To rebuild, or not to rebuild: that is the question:

[Chris28]

Whether 'tis more economical to rebuildThe quick spooling fun of a t28,Or to give up amidst a screen of smoke,And by buying a new turbo end it?

If you understood that congratulations, you're fluent in your Shakespeare. For those of you who aren't, I'll word it in Engrish.

My eBay t28 has become a chain smoker. Whenever I get into boost, it's like a chimney. Some even call me James Bond due to my car's ability to disappear. I'm planning a bottom mount t3 build utilizing the ssac manifold, but that's a lot of custom work. I was going to use a Holset HY35, but they are pretty hard to find and I would have to modify the wastegate to keep it internally gated. My other turbo option is a Garrett Super 60, but the cheapest I found them is $425 whereas the Holset is only $250 and capable of higher boost. Not to mention if I got a bigger turbo I'd get bigger injectors, a new MAFS, and of course a new tune, which would be another ~500 dollars on top of the turbo cost.

On the other hand, I'm pretty content with the power I make with my t28. It spools fast and can get me sideways. I already have a tune for 370cc injectors and stock MAF, and all my piping fits perfectly. I've been thinking about rebuilding it with a Garrett rebuild kit, but since it's an eBay turbo I'm not sure whether or not it's worth it. Has anyone ever rebuilt an eBay turbo? Is it worth it?

As I'm typing this out I realize if I go the bottom mount Super 60 route I'll be able to re-use my inlet piping as well as outlet/downpipe since the t28 and Super 60 both use the Garrett 5 bolt outlet flange, so that would be easy. The Super 60 is internally gated, another plus for it. You know, I'll probably end up doing that setup, the only downside is it's price, but I think it's going to be worth it. I can just ride out this blown t28 while I amass parts for the t3 setup, mainly injectors and the z32 MAFS. Christmas is right around the bend, I'll get some cash to fund this upgrade.

I guess thanks for reading? If you have any input on rebuilding a t28 please comment, I'm wondering if it's worth it. Also if you have anything to say about the HY35 vs the Super 60, please comment on that as well. The specs of the Super 60 are like 48 A/R and .60 intake, and the HY35 has a 65 A/R exhaust and an unknown intake size.
Modified by Chris28 at 3:00 PM 12/9/2009

[neverlift]

use a garrett rebuild kit on the ebay turbo, get it rebalanced and go to boosting it again, it will be the cheapest.Hell buy another ebay turbo? how long did this one last?

[Chris28]

This one lasted 1 track day, but I don't think I was running a restrictor. I would have this one balanced and rebuilt, but for the price of that I might as well upgrade.

I'm looking for the Super 60 I found a while ago but I can't find it. It was perfectly sized, 60AR compressor housing, 48AR turbine housing, and a super 60 trim compressor wheel, and internally gated for $425. Now I can't even find the website that had it for sale.

WD mentioned that he sees them all the time but I can't find them anywhere. If anyone knows where I could find one for <500 bucks I'd greatly appreciate it.

[neverlift]

If you are very carefull you can rebuild the t28 yourself, just index everything good.

[Chris28]

That's what I was thinking of doing. I found this write up: http://www.driftworks.com/foru....html , I might use that if I decide to rebuild it.

In different news, I found a few Super 60's that Ford used on the SVO mustangs that can be adapted to run an internal wastegate, I'll probably go ahead and pick one up.

[neverlift]

lol I found a turbo coupe the other day at the jy and the t3 on it was tiny, in comparison to my already small t3, not sure what the deal was. I was all happy I was getting a larger turbo for cheap as hell.

also is it the exhaust side leaking or both sides? I'd try taking it apart see if its the hot side, if it is a cheap temp solution could be a staggered gap piston seal.

[Chris28]

Haha are they really that small? The specs are pretty good and WD said they are good for a little over 300whp, so that's fine with me!

And yes it's just the hot side. What's a staggered gap piston seal? I'm intrigued, I might get a little more life out of this turbo than I thought haha.

EDIT: I googled it, I'm going to look into it more. It sounds like we have a winner.

If I'm understanding this correctly after reading that turbo rebuild write-up...I won't have to take the chra apart, just take the compressor wheel off so I can slide the turbine wheel and rod out, then just replace the piston seal?

If so, then sweeeeeeeet!

