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Hey guys,
I have been thinking about this for a while now, and I think I would like to go with a K04 turbo! There was a guy on AZ that sold one for $125 + ship with only 10k miles on it! I thought that was a hell of a deal so I am looking to buy one and am going to keep my eyes open! But before I do I wanted to ask for some honest opinions and answers, as I am new to upgrading a turbo....I was thinking of chiping first and than upgrading the turbo or upgrading the turbo than chipping??? I wanted to have a realiable back up (my current turbo) not being pushed to the limits, just in case if I chip and the K04 goes I still have the K03!!!


So here it goes.....
1) What kind of costs am I looking at? depends. 200 for the k04chip if you get chipped by GIAC first for your k03 (which will be 500), 500 if you skip the k03 chip and just get the k04 one. and the turbo will be whatever you find yours for.
2) What are the benefits? slightly higher hp and tq and you will hold boost slightly longer
3) What kind of power gains am I looking at if I chip with the new turbo vs the old?
vs stock? ~100hp. vs a chipped k03? ~50hp it all depends on supporting mods tho
4) Is it more durable than the K03, being a bigger turbo I would imagine it would be?
bigger turbos are less durable due to generating more heat, but the k04 isn't really a bigger turbo. it'll be just as reliable as a k03.
5) What are some things I should look at if I buy used? shaft play, cracks, etc...
6) Is it a straight swap with the K03? yup
7) And to top it off any supporting ideal mods needed? with GIAC, you need a 5 bar fpr. anything else is just optional. maxed out k04 would include an aggressive file, injectors, fpr, fmic, w/m injection, intake, tp, exhaust.