Hey, how's everyone doing? I wondering if anyone out here who has more knowledge than me could give me some help. For maybe the last 3-4 weeks something has been wrong with my turbo. I usually spike around 19psi and hold about 16-17psi and then at about 5300rpms it drops off to alomst 12psi like any normal chipped stock k03. Instead, I've only been spiking at 10psi, holding at around 7-8psi, and then dropping off at only 5psi. My car feels like its stock again and I can't figure out why. Also, my car only feels like it "trying" to fully boost at WOT and anything less i.e. when I'm just trying to cruise it makes the car flutter or feel inconsistant with power. I can get it to accelerate kinda normal as long as I'm not boosting. I changed the spark plugs as someone recommended to me that this could be ignition and that didnt help. I then tried the tennis ball method to see if it could maybe be a boost leak but I didnt hear anything slowly leaking out. I think it might just be that my stock turbo with 77K on it could just be going out. Any thoughts or do you still need more info to tell? BTW the just threw a code two days ago saying "system is to lean" and this problem has been happening for almost a month.

Then to fix this problem I was wondering if those stock k03 turbos I see on ebay are any good? I mean the price is very good and I have a shop around here that could install it for 300 and give it back the same day. Again, any thoughts on these turbos?

Well thank you for your time and reading everything. I know it was kinda long but i just didnt want to leave anything out. Thank, and have a great day erveryone.

 

From what people say, the ebay ones are crap. If you are looking for a new turbo check here. http://www.gpopshop.com/index.html And for rebuilt, this guy is recommended http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SP51-...2842QQtcZphoto

 

So my problem just sounds like my turbo is going and that I'm just going to nned to replace it?
Your recommending a rebuild kit? Im not very handy as I dont have all the tools needed for my car thats why I was just going to buy the turbo and have a shop install it for me. If I get it from this gpopshop, the only difference between the k03 and the k04 is the slightly larger compressor wheel? Is it true the k04 will hold power where the k03 drops off at around 53k?

Thanks again for any help

 

The guy with the rebuild kit said that you still need to shop to rebuild it. He does sell a unit already built for like $600-700 bucks. I gonna go one of those two ways when mine goes out.

 

Do not buy an eBay turbo. The fins are probably made of plastic, you'll blow it up the first time it spools. I'll bet money on it.

And if you're looking to upgrade your turbo, don't go for a K04, it's not really cost-efficient. Look into a GT2X setup, because that will yield you good power for the price. And it's an elim kit, so it's literally a plug-and-play (plug-and-drive?) setup.

 

Check - **** an eBay turbo.

Well I wouldnt mind a k04 because I really dont't feel like changing injectors along with everything else only because my turbo is failing. If i went with like a GT25 would that fit perfectly into my car without needing to changed anything else?

 

First check that you put you n75 vavle on right it will cause those syptoms if on backwards.

Oh just read the rest... thought you had an ebay turbo lol

 

Sounds like you're going into limp mode. Next time that happens, shut off and restart your engine and see if boost levels return to normal. I've been dealing with soft limp mode (10psi max) ever since i got chipped. This only happens if i take it to redline through every gear up to 3rd or 4th gear. I noticed it was less of an issue with the use of the n75 H or "race" valve. Check for fault codes. Soft limp will store a code but not make your CEL come on.

I've never heard of an ebay k03 knock off w/issues. What are you people basing your oppinions/decisions on that from? A lot are, but not all ebay parts are junk. I'm not saying I would trust it either, but I have no personal experience, and have not read of anyones poor experience with the use of one. I think they have been around long enough that if they were POS's, the companies would have suffered too much w/defective units/complaints by now and not be able to run a business.

 

Limp mode? I've started my car lots in one months time and this hasn't reset anything. How do I know if my cars in limp mode or not? Also, so a k03 ebay knock off could work? Maybe?

 

Of course it could work, but I havent heard anyone's reviews good or bad to say it's a good idea or not. Id personally try to find a used working real deal k03 for $100-$200.

When my MAF was bad I had a lean code with max 10psi as