turbo ?'s

[Bee18c]

Can you make a non-ball bearing turbo into one(ball-bearing)? Also what is the usual price of a turbo rebuild?

[doctorstupid]

yes you can, but it's expensive. and in my opinion ball bearings simply are not worth it. if you have a well matched turbo the difference ball bearings would make is negligable. conventional turbos have noncontact bearings, meaning the shaft rides on oil. there is next to no friction as long as there is oil pressure. the benefits of ball bearings (about 300rpm of spool time) do not justify the price. period.

and a rebuild should cost about $150 per turbo, but you can get the bearings and seals and do it yourself for half that, plus balancing.

[john]

If you are building a drag car, every bit of edge you can get is needed/desired. If not, I have to echo what dr stupid said - not really worth the add'l cost for a BB cartridge.

Have a chat with Jim at TEC - he'll set the record straight with regard to BB vs thrust bearing cartridges.

Don't even attempt a cartridge rebuild. Let the pros do it.

Depending on the parts needed for a rebuild (do you need new wheels, etc) you can expect around $300 for an average price.

[doctorstupid]

http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread.php?t=188373
^how to rebuild a turbo^

[ryanman]

http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread.php?t=188373
^how to rebuild a turbo^
Errr, I wouldn't do that. Might as well just lt a shop do it and balance it at the same time.

[doctorstupid]

true. i always do my own labor, minus things like balancing and machine work. if you're trying to save money do the rebuild but (obviously) have someone else do the balancing.

[stu]

Jim at TEC will straight out tell you that he wouldn't even run a non-water cooled turbo on a car at all, but that's just what he'll tell you.

The difference in price is $60.

[Bee18c]

Thanks everyone!