[silverkaturbo]

I would say yes, definately go bigger or go home. If you go through all the work of pullin all that s*** out, rebuilding, and putting back together, you might as well upgrade while youre at it if you have the cash. At least thats what I wish I would have done when i was in a similar situation to you. When I blew my t25 i was on the fence of goin the easier/cheaper upgrade to my current t28 or spending a couple hundred more welding a t3 flange on my bottom mount mani. Yea the t28 is still an upgrade and tons more fun than the t25, but after a few months i want more again. But first I need to figure out my fun little problem of my check engine light randomly coming on every couple hundred miles just to give me a 55 all clear code while im still misfiring due to a suddenly constant super rich condition. Not cool

[Chris28]

Yeah, I think for a temporary fix I'll install a staggered gap piston seal. Later on down the road I'll upgrade to the super 60 setup.

I know what you mean about the wanting to go bigger. Right after I boosted it I thought it was the fastest thing ever, now I think it's slow again haha.

[Razi]

Since you're already setup for T28, I'd just buy a new T28 or rebuild your current one with a rebuild kit.

[silverkaturbo]

Yea the need for more boost seems to be a b**** that you can never please haha.

[Chris28]

Since you're already setup for T28, I'd just buy a new T28 or rebuild your current one with a rebuild kit.

I would do this, but I know I'm going to want more power haha. When I make 300 hp I'll be a happy camper, and I know it's not going to happen with the T28. I'll replace the piston seal and ride it out, but in the mean time I'll piece together the t3 setup. I can still use the same turbo inlet, oil lines, and ic piping setup with the super 60, it's just a matter of welding a t3 flange onto the manifold and replacing the garrett 5 bolt flange with a v-band one on my downpipe.

[Razi]

Haha the boost bug is a dangerous addiction.

[neverlift]

all this talk of making a t2 mani work sounds good, but the one guy that did it IIRC said it was a huge pain in the a**. I know one thing is for certain, you cannot use a top mount mani upside down. I was going to bottom mount my little t3 lol. The flange will flip just fine, but it will not give you room to mount the turbo. Top mount is much easier to work on....

I had a smoking issue that made me purchase a 360* seal, turned out I am a dumbass when I rush, and I had my vc breather to charge pipe



also I noticed you said it may have had no restrictor? Get one if its cheaper to replace(I'm sure it is) than the 360 seal

[Chris28]

I put the restrictor in right after I realized I didn't have it, it still smokes. I'm going to try the no gap piston deal and see if that works, it's like 20 bucks and I don't really have to take apart the chra. I know if I tried to replace the thrust bearing I'd put it back together wrong, and I still need to drive with this turbo for a while haha.

I'm going to try the bottom mount t3, the super 60 should be small enough to fit under there. If it turns out it doesn't fit at all I'll just flip my manifold and go from there.

[Chris28]

Ok final update...I think.

I might be staying t2. The way I see it, $400 for a super 60, $100 for a wastegate assembly, ~$40 for flanges, ~$50 for oil line/return fittings, and ~$100 for fab work isn't worth it. That's like $700 right there, and I don't even have larger injectors or a new tune.

I found someone selling an amazing gti-r t28, basically a t2/t3 hybrid. Here are the specs:

TB2804GT28 Turbine wheel10 blade high flow turbine wheelstep gap turbine race wheel.49 A/R exhaust housing, profiled for GT28 turbine wheelwide set radial bearingspolished and mani port matched exhaust housing - comes with extra .64 A/R housing as well360* thrust washerGT28 compressor wheelGT28 high flow compressor cover and adapter ring for .60 A/R housingcustom adjustable waste gate preloaded for 9lbs boost

Good for over 300 hp and spools super quick. Since it's journal bearing I don't have to worry about water cooling and it can be rebuilt. It's well under the cost of the t3 project and there will be absolutely no fab work necessary. I can just keep the boost down until later when I get larger injectors and such. It supposedly maxes out at like 18-19 psi, more than enough for me.

Thoughts, comments?
Modified by Chris28 at 11:31 PM 12/10/2009

[Razi]

Awesome.Fast spool is a good thing.

[silverkaturbo]

Yea bottom mount is definitely a pita when it comes to hooking everything up. But as shallow or meaningless as it may sound, I love the clean, stock looks of bottom mount setups sooo much more than the tacky, in your face, top mounts. But thats just me...

Just curious, what's the price on that gtir t28 your lookin at? So all the flanges and compressor inlet and outlet bolt patterns are the same as your current 28? I've heard they dont get much bigger than those as far as t2 flangers go so I'd jump on it.

Back when i was lookin for my new turbo I remember drooling over a gtir 28 in the classifieds, but couldn't get a response back from the seller for the life of me, which led me to what seemed to be the next best option of the s14 t28 I have now. ~19 psi potential out of that bad boy would have been sweet compared to my now ceramic wheel limited ~14. But for $220 and immaculate condition I felt I couldn't pass it up.
Modified by silverkaturbo at 10:11 PM 12/11/2009

[Chris28]

The guy hasn't responded yet but he's asking 600 for it. I know it's steep for a t2, but it's much cheaper than to convert to top or bottom mount t3. With my power goals only being around 300 I think this will be the perfect turbo.

[silverkaturbo]

I guess that sounds about right cuz the one I was lookin at they were askin like 300, plus it was suggested that it be rebuilt; and this one was stock, no custom goodies like you have listed. But good luck bro, hope it all works out for ya.

[trackslut240]

.i am gonna bring this one up, now i bought a gtir t28 with a s14 (turbine or compressor, not sure on that, will have to reread). i was in the same state of what to do. i said what the hell and got it, havent put it on but that will have to wait till we first fix my buddies 1988 celica all trac.. and its cold and snowy here anyway to drive my rearend misaligned kat.

what did u end up with chris28? according to the fellow niconaut, i am lookin upper 200s. which will anyday be better than the measly 8 psi from a t25. just pushing the t25 to 10~11 psi makes it that much more fun. a 12psi from a t28...oh boy... ...

[silverkaturbo]

Gosh I sometimes forget that I havent even tried upping the boost on mine. And now that I have gotten somewhat bored with the 8 psi from the t28 maybe i should go ahead and bump er up to 11 just for kicks. Although I'm still a kinda hesitant. A whopping 210k miles on stock motor (sans fresh valve seals haha) still makes me cringe a little pushing even 8psi at wot pulls; still just kinda waitin for somethin to go pop i guess .

[WDRacing]

Ok final update...I think.

I might be staying t2. The way I see it, $400 for a super 60, $100 for a wastegate assembly, ~$40 for flanges, ~$50 for oil line/return fittings, and ~$100 for fab work isn't worth it. That's like $700 right there, and I don't even have larger injectors or a new tune.

I found someone selling an amazing gti-r t28, basically a t2/t3 hybrid. Here are the specs:

TB2804GT28 Turbine wheel10 blade high flow turbine wheelstep gap turbine race wheel.49 A/R exhaust housing, profiled for GT28 turbine wheelwide set radial bearingspolished and mani port matched exhaust housing - comes with extra .64 A/R housing as well360* thrust washerGT28 compressor wheelGT28 high flow compressor cover and adapter ring for .60 A/R housingcustom adjustable waste gate preloaded for 9lbs boost

Good for over 300 hp and spools super quick. Since it's journal bearing I don't have to worry about water cooling and it can be rebuilt. It's well under the cost of the t3 project and there will be absolutely no fab work necessary. I can just keep the boost down until later when I get larger injectors and such. It supposedly maxes out at like 18-19 psi, more than enough for me.

Thoughts, comments?

Modified by Chris28 at 11:31 PM 12/10/2009

I hunt around for turbo's and what not all the time. If you spend $600 on a used OLD GTiR turbo you should have your head examined. Whats wrong with a used T3 from the JY? It will flow more then your T28 and only run a few hundred bucks. If you want to upgrade it's not going to be free man. Thats why you don't buy a cheap POS T2 Ebay kit from the very start. In the end you get less bang for your buck and you WILL end up starting all over.

I wasn't going to reply at all because I figured you'd just stay with the T2 regardless of what I had to say and I get kinda tired of preaching. Ebay turbo's suck, T2's are to small

WD

[WDRacing]

CT26 is a sweet turbo IMO

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ories

[silverkaturbo]

CT26 is a sweet turbo IMO

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ories

But is that an actual good quality part, or just another chinese knockoff with supra flanges? And just curious, how do you think it compares to the average t3/t4 .50 trim, performance wise? Prob very similar?

[Chris28]

Lol I thought this thread was dead.

WD don't worry, I will upgrade to t3...at some point. Right now it's not the responsible thing to do, I can't justify spending the cash to convert it to top mount the correct way. I still (daily) drive this car so I had to work with what I had in order to get me back to school. Hopefully one day my setup will please you

I got the t28 from a GTi-R. Quite a bit bigger than the t25/t28 I was running. That one was advertised as a t28, but it's an exact clone of my t25. Thanks ebay! I'm at like 6 psi of boost because I had to finagle the wastegate actuator and I left my boost controller at home. Once I fix my exhaust leak and make sure it's the reason my afr's are reading lean I'll slap on my friend's mbc and turn it up to like 10 or 12 psi on the dyno. A friend of mine has an mkIII supra and I'm pretty sure he runs the ct26 haha. It is indeed a good turbo, maybe I'll go that route some day.

Here are pictures of how I got my wastegate actuator hooked up. I had to use the bracket and actuator from the ebay turbo. It works, but since the arm is at an angle the wastegate is always a little bit open resulting in lower boost levels. The boost controller should fix that though



And a size comparison:



And my oil return setup: