From B8 to B6T - My New Build!

[TWFodor]

Well, I've checked out a few places and it looks like it will be around $400 to have the turbo rebuilt. Yeahhhh...no thanks. For that much I could get a much better set up than an outdated vj14. For now I may check my local yard because they have 3 XR2s. Maybe one of them will have a decent turbo.

However, after scanning ebay, there are adapter plates made for capri manifolds that adapt to T3 and T25 turbos. Has anyone had any experience with these? I imagine getting the coolant and oil lines routed on a new turbo would be a pain.

[Advancedynamix]

I think there are tutorials online for rebuilding the vj14. You can buy the rebuild kit off ebay pretty cheap. You'll want to have the shaft torqued and the assembly balanced by a shop with the right equipment to do that, but you can install the parts yourself.
AZGTX has rebuilt a bunch of them like this. He may be able to help you with some advice or he may have a rebuilt one on the shelf.

[TWFodor]

I think there are tutorials online for rebuilding the vj14. You can buy the rebuild kit off ebay pretty cheap. You'll want to have the shaft torqued and the assembly balanced by a shop with the right equipment to do that, but you can install the parts yourself.
AZGTX has rebuilt a bunch of them like this. He may be able to help you with some advice or he may have a rebuilt one on the shelf.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IHI-RHB5-RHB51-RHB52-on-MAZDA-ISUZU-4JG2T-FIAT-SHIBAURA-Turbo-Rebuild-Repair-Kit-/282499973162?hash=item41c64f802a:m:mF8iK67JFAGSDarJVgwOTAg&vxp=mtr

Is this what you're talking about? If so, that IS pretty cheap!

[Advancedynamix]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IHI-RHB5-RHB...gwOTAg&vxp=mtr

Is this what you're talking about? If so, that IS pretty cheap!

Yeah, that's it. There isn't much to a turbo. There are some spots you'll need to inspect before rebuilding it. Clay knows more about that, I just know he has to toss some of the center sections because they can't be rebuilt.

[ryanprins13]

Well, I've checked out a few places and it looks like it will be around $400 to have the turbo rebuilt. Yeahhhh...no thanks. .

I would have thought that was expensive too until my dad had to pay $15,000 to have 2 turbos replaced on his truck. What a ripoff.
But like it was said below, there isnt much to a turbo.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[TWFodor]

So when I go to rebuild the turbo, should I port the wastegate a bit while I'm in there? How much is enough? Is it needed at all?

[Advancedynamix]

Can't hurt. There is a how to on that on Club Protégé iirc.

[azgtx]

It all comes down to what you expect to get out of the turbo. Swapping on another used turbo and waiting for it to blow and do it again has never excited me. So when it was needed, 300-400 for a rebuild is cheap and well worth it for me to do the job once and worry free. Yup it can't hurt, give the rebuild a whack and let us know how it turns out, we all learn by doing. Remember the balance will be the key to longevity if everything else is ok with the bearing. These things easily spin at 10k. Check the turbine shaft and the ring land for rounding( this is critical), thrust plate and collar, wheels for knicks and bends and the bearing housing on the hot side ring seat. These will all tell the condition and let you know if the rebuild is worth it. The cleaning is a big one as well. I would be wary of the cheap China knock off kits though. Good IHI kits at the shop can be around 150, The balance can be 100 so now the 400 gets real when you get back a nice clean unit with a warranty ready to go that bolts up. You say heck with the 400 and go to another turbo but now you have fitment issues with the exhaust and piping and whatnot ...gonna be well over that 400. Also, for me there was no sense in doing a straight VJ14, always did a hybrid.... VJ11, Tbird, VF10 or VF11. Over the years we/I have found some awesome turbos at the wreckers so they are out there but getting scarce for sure by now but many are good only for parts.

[TWFodor]

It all comes down to what you expect to get out of the turbo. Swapping on another used turbo and waiting for it to blow and do it again has never excited me. So when it was needed, 300-400 for a rebuild is cheap and well worth it for me to do the job once and worry free. Yup it can't hurt, give the rebuild a whack and let us know how it turns out, we all learn by doing. Remember the balance will be the key to longevity if everything else is ok with the bearing. These things easily spin at 10k. Check the turbine shaft and the ring land for rounding( this is critical), thrust plate and collar, wheels for knicks and bends and the bearing housing on the hot side ring seat. These will all tell the condition and let you know if the rebuild is worth it. The cleaning is a big one as well. I would be wary of the cheap China knock off kits though. Good IHI kits at the shop can be around 150, The balance can be 100 so now the 400 gets real when you get back a nice clean unit with a warranty ready to go that bolts up. You say heck with the 400 and go to another turbo but now you have fitment issues with the exhaust and piping and whatnot ...gonna be well over that 400. Also, for me there was no sense in doing a straight VJ14, always did a hybrid.... VJ11, Tbird, VF10 or VF11. Over the years we/I have found some awesome turbos at the wreckers so they are out there but getting scarce for sure by now but many are good only for parts.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I ordered the cheaper kit yesterday, so we'll see how it turns out. Having to buy that second engine and everything to rebuild it really damaged the budget. Down the road when budget allows, I can pay to have one professionally rebuilt.

[TWFodor]

I may dissect my turbo tonight, but I have a feeling it will be trashed. There was a LOT of play in the shaft and I believe the wheel has touched the housing. The turbo doesn't sound healthy, that's for sure. I won't know for sure until I look at it, but my local yard has 2 XR2s, and they quoted me $50 for a turbo. I'll probably grab both so I can have a spare, depending on how they look and how long it takes me to pull the first one. I may need to come back to get the other one.

[Advancedynamix]

Grab up those b6t swaps while you can. That's a killer engine and trans combo and that yard seems to sell stuff cheap. There are more Festivas out there that need a b6t swap.

[azgtx]

Listen to him....soon the catch phrase will be " and then there were none".... for cheap that is!

[TWFodor]

Grab up those b6t swaps while you can. That's a killer engine and trans combo and that yard seems to sell stuff cheap. There are more Festivas out there that need a b6t swap.

It can be hit or miss with their prices, but I lucked out with a turbo for $50. They don't have an official price sheet so sometimes you have to haggle with them. Some of the employees are unpleasant to deal with. Normally the owner of the place is reasonable, though, at least in my experience.

[TWFodor]

Well, I installed the "new" junkyard turbo. It had very minimal shaft play (very slight radial and no axial) and seemed like it was in good shape, so I couldn't pass it up for $50. If I remember correctly the car had about 110k miles. I was able to salvage the factory oil drain tube as well, so I can get rid of the weepy hose I had before. The turbo was a pain to pull though, as the yard just lays the cars on the ground. 3 hours on Saturday and another hour on Monday. Took me less time than that to swap the turbos on the Festiva!

Here's a picture of the compressor wheel of the old turbo. Nasty. I'm glad I removed it.

[TWFodor]

Charlie, do you think one of these separators will work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/96-99-BMW-E36-318i-323i-328i-OIL-SEPERATER-PRESSURE-REGULATING-VALVE-OEM/381912538612?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D44730%26meid%3D8f16fa6a4d9747e095d4c3eba3c5bdac%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D252785484117

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Crankcase-Breather-Hose-Check-Valve-Dorman-fits-01-06-BMW-325Ci-2-5L-L6-/291677430932?hash=item43e9546494:g:cEYAAOSwoydWs6X3&vxp=mtr