Hey guys,

Someone has a k03s turbo for sale for a resonable price on this board, however I've heard there are some gains with the k03s vs k03 (Which I have stock on my FWD 180TT) ....I've also been looking into a k04 turbo.

The k03s is considerably cheaper....other than my turbo after my stage 1 clutch install...I have no other mods i'd like to complete other than rims and better brakes.


MODS:

STAGE 1 CLUTCH
APR CHIP 93 OCT
BORLA EXHAST
MODSHACK INTAKE


what kinds of gains will I see with a k03s?
What kinds of gains will i see with a K04?


For the money the ko3's appears to be a better value....

 

k03s?? I think that is just plural for k03...k03s are on the s4, which is biturbo...you either go k03, k04, k04 hybrid, or BT..

 

K03's stands for ko3 sport.

I know there is a difference, im just wondering how much...i've read it uses the same compressor as the k04. Just its smaller so it spools faster...which I really like...

anyways...if anyone knows the hp/lbs gains i'll see ....it would really help me in the purchase.


Thanks!

 

Lil help? "BT" ?

 

ive asked this before, but nobody really answered it correctly. Is it worth it to upgrade the turbo if the stock engines compression ratio is an already high 9.5:1? isntmore boost than the stock turbocharger's capable of in this scenario kinda asking for trouble??I can see how in the "225" engine its safer because of its lower compression and better rotating assembly (or so i heard)?

 

You are right, the K03 is smaller so it does spool faster but you really shouldnt run anymore than 17-18psi (on a chipped 180)on it because it will max the little turbo out. Basically it will be running at it maximum load. The K04 is bigger and can produce a little more pressure, they say 22-24on chipped (225) cars. That is where the K04 will max out. So if all you want to run is 17psi then I would say stick with the K03, if you want to run a little more then go with a K04 but really for that price you may want to look into getting a eliminator kit from www.atpturbo.com. I dont know the numbers for the gains that you will see with the K04 sorry. Good luck

 

here is the differnce

ko3 small turbo for most 2000-2001 cars
ko3s have a slightly bigger compressor, the same for a ko4-001 for 2001- on
ko4-001 or 15 has a slighly larger turbine housing than a ko3s
ko4-2x are off 225 have a larger turbine and compressor than the ko4-001

you will see some gain from ako3 to a ko3s (~10hp @ smae psi) but thats about it.

^ these turbo are all very capabable of running 20-24 daily without any problems.
^^ the compression will help spool your turbo faster (like the need it) and give more power through out the power band. Your engine was designed to run it and there are people running 300, 400, 500 plus whp with 9.5:1 compression on these engines everyday.
^^^ the spool on all of the turbos listed above are way to quick to even worry about, if you have fwd a laggier turbo is suggested. A larger turbo, even running at a low psi will allow you to get better traction and make good power, plus have room to grow.

i tried to make this own post so i hope everyone finds the response to their questions.

 

Its all about the efficiency island. You can make more boost even with the smallest of those turbos, but it gets to a point, where you're making so much heat, it offsets the pressure. Hot air is less dense air, so even though the pressure is higher, there isn't more air there.

Heres a random example of a map, you want to try to run your car so that your as close as you can to staying inside that island in the middle, this is where you're turbo is making the best use of the air flowing thru it. Make sure you always stay away from that surge line, thats the point where you'll start doing damage to the turbo. Surge is the situation when the compressor "spits out" more air than the engine can swallow, which causes a backup of air at the intake and it actually creates reverse-flowing pressure waves that can bedamaging to the turbo. All that air pushing back thru the turbo can be equated to thowing a stick in the spokes of someones bicycle. It stops/slows the spin very quickly, and thats a lot of stress.



So, with that said, the best way to go about choosing a turbo is with a little research. What kind of power do you want the car to make, realistically, and to get that, what A/R ratio, and boost pressure you're gonna need to do that, so that you can keep your efficiency up. Now, if your only choosing between a selection of turbos that were designed for similar 1.8 engines, just about all that work has been done for you, these are turbos hand picked for the car, so pretty much most of what i just said can be ignored, but its still good to know what exactly your turbo is doing.

And this concludes your slightly-more-technical-than-you-want turbo lesson for today. ; )

 

they are choosing between kkk turbos not a 57 or 60 trim t3/t4 so i dont think surge comes into play here. And with proper cooling (larger intercooler or better yet w/m injection) there is still power to be made.

and for those looking that is a super 60 turbo show above not a ko anything (just pointly that out) but a great step up from a ko3 and slightly bigger and more powerful than a ko4-2x. Kits can be made for about the same as a k04-2x setup and youll get more power and get garrett's reliability

 

are there any links to all these HIGH HP cars running the stock 9.5 comp ratioand stock shortblock?