Need advice on what turbo to buy

[redboat]

I need advice on turbo purchase, and my K04 is smoking badly. Pulling the trigger tonight on this. I do not want to have to replace turbo, or deal with this again, RELIABILITY is more important to me right now than power.

1. used K04(40k-50K miles)-$200 shipped
2. ATP hotside w/ ebay/CXracing GT3076 CHRA and compressor housing(everything is $375) plus I'll need to oil drain, bigger TIP, MBC, and longer coolant line
3. Remani K04 turbo $350 shipped (one year warranty, with ASE mechanic installation)
4. Turbolab remani K04 turbo with larger/billet inducer wheel $550 shipped

I'm leaning toward the GT3076, due to even a remani K04 could still have bad seals. and I can port the 3076 hotside to decrease boost creep. And I'll keep my OEM MAP/EBC so I won't be running over 22PSI

I called BNR, they are back up with 40+ orders right now.

Give me your opinions...

[cletusb]

If you want reliability I wouldn't be looking at a Frankenstein China charger.

Get the used k04 or the one with warranty if the $150 is worth it to you.
If you want more power later look at the b3 or b4 if it's out by then

[Hargarbl]

Personally I wouldn't go with an eBay turbo, I have read way to many horror stories about them, then again the success stories are probably equal, if not slightly more. They eBay turbo route all depends on the chances you are willing to take. If you do decide to go that route, once purchased and received I would at least have the balance checked.

I would personally go the route of replacing the chra for the time being until you can afford to spend a little more. I recently had my turbo rebuilt by Boost Lab here in Tampa. They charged me $500 plus whatever tax, all they did was replace the entire chra, and it came with a 1 year warranty. Also I could do the install myself and not have to pay to have someone else do it, which all made it worth the slightly more than me buying the chra and doing the swap myself.

But those are my opinions, and that is what you asked for after all.

[PapaSmurf]

ATP hotside doesnt fit on a china charger unless you get it machined to line up correctly.

[redboat]

Originally Posted by PapaSmurf ATP hotside doesnt fit on a china charger unless you get it machined to line up correctly.

same with a Precision turbo?

[Easter Bunny]

Get a used k04 if you can't wait for a BNR s3

[doctavus]

I agree with going with a used k04.

And like also stated, I agree with getting the k04 with warranty, though it's good they want an ASE mechanic, that is extra money too.

If you pretty much know you can afford a BNR in a year then just get an old one and hope for the best.

[magicka]

Contact RPM, see if they still have some BNRs in stock. They're doing a tax season sale right now too.

BNR Stage 3 Turbocharger for Mazdaspeed 3 / 6 / CX-7 #BNR-MZ3 - Revolution Performance Motorsports!

[mituc]

Originally Posted by redboat I need advice on turbo purchase, and my K04 is smoking badly. Pulling the trigger tonight on this. I do not want to have to replace turbo, or deal with this again, RELIABILITY is more important to me right now than power.

How much are you willing to spend on this and what are your goals?
If all you want is to get rid of the smoking issue then a rebuilt K04 may do the job. But since you're touching that area I'd definitely get something larger, such as a GTX28/BNRS3 or GTX30.

[TiGraySpeed6]

BNR for $1100 + gaskets & wait time


GTX2867R for $1699 + 3" TIP or adapter & gaskets
ATP Turbo GTX28R Bolt-On Turbo Kit MS6


GT3071R for $2370 + gaskets (complete bolt on kit even with DP & Intake)
ATP GT3071R Turbo Kit for MS6 complete bolt-on



Both the BNR and 28 will let you see upper 300's with some e85 or meth. The BNR is more cost effective, but you'll need to decide if you want to wait, or spend a bit more & have instant gratification.

Spend a few hundred more for the GT30, and you'll get upper 300's easily on just pump gas, as well as a new intake & DP. You can likely sell your current intake & DP for a few bucks to recoup some funds.

Whatever choice you make, I will, in the strongest possible way, encourage you to not spend any money on another K04 regardless of it's pedigree- all K04's will smoke. If it's time for a turbo, then get a turbo

[shamie]

Just get the used k04. You could almost buy 2 of them for the price of the k04 with a one year warantee.

[PapaSmurf]

Originally Posted by redboat same with a Precision turbo?

ATP is a garrett based turbo so it will not fit on a precision turbo.

I have personally tried to put an ATP hotside on a CX Racing/Godspeed turbo and the holes to attach the hotside to the CHRA did not line up correctly.

[Chimmike]

And I went through this on FB, but don't buy a godspeed/chinacharger. Just don't do it. Especially a 3076 if you're not going to be pushing the turbo at all.

[ihasmazda]

From what I understand, there's always the bnr stge 1 if you want a relatively cheap reliable stock replacement instead of buying a ko4 twice repeatedly.

[PapaSmurf]

Originally Posted by gingermike And I went through this on FB, but don't buy a godspeed/chinacharger. Just don't do it. Especially a 3076 if you're not going to be pushing the turbo at all.

I couldnt agree more. They are horrible turbos. They spool stupid slow and dont come close to their garrett counterpart.

[Lex]

If you want to stop the smoking, there are a few things to do before even swapping the turbo:

1. Use a thicker oil such as a 5W-40
2. Increase idle to 850-900 RPM via a tune
3. Increase the PCV ventilation. This is the real reason these cars smoked in the first place. There was a TSB for the Mazdaspeed3s that lasted beyond the warranty period that relocated the valve cover vent closer to the turbo.

After this consider replacing the turbo with a used K04.

However if you're looking for more performance while you're at it, only then consider a bigger turbo. The BNRS3 is a great choice and so are the ATP turbos. For a responsive setup I would stick to a GTX2867, GT2871, GTX/GT3071 before going to the GT3076.

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by TiGraySpeed6 GT3071R for $2370 + gaskets (complete bolt on kit even with DP & Intake)

I may be parting with my GTX3071R EWG, brand new, never installed, ceramic coated hot side and dump pipe, @redboat; let me know if you are interested and I can post pictures and pm you details.