I have an 98 aeb fwd 5-speed, I have seen the threads talking about this setup all over with no real opinions or comments on the end result. So the idea is for a budget build, nothing crazy just decent power for the cash that is better then k04 and cheaper then the eliminator setups.


How much does the journal style change the car?

How bad is the lag?

Things of that nature.


thanks for dealing with a noob.

 

The bearing in the turbo really has little to do with the style of the car. It has to do with the size of the turbo. A good example is the turbo you have mentioned. When BB setups first came out they made T3T4 50 trim that was only BB on the compressor side and later dual BB. They really did not respond any quicker then the regular journal bearing setups. However the BB did allow for more psi to be safely run for longer periods of time.

I am somewhat noobish to AEB but not to turbo and how they respond. The T3T4 50 trim is an excellent turbo and can be used in a daily but the spool is not going to be great. If you live in stop and go traffic something smaller would be more suitable.

Turbo selection is going to be based off a couple things. What you are ultimately after. How much you have to spend. How far you want to take it. Any turbo upgrade is going to require a proper tune, injectors, and maybe a MAF increase. As well as a FMIC, exhaust, down/test pipe, intake of some sort, and a turbo manifold. Also if you are thinking the Elim setups are expensive they really are not for what you get. If you are a resourceful person and willing to wrench and wait for good deals then they do come around.

The older T28 turbos offer similiar response and can be found cheap used.

What is your ultimate goal? What all are you willing to change? What all are you not willing to change?

 

disclaimer- i am by no means an expert on turbos. my knowledge is fairly limited.


there are plenty of people running 50 trims. it was basically the go to turbo for audi's before people started running bb units. lets say you run two turbos that are exactly the same besides the bearings. the journals bearing will respond slower to bb units as per other people's testimonies. i dont have experience ith journal bearings yet. however, the journal bearing turbo's have been known to last longer and be a tad more hearty. if youre lucky and find a water cooled unit, it could last quite a long time. also keep in mind the journal bearing units are servicable, while the bb units arent really. i have come across a shop that will put new bb's in, but when its all said and done, you could buy a whole new chra for a little more.

with that said, i got the itch again the other night. i have an hx35 in pieces that i was going to put in, but scrapped the idea. i really got to thinking and i think im going to give it a shot. holsets have pretty good response and are definately worth considering. if i come across an hx30, i would probably throw it in tomorrow

 

The idea is more for close to stock spool. I meant more the overall feel of the car after all is said and done then style. I have no problem with swapping parts or even fabrication. The idea was to get 275 and up for less then 1500. There's plenty of parts to be found all over for cheap. The 50 trim seems very common thanks to the JDM guys.

 

The T3T4 50 trim is not the turbo to be going for stock like spool. Also for less then $1500 you are going to be hardpressed to get anything even if you buy used.

Here is a list of parts needed

Tune and injectors ($800 new)
Turbo ($600 new)
Manifold (eGay special $90 new)
FMIC (CXracing $250ish new)
Downpipe (self made $150-$300)
Exhaust (used $400 new)
MAF ($30-$40 used)

These are only the key parts. If you have healthy motor now maybe you can start buying parts that will work later down the line with a bigger turbo. Like exhaust, intercooler, etc. You are also going to need suspension, brakes, and clutch as well.

As for turbo I would start looking at dynos and other builds. If you want stock like spool and decent power check out the Franken turbo offering. Outside of it you can try to find a good used SR20DET T25 from the S13 red top. They are the same turbo used in the GT2X elim setup and can be had for around $200 used. They have made 260 lb ft and 240awhp on the Audi A4 already with a stock exhaust and they spool up by 3500 RPM. You could piece a kit together but I highly doubt you would hit 275 whp with it though they have made 280rwhp on a highly modded SR20DET.


Redline- The ball bearing units of exact proportions to journal bearing units have very lil difference in spool. The key is exact proportions. If you look at the GT turbos which is what really started the BB craze and compare the GT2560, GT2860RS, GT3071, and GT3076 to turbos with the same sized compressors in the old T series line (GT2560=T3 60 trim, GT2860RS= T3 super 60 trim which is really a 62 trim, GT3071 I think was H trim T04B, and the GT3076R was the T04E 57 trim) you will notice that the only major difference between them is bb and the size of the turbines. Using the BB allows you to use smaller turbine that allow for faster spool time. Also if you look at the FP Big T28 and compare it to the GT2860RS which are identical except the BB they spool almost identical as well. The real benefit of the BB is being able to utilize smaller faster spooling turbines and running much higher psi levels. If you run small turbines on journal bearing setups the thrust bearing just can not hold up.

Those Holset turbo are nice and for their size respond insanely fast. They are also a very robust and durable turbo. If you have one of the split housing (what most call twin scroll) you can run a quick spool valve and it really makes difference.

Which HX30 are you after specifically? Are you wanting to buy one and have it rebuilt?

 

I have the exhaust and suspension. Working on the brakes and just ordered the clutch and flywheel set up. I'm not even setting a serious HP goal. I just want something to tinker with. The k04 with a PC 16 seems fun but I like to make things difficult for myself. That I why I was just asking for opinions on how t3 setups have turned out more so on street cars. I don't plan on taking the fwd to the track.

 

Got the suspension and exhaust. Just ordered the clutch and am waiting to hear about some TT brackets for better braking. I'm only discussing motor set up. I haven't seen many dyno charts for t3 set ups. The less supporting mods idea has me thinking about the k04 with pc16 even if they dont make crazy power. And I'm not even setting a HP goal. Just something to tinker with and have fun.

 

Phone screwed up I didn't think I posted the first reply.

 

The AWE K04 kit is no slouch. The Franken turbo is much larger though and maybe exactly what you are after. I know Matelman is running it. Maybe he can chime in and give you better details.