Please help me pick the best turbo deal!

[metalhedskater]

Okay guys so i have just enough money to get my new trubo. Im going with the very popular evo 3 16g. Ive been looking and researching around since last month. Now i need some opinions one how much to pay used and sort of new (ebay). Here are the options as follows:

1) Okay so my favorite price tag is for the ported evo 3 16g and 2g install kit for $547 from ebay (bidding is still going on, but seller has many). If it comes down to it, how much would you guys pay? here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33742

2) The second best bargain off of a buy now on ebay is for an unported evo 3 16g and a ported o2 housing for $425 shipped. the only problem is that 2 of the turbo bolts broke off and he claims they can be drilled out and retapped "easily". Is this NOT a big problem that can be easily fixed? Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33742

3)This other one is an unported evo3 16g i had in mind from classifieds. It is for 520 marked down from 550 because he was including the o2 housing but i didnt need that. Zero shaft play on the turbo and only used for 2 weeks so he claims. It also comes with stainless braided oil feed line. I was thinking telling him $500-515 shipped.

Please give me some info guys! I can feel the boost already
thanks in advance guys!

[kjewer1]

For those prices I would just order a new one from SBR (569), RRE (580), FP (599), etc. For example, number 3, its not worth saving ~50 bucks and taking the risk that this porksword swallower on ebay may not be being honest. Turbos are one thing that I will not skimp on, and will only buy used if I buy it locally (so I can put my hands/eyes on it before I pay). This is just my opinion though. Good luck with it.

[Whathits14]

Don't buy ssautochrome. They are shit. Never buy anything from them, get something from RRE or some dsm shop. Since you are 2g you will need to peice together an install kit, w/ j pipe of some sort, ss braided oil line, and some tweaking of your water lines. You will either have to change your LICP or tweak it.

[metalhedskater]

Originally Posted by Whathits14

Don't buy ssautochrome. They are shit. Never buy anything from them, get something from RRE or some dsm shop. Since you are 2g you will need to peice together an install kit, w/ j pipe of some sort, ss braided oil line, and some tweaking of your water lines. You will either have to change your LICP or tweak it.

Whats wrong with ssautochrome? Have you havd first hand experience with them, if so please tell. They seem to have a pretty good deal 550 for the install kit and ported evo 3, but if you say they are shit im a little discouraged.

Also, i know alot about the lines and everything, but why would i have to replace my LICP or "tweak" it?

[metalhedskater]

Originally Posted by 95 GSXracer

For those prices I would just order a new one from SBR (569), RRE (580), FP (599), etc. For example, number 3, its not worth saving ~50 bucks and taking the risk that this porksword swallower on ebay may not be being honest. Turbos are one thing that I will not skimp on, and will only buy used if I buy it locally (so I can put my hands/eyes on it before I pay). This is just my opinion though. Good luck with it.

Thanks Kevin! I hope everything goes well. the only thing bothering me about SBR is that they charge more for porting the turbo. What all do you need to port anyway? If i dont have the tool can i just go to a regular machine shop, or somewhere in particular?

[EclipseRST]

Dont buy from SSAutochrome. I have seen and heard of a bunch of people getting screwed by them. One person in my town bought a turbo from them and put it on his car. One of the 50 trims he sells for $350. A week later the compressor housing split in 2. It looked like it was epoxied together. Total shit. I have seen some of their intercoolers and I could have done better welds with my eyes closed and using a mig welder on the aluminum intercooler. Everything just fucking sucks from them. Takes a long ass time to get shit too. Just an FYI.

[metalhedskater]

Well shit thanks for the heads up guys! Good thing i saked because i was like 550 with install kit is a grat fucking deal, now i know it really is too good to be true.

[EclipseRST]

That auction seems ligit though. Its up to you. If you buy it, use paypal. He's still in business so if he does screw you, you atleast have a chance to get your money back. Either that or see if he'll do escrow. Check it out... www.escrow.com

[Whathits14]

The reason you need to replace or "tweak" your licp is because the EVO III is a mitsubishi turbo. The 2g eclipse/talons came with a t-25 garret turbo. 1g's came with a 14b mitsubishi turbo. Their outlets are different, and a mitsubishi turbo will not bolt up to a stock 2g. The cheapest way around this is to get a J-pipe from a 1g and modify your intercooler piping. Also, no matter which EVO III you plan to go with, make sure you get new gaskets because the EVO is a 7cm housing and your stock gasket is smaller than that...but best of luck with the turbo!

Most of the install kits offered are a rip off...try your best to peice one together before buying one...oh and lay off the boost (I wouldent do more than 13) until you get some fuel mods....with a pump you can do 15 but your injectors will be maxed out...with injectors safc or dsmlink and a fuelpump, add a frontmount and you can crank that turbo to 20+

www.roadraceengineering.com
www.turbochargers.com
www.slowboyracing.com
www.dsmparts.com
just a few of the more recognized vendors...

[metalhedskater]

Okay so i think im gonna buy the SBR turbo.... I just have a few more questions:

1) now should i just save money by having the turbo ported myself, someone as some shop, or SBR? Is SBR probably the cheapest and safest bet?

2) Now if SBR does do my port work, should i have the inlet or outlet ported? What is the difference (for my own knowledge) and what would be most benefecial? Id like to have them both done, but im a little skeptical on the prices.

3) I know i need the J pipe, the 90 degree elbow to the IC, and the oil return line. Now exactly what else do i need for my evo 3?

[JoeWagon]

The J pipe IS the 90* pipe. Short lesson: Mitsu slapped a garrett turbo on the 2g's, but it is modified from a normal garrett T25. It has an elbow facing the SMIC welded onto it. Any other turbo (mitsu, garrett, hybrid) will need a 90* if you plan on running it to the SMIC. If you get a FMIC at the same time, you can skip the trouble.

[kjewer1]

I would not bother porting the turbo at all. ShapeGSX is running 44 lbs/min and 11.8s on an unported EVO3. When I did porting on 14b and 16g sized turbos I never saw any gain at all. The only porting that was worthwhile was that which increased WG path flow to control boost creep.

The turbo with install kit for 550 is probably the made in china knock off... I think the jury is still out on those units.

[metalhedskater]

Originally Posted by 95 GSXracer

I would not bother porting the turbo at all. ShapeGSX is running 44 lbs/min and 11.8s on an unported EVO3. When I did porting on 14b and 16g sized turbos I never saw any gain at all. The only porting that was worthwhile was that which increased WG path flow to control boost creep.

The turbo with install kit for 550 is probably the made in china knock off... I think the jury is still out on those units.

Ok good call Kevin. I was under the impression that porting the turbo increases response. I dont know maybe not. Yea i was also considering the chinese GT version from trubochargers.com because i recall from a thread that you would probably buy it because it comes with this free replacement and $150.00 back. You said that you would buy it and if it ever took a shit on you, youd return and get a new one.....

[kjewer1]

It might be worth a shot. I dont recall what I said earlier, but typically as I get older the fewer risks I like to take. Or maybe its the ridiculous payment on the EVO that sobered me up I think you can safely pass on the porting though. If you decide later that you want to do it, you can buy the tools for ~30 bucks and try your hand at it. I still don't think it will improve performance enough to justify the cost of buying it ported and going through the hassle of having it done. Doing things yourself though eases the financial burden and eliminates waiting on someone else, so I tend to agree with it more under these circumstances. Hard to explain, but I'm sure things will be fine either way.

[metalhedskater]

Okay so what else do i need besides the J pipe for my 2g install?