F23 First impressions part 2.
F23 time.
The only reference I have from personal handling of the K04’s are my 2 previous CR Hybrids plus the stock K04-23 so I will use the CR stuff as my reference.
Built quality looks great, I am not sure where the parts are sourced from but they look quality, we all know aftermarket source from other sources, this is not secret so don’t kid yourself, CR do it, TD do it, buying a genuine k04-023 and converting it to hybrid is costly with poor ROI, I know believe me, though Doug’s setup is different to stock see below, but I am assured they are built to OEM quality by OEM suppliers.
Starting with the inlet, its bigger internally and externally and thicker that the other hybrid’s.
(These measurement are round up, I am not accounting for the .2mm here and there btw.)
Internally diameter is 49.5-50mm Vs CR’s 46mm, that’s a 3.5-4mm difference, (a bigger wheel must be in there
)
External diameter is 53.5-54mm Vs the CR 49mm and the shroud is constant, there is not groove in it.
Wall thickness, well we know what happened my Last CR hybrid shroud, it was machined so much it brook off..
The F23 has a constant shroud thickness of just a shade over 3mm VS CR 2.8mm and a ridiculous 1.3mm along the groove of the shroud(this is weak and where my broke)
So now that’s out of the way, I wonder whats in there, the wheel has 2297 written on it, that could be anything though, the 2283 wheel can fit inside a in a 46mm inlet and this one just fits in a 49.5/50mm inlet(it has 0.20mm clearance from the wheel to the housing), I don’t have any more details on this only that it is cast and Doug assures me spool is good, I am sure Doug could elaborate more.
Quick F23 walkaround video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AnqHfNEhUE&list=UU8daQUNZDtvqZCPfAIqkiMw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL-CT4ZWCR4&list=UU8daQUNZDtvqZCPfAIqkiMw&index=1
Exhaust side.
Mine has been ported out to accept my 034 manifold, I must say there is a lot of porting on this turbo the wastegate is huge, you can hopefully see in the picture below, its is ported out to 26mm+ with an oversized 34mm wastegate penny.
The turbine is not clipped and measures around 45mm, its hard to get the calliper in there, what it is I don’t know, I am glad it hasnt been clipped so it must be matched well to the wheel, CR clipped wheels can’t flow much above stock(proven), there overly clipped to be safe and cover themselves but this wastes energy.
The wastegate actuator on mine is 12psi and calibrated perfectly, I checked via my boost gauge. I was surprised on how little the wastegate penny opens, it cracks bang on 12psi but only opens about 10mm at its maximum lever point.(you will see on the vid) Hopefully this will be enough not to creep.
Actuator HD video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCTn2YUu90g&list=UU8daQUNZDtvqZCPfAIqkiMw
What else can I say it exceeds the offering I have seen from CR or TB, the price is very attractive considering its new unit not an exchange/upgrade so you can get some money back when you flog your original K04, I don’t think Doug can be beaten on this point.
Its got a ton of optional extra’s, this is a great point, its a one-stop-
shop for a setup, we have all been in the situation where one supplier is blaming the other and your in no mans land and basically fcuked, I guess this approach by FT gives the customer some comeback if anything does go tits up along with these I have had tons of emails back and fort with Doug, very helpful guy.
The bad point is that FT are US based, A UK supplier would be great! But if you can get around the import duties it still saves money.
All that said and done we all know the proof is in the pudding, this turbo will be fitted next week, luckily I have a recent dyno of the CR to pit it against, stay tuned……