT28R or something on the KA. Great turbo, and you can make 300whp with one but they are actually restricting airflow once the the motor is moving enough air to make 250.

For 450 the turbo you have right now but with a 50 trim compressor wheel would be my choice if I was buying new. So, 400 for the .48, 450 for the .63 assuming 38mm of wastegate assistance. If you can use a 50mm wastegate the .48AR would get you close to 450. To make either HP number with either of those turbo's you're going to be running in the mid 20's for boost So think about alcohol injection. You'll make more power with less boost but still have the ability to really crank the wick up if you want to.

Sorry about rambling...I haven't had enough coffee yet to focus

WD

thanks for the info, this is helpfull what would you think of a .48 ar / 57 trim. would that be = to .63 / 50 trim ar for 450 whp but flow a little better with still a little better spool time than what i have now ? i just ask cause it is a turbo available it seems like a trade off but could flow a little easier at the 450 whp level than the one i have now.

so these are the 3 i'm considering :

1 .48 ar / 50 trim

2 .63 ar / 50 trim

3 .48 ar / 57 trim

I know #1 would be great for 400 whp level just tryin to see if #2 or #3 is best suited for the 450 whp with the quickest spool and best flow on the turbine side .

[WDRacing]

Well the compressor wheels and housing on all 3 are pretty close to the same. The only real difference will be the .48 AR or the .63. One will spool 700-800 rpm faster then other. But the .63 will flow enough to make 450 alot easier then the .48.

I'd go with the .63...in fact I had your #2 choice installed on my S14. It was great IMO, but I don't mind a little bit of lag. My current turbo is a T4 with a .81 AR If you think your car has lag, attend the Omaha meet next year and I'll let you drive a car with actual lag...lol.

[ka-t 300]

Well the compressor wheels and housing on all 3 are pretty close to the same. The only real difference will be the .48 AR or the .63. One will spool 700-800 rpm faster then other. But the .63 will flow enough to make 450 alot easier then the .48.

I'd go with the .63...in fact I had your #2 choice installed on my S14. It was great IMO, but I don't mind a little bit of lag. My current turbo is a T4 with a .81 AR If you think your car has lag, attend the Omaha meet next year and I'll let you drive a car with actual lag...lol.

lol dang you must not hit full boost till 4500 rpm. well i appreciate all the info. i'll think about all this for a while. i need to get this car up and going, so i'll probably order it some time next week.

[ka-t 300]

I went with #3 .48 ar 57 trim it will be a couple of weeks but i will let you guys know how it works out. i figuire 400 whp is plenty since i dont want to mess with water injection or what ever yet. just need a great street car for now.

[WDRacing]

I think you'll be very happy with it.

[ka-t 300]

I think you'll be very happy with it.

as stated with my lean issue post below this one ( new motor lean issue ) turbo is installed and boosting 18 psi. .48 ar 57 trim . i should be around 300 - 325 whp ? how much boost would be 400 whp on this turbo ? your right wd im very happy with this turbo !!!! spools faster and not such a hard hit at full boost.

[scotttak]

i think 18 psi should be more than 300-325 whp.

[ka-t 300]

i think 18 psi should be more than 300-325 whp.

350 -375 ?

[WDRacing]

20 psi should put you in the 400's if the tune is half decent.