So I I'm looking around to find a good priced K04 and found this online sold by XS-Power. I have their exhaust for my car so I figure this could be legit. Please help me out guys!
KO4 015 Audi A4 A6 VW Passat 1 8T Upgrade 5304 988 0015 | eBay

Thanks,
Chris

 

Honestly, what do you think?

Search eBay turbochargers.

Exhaust =/= Turbochargers.

 

Yeah I know. I was searching around and that is how I found this. Just because it is on ebay doesn't mean it is ****.

 

Most of the time it is.

I know of at least one person that ran that turbocharger. It failed.

 

Fixed.

There are some things on eBay you can trust: test pipes, mufflers, short shifters, O2 sensor spacers, brand name parts from reputable sellers. I even bought my exhaust from an eBay seller (albeit directly through his company). This turbo is none of those things. They're cheap chinese knockoffs. I checked the classifieds on the zine and there was a genuine K04 and a used K03 in the B5 engine section, both for less than $300.

EDIT: The K04 sold apparently, but here's the K03:

http://www.audizine.com/classifieds/...bo-130k&cat=20

 

yeah a real k04 is a grand on ECS, being $700 less should be a giant red flag

 

I have rebuilt turbochargers for quite sometime. I would never by a cheap eBay turbo that is small like a k04 or a t25. The balancing is hard to get acceptable. Bigger turbo like t3t4 dont have to be nearly as perfect but even they have problems as well. I have taken the knock off gt35 and rebuilt them with good results in both hp and dependability but these small ones are just a waste. The compressor and its housing are ok to use with a genuine shaft but you have to get it balanced properly and use a good rebuild kit. You want a good 3 stage balance or your wasting time and money.