Researching new turbo options

[Tyler]

hey guys, now that the drift season in WA is over. im looking to make some changes to my setup for 2010. the reason being is that ever since my kat was tuned, i wasnt happy with the results because i feel like its not making as much hp as it should.

i have the ams rebuild kit, and in addition to that i had the block bored .020 over, o-ringed block, and everything was professionally balanced. i also have the JGS starter kit with the turbonetics t3/t4 .63 turbo that used to be included in the kit. for fuel i have 740cc injectors, fpr, walbro, and its professionally dyno tuned with nistune. im also running 104 octane unleaded racegas.

me and my dad put this setup together looking to make at least 425rwhp at whatever boost level because we overbuilt it on purpose, JGS website says that 450rwhp is possible so we didnt think our estimate was bad at all.

now heres the thing, it only made 314whp at 17psi. the person who tuned it is a very respected tuner and i trusted what he told me, at first, but i cant help but think there is more there. he said it started choking the turbo at 17psi, and when he turned it up to 19 there was only a 10hp increase so he said it was just blowing hot air at that point and not being efficient, so he kept it at 17.

it worked well for this drift season, but im looking to upgrade for next year. i want to make at least an honest 400whp, and id like to spool quicker as well. i know good s***s expensive and i do not have any issues spending good money on good parts, if thats what it takes.

i have been looking at the gt3076r and have heard some good things about it, but there is also alot of talk about the borg warner stuff now. also, i feel like this journal bearing turbonetics spools too slow, i need something thats going to pick it up quicker because some of the tracks i do have tight sections.

anyways, sorry for the wall of text but any help would be great. i have a basic knowledge of turbos and stuff, but some of you guys are experts so i figured it be best to ask here. if you need to know anything else about my setup let me know. -Tyler

[WDRacing]

I didn't read the entire post, but I can say that your turbo supports 420 to the wheels at just 20 psi on a decent tune. I plan on making 350 by 12 psi myself...

Something is either broken or the tune is bad. Seriously....

When I have more time I'll reread this and come up with some things to check etc. Quick list would be plugs, wires, compression, fuel pressure and bad vacuum leaks.

WD

[Tyler]

thanks WD, i was hoping youd see this.

all my plugs and wires are new. and its got good compression. also i built a boost leak tester so i know that it dosent have any bad leaks or anything like that. im starting to think its the tune, im close to just hauling it to another reputable shop and having them retune it to see what, if any, it picks up.

[WDRacing]

Do you have a wide band? I'd like to know the AFR's are good. Sounds like you could have way to much ignition retard.

WD

[Tyler]

yeah i have a wideband. im right about 11.8 at wot

[WDRacing]

Has to be a ton of timing retard...something. I don't trust anyone that says the best matched turbo for a KA is inefficient. The .63 Ar exhaust housing is certainly not choking the motor after 17psi. Thats more a T2 flange thing...

[Tyler]

thats what i was thinking too kinda, because i have read a whole bunch of stuff on here and the .org and everyone says the t3/t4 .63 should flow into the low 400's. i have read that turbonectics isnt that well received though too so thats why i was thinking it was possibly the turbo, im just super confused and i wanna get the power i paid for!

[TheOne]

when did this whole turbonetics is made in china start? as far as i know turbonetics has always been made in the US of A.

now yes people have slapped turbonetics turbine housings and what not to ebay specials, but that doesn't mean that the actual turbonetics co make'em in china, as far as i know they're good quality products, haven't really seen much evidence, unless somebody shows a link or something.

but yeah something is not coming into the equation, a dyno graph should show somewhat where timing is, if you happen to have 1.

[Tyler]

i dont have a dyno graph, i might possible be able to email the tuner, but i dont know how long he keeps stuff like that for

[Tyler]

i emailed the tuner and asked for a dyno graph, so hopefully he can send it to me and ill post it up.

[WDRacing]

That will only help a little without knowing where the timing is. It'll show rich/lean etc. Have you checked your base timing? It almost sounds like your at 15*

[Tyler]

i actually havent checked the base timing, but i assume the tuner would have before he started beating on it while it was on the dyno, but i guess it never hurts to check..

[Tyler]

tuner hasnt gotten back to me yet... any other ideas guys? i dont wanna spend un-needed money if i dont have to, but if thats what it takes i dont have a problem with it.

[WDRacing]

Check the timing.