Merkur T3 Turbo?

[wheelman]

I've tried to search but the search engine on this site sucks so if this has been asked before please forgive me.

I have the opportunity to purchase a Garrett T3 turbo that comes from a Merkur. It has a .63 A/R exhaust housing and a .60 A/R compressor housing, not sure of the trim on the wheels. The center section is oil and water cooled.It will probably need to be rebuilt as the center section has wood shavings in it and the wheels turn but are pretty stiff. The wheels are in good shape with no knicks but most of the assembly bolts are missing.

So if I can get this thing for $25.00 to $50.00 do you guys think that would be a good deal?

Is this a good trubo setup for building a KA-T? The main use for my car is as a DD and backup auto-x car. I figure a little lag won't bother me to much as the KA has very good low end torque and if I can stay out of boost I'll get better gas mileage.

[WDRacing]

Thats a pretty small turbo, so there shouldn't be any lag to speak of. I'd pay 25 for it then get a rebuild kit for around 80. The bolts etc can be purchased at Ace. So for around $130ish you could have a decent turbo.

A friend of mine had a Merkur back in the day, wicked ugly car, but pretty fun to beat on.

WD

[wheelman]

Thanks WD.

I guess I was thinking it might actually be a little bigger than I wanted with the .63 A/R exhaust housing but I don't have much experience with turbos yet so I'll go with what you say.

I have another question.I've read the posts discussing bottom vs. top mount headers. I thought I saw it mentioned somewhere that using a bottom mount requires the A/C to be removed, is this true?

I'm sure I'll have many more questions as I build this car but I'll make sure to attempt to search first.

[WDRacing]

Well, the only cheap bottom mount is the SSAC chinese one and it's for a T2 flanged turbo. You have the T3 flange, so your options are basically top mount only.

[motoman399]

were can you get a quality rebuild kit. i just bought one off of ebay and it didnt seem top notch. i pretty much only used the bearings out of it. i didnt even use the thrust bearing.

[WDRacing]

I'm on my laptop so it doesn't have my comprehensive favorites list. When I make it back to the office I'll post up a couple reliable places I've personally used.

One of the things to look at is price. If it's cheap, it's crap. Garret, BW and Mitsu will only mark down their kits by so much. So if it's cheap, then it's Chinese. The major problem with Chinese is the bushing material and the piston ring seal on the aft section. The Bushings are made from soft material that doesn't handle load very well and the aft seal simply leaks oil.

One thing to remember though, if you are comfortable swapping the internals of a turbo, then you can get away with buying a cheap Chinese turbo and just take it apart before you even install it. Swap the parts out and you'll have a semi decent turbo for a really cheap price.

WD

[motoman399]

ya i didnt even use the seals cause they seemed cheep. i was pretty sure it was a Chinese rebuild kit just for a turbonetics. but i didnt think the bushings would be a different material. my turbo wasnt in bad condition had minimal shaft play and no in and out shaft play. just wanted it fresh for my ka-t. and ya im comfortable taking apart turbos. maybe ill kick down and get a real rebuild kit. thanks

[SX APPEAL]

Waiting for the list...

I was just looking for rebuild kits a few minutes ago, found this site:

http://www.gpopshop.com

they seem legit

[WDRacing]

Waiting for the list...

I was just looking for rebuild kits a few minutes ago, found this site:

http://www.gpopshop.com

they seem legit

That's actually right in my faves...lol. Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you. I have ADD, I drink to much and I am addicted to p0rn...hence my title.

Use the Garret kits for Chinese Ebay turbo's.

WD

[hannibal]

IIRC, the Merkur turbo is similar to the Z31 T3. Same 60 trim compressor wheel and same housing. The Z31 turbo has a stg 1 exhaust wheel in a weird 7 bolt housing. Not sure what wheel is in the Merkur.

I base this on stuff I read years ago and that the Merkur uses Ford's 2.3L engine. Didnt Ford build the XR4Ti?? In that case it should have a normal 5 bolt outlet.