I am after some advice and opinions on the GT28RS turbos. The stock turbo in my 99 b5 is cactus and needs replacing. I am interested in improving the performance without creating a tempermental rocket that my wife will not like driving.

Criteria:
1. I don't want a turbo that is like a kick in the pants at 3000rpm sending all wheels spinning.
2. I want extra power without the turbo dramatically altering the drivability of the car.
3. With fuel prices going through the roof, I am not interested in driving a 4 cylinder that has the fuel economy of a v8.
4. I don't want to spend megabucks modding this car.

Does the GT28RS turbo meet my criteria?

 

if you dont need that much power....

hmmm I would think a GT2X Elim from ATP or k04 would suit you well..

a GT28RS can do 300WHP

This is the problem.
With a GT28RS you will need a new manifold.. new intake... new motor mounts (you old ones will go) new oil/coolant lines.. a new clutch.... and a host more tinkering

Your best bet... replace it w/ a k04 or a GT2x eliminator http://www.atpturbo.com

 

define a kick in the pants.

You may want to look into a K03.

 

scratch that I ment to say a K04

 

nah.. dont replace it w/ a stock turbo..

ATLEAST do a k04.. you can run a k04 on stock programming .. until you get the rest of the items.

 

Thats what i ment. I am at work right now, can't focus on audiforms like i should be

 

ummm ..
ATP has a complete GT28RS kit with no hedaches

and im sure if you dont beat the livin **** out of the car and your not running off the chart bosst levels you wont have problems.

 

take the turbo off, and reprogram it to be regular 1.8 engien about 130HP and no kicking in the pants.
or go with big turbo that will kick like at high RPM 03/04 hybrit is cool. all you will have to do is set it low at the begining then you can increase as you like.
I would go with K04 if I had a choise but on the other hand I will go bilow stock for longer engine life and better economy.

GT28RS is good choise too, you can always get better at this. set it low or high. with K04 is limited. and yea with GT28RS is a major head ache to integrate. but worth it in long run I beleve.
130HP can always drive your car.
400HP can always make your car fly. {You wont drive fast, just fly slow}

K03 no head ache
K04 less head ache
GT28RS a lot of head ache.

You need to chose for your self. Considering Work, Expensise, future of the car.
You wont need airplane if all you do is comute between store(s), home, work.
if you race the car sometimes, then yep you need an airplane.

 

Do you have a chip yet?

If not then that is probably exactly what you are looking for. I love my GIAC.

You might consider an exhaust upgrade also. I'm looking at 2.75" exhaust.

 

yea, chip it, if nothing else just k04, you need to know your way in and out of an engine, backwards and forwards, and also know alot about turbo tuning.

k04 from awe-tuning.com has hassle free, user-friendly, reliable hp that you wife can drive.