My 98 B5 is at 142k miles, and it's still on the original turbo. From what I've found it probably won't last much longer so I figured I should replace it in the next few months. I was wondering if there's anything to worry about when putting a bigger turbo on an engine with that many miles.

I was looking at spending up to $2000 on everything (chip, turbo, anything else needed). If anyone has any recommendations in that price range it would be awesome. If that's too cheap feel free to let me know too haha.

 

Would be worth your while to do a compression test before you drop $2k on a new BT setup. If you've got good compression numbers, there are many options for turbo upgrades. $2k is a reasonable price range for a mild turbo upgrade, but its gonna cost you more than that if you wanna go BAT. What are your power goals? Check out this thread:

https://www.audiforums.com/forum/b5-models-69/1-8t-turbo-upgrade-information-93439/

 

There are a few places that have "kits" with the turbo, "chip" and injectors, usually with an Elim kit. It's a little more than your price range, but you'd have to spend even more for supporting mods, like exhaust, HFC or TP, high flow exhaust mani, FMIC, ect. ect. But a decent Elim kit can put you near 300 HP without having to do too much more. Of course, you'd be limiting yourself and choking the turbo without any supporting mods.

Like Chris said, it will cost you much more to go bigger, then you're looking into custom exhaust mani and stuff, and once you start getting close to 400HP, you need to worry about busting internals.

I'm sure Mike will stop by and help 'splane it better than I. He's one of the subject matter experts here on turbos, and a total boost *****. I'll plug his website too, since I'm not sure if he's allowed to... www.ringer-racing.com

 

Its going to be tuff going to a bigger turbo for $2k if the car is fully stock. Even if you went with the Elim kit with tuning/fueling the setup will still make enough power to pretty much kill the stock clutch. A good enough clutch to mount on your stock flywheel is going to cost you just under $600, labor to put it in if you are not willing to do it yourself is going to cost you that or more.


GTRS Elim kit with tuning and injectors will run you around $2740. This will get you to around 250whp. More if you add a FMIC, high flow manifold and high flow exhaust.


Only real option you have for under $2000 is a K04 kit and that is not a big jump in power vs a chipped K03. To get the most out of the K04 you will also need a FMIC and high flow exhaust.

 

There you have it... THE Mike has spoken...

 

Ok so I guess the k04 is the way to go for me. I'm not looking for anything big I just figured there's no reason to buy another stock turbo. I doubt I'll invest in an FMIC since I think I'd need to get a different front bumper, but what should I be looking to spend on decent high flow exhaust?

 

you can get a custom setup bent for you at any decent exhaust shop, then have them weld up whatever muffler you want for a few hundred bucks. Pre-made stuff like Remus or Borla is gonna run just south of a grand

 

Ok I'll have to look into getting a custom one made then. Especially if the price difference is that big.

Thanks for the help by the way everyone.

 

If you have the extra cash available the aftermarket ones sound amazing, but i can't justify spending that much, personally.

 

save more money til the k03 dies altogether, and get what you want to get. dont rush it and wish you got more. story of my life.