RobDon's Leon evolving.

[RobDon]

Yes Ian, I asked Turbo Dynamics, they do an MD445 hybrid K04:


MD445 - K04 turbo with Hi flow K04 compressor wheel, cnc machined compressor housing , large trim K04 turbine wheel, lightening of turbine wheel for faster ‘spool up’, cnc modified turbine housing, ported wastegate, uprated turbine seals. Other ‘blueprinting’ modifications. 12 psi Uprated actuator APPROX 280- 300 BHP.

Absolute Maximum recommended boost level – 24-26 P.S.I.

Please Note: This application needs exact engine management settings, free flow exhaust system and front mount intercooler to achieve these horsepower figures, however, the exhaust manifold is the limiting factor in achieving any real worthwhile gains and would need to be changed to get maximum benefit from the turbocharger.


I know what I want to run - the Backdraft GT28RS kit, but it's all down to cost right now, £4k+ is way out of range for me and I don't want to end up spending years paying it off a credit card.

Realistically my only affordable goal right now is a either a hybrid K04 or rebuilt, hybrid GT2X on the TIG-ART manifold. My current dilemma is whether a hybrid K04 would be any better than the reworked GT2X, my last K04 hybrid was worse than the standard GT2X. I'm sure it was the MD349 I used to have, which blew as soon as 20psi was put through it - so I'm not confident of hybrid K04's.

 

[dsrr]

Rob, have you looked at the JBS05 and fitting the JBS Manifold, looks like a good option for a solid 300+ and if you get a good used k04 to PX it comes to £850+vat would mean you getting a K04 DP from an LCR( blueflame do one) but you have a DP/Cat you could easily sell to offsett some of the cost

 

[RobDon]

Not sure m8, 330-340lbft torque is too much for stock 180 rods I think, isn't 320lbft the absolute limit? If I move away from my current setup, I'd be as well going Backdraft GT28RS.

CR Turbos are letting me know later today the costs for repairing and upgrading my GT2X, TIG-ART manifold will be here in a few days time.

Turbo Dynamics say their MD445 and the JBS04 are entirely different turbos!

 

[PhilW]

I think your doing the right thing now to be honest rob, be interesting to see how the re-worked GT2X and the tig art mani perform, will you be able to get back to the RR you had your previous figure to get a comparison?

 

[jonathanp]

Turbo Dynamics say their MD445 and the JBS04 are entirely different turbos!

Makes you wonder how different they can really be when TD, JBS and backdraft all list similar modifications and are rated between 280 - 300bhp


edit: Did you mean MD445 and JBS05? as the JBS04 is based on a KO3s anyway

 

[RobDon]

No - both are K03S hybrids.

 

[jonathanp]

ahh ok see thats where it gets confusing, they call it a K04 hybrid when its actually a KO3(s)

 

[RobDon]

Yep, pretty much machined out K03S's with K04 internals. Turbo Dynamics do a hybrid K04-23 from the 210/225 which offers 340bhp for the same price as the MD445! Yet another option.

 

[PhilW]

K04-023 mani with that hybrid, pro imports up pipe and 550cc injectors. Sounds nice.

They got a compressor map for it?

 

[Saul]

Rob, from what i gather part of the nut is obscured or removed?

Why not use your dremel to cut into a socket and make an open ended socket if you will?

 

[RobDon]

I'm going to try grinding down the ouside of a socket, hopefully enough for it to slip over, we'll see.

Got a quote back from CR Turbos today:

"Your turbo has suffered some bearing wear, the shaft wheel has made contact with the turbine housing causing damage to the wheel,this will need changing. Fortunately the rest of the turbo appears ok. To repair the turbo with the uprated thrust bearing, Larger comp wheel, and restricting the oil inlet union will be £345+£10+VAT."

£355 + VAT? Jamie was only charged £160 for the above work, all I'm getting extra is an oil restrictor ... £240 for an oil restrictor??? The damaged parts are being replaced with upgraded parts anyway, so there is no extra work really.

I've asked them why it is so much more expensive for me.

 

[longman]

Why not use your dremel to cut into a socket and make an open ended socket if you will?

I'm going to try grinding down the ouside of a socket, hopefully enough for it to slip over, we'll see.

Just mind zee fingers! From experience with a cracked stocket, it will spread open even more and slip over the corners of the nut when you apply any force.

 

[RobDon]

Got confirmation back from CR - my turbo is being fully reconditioned AND modified at the same time, hence the extra cost, Jamie's turbo was brand new so no re-con work required. So they're going ahead with it, full re-con and machined to accept a larger, different profile compressor wheel, heavy duty 360 degree thrust bearing, new oil seals, etc. etc.

 

[jamiebennett81]

I'm going to try grinding down the ouside of a socket, hopefully enough for it to slip over, we'll see.

Got a quote back from CR Turbos today:

"Your turbo has suffered some bearing wear, the shaft wheel has made contact with the turbine housing causing damage to the wheel,this will need changing. Fortunately the rest of the turbo appears ok. To repair the turbo with the uprated thrust bearing, Larger comp wheel, and restricting the oil inlet union will be £345+£10+VAT."

£355 + VAT? Jamie was only charged £160 for the above work, all I'm getting extra is an oil restrictor ... £240 for an oil restrictor??? The damaged parts are being replaced with upgraded parts anyway, so there is no extra work really.

I've asked them why it is so much more expensive for me.

yes but remember Rob, mine was a brand new unit, and therefore did not require any refurbishing, but just new parts fitted so I am guessing a lot less work required and therefore a lot cheaper to overhaul...........

 

[RobDon]

Yep, they said alot more work required on mine to repair the damage.

 

[jamiebennett81]

Yep, they said alot more work required on mine to repair the damage.

yep

so what is the cost for the oil restrictor then Rob?

 

[RobDon]

Dunno m8, it's included in the price, I'll ask tomorrow as they said the turbo would be done by then! I did mention you wanted an oil restrictor too. Might be worth dropping them a line or phoning them and asking while they're doing it to my turbo, so they know exactly what you're talking about.

Turbo re-done tomorrow, manifold due in a day or two ... STILL not got the old manifold off though - what to do? My last chance is the crows foot spanner, if that doesn't work I'm fooked!

 

[jamiebennett81]

Dunno m8, it's included in the price, I'll ask tomorrow as they said the turbo would be done by then! I did mention you wanted an oil restrictor too. Might be worth dropping them a line or phoning them and asking while they're doing it to my turbo, so they know exactly what you're talking about.

Turbo re-done tomorrow, manifold due in a day or two ... STILL not got the old manifold off though - what to do? My last chance is the crows foot spanner, if that doesn't work I'm fooked!

cant you drill out the bolts? as a worst case scenario......

 

[RobDon]

May come to something drastic like drilling or splitting the nuts with a cold chisel yes.

The nuts are copper right? So must be soft yes?

 

[ibizacupra]

usually copper plated not copper as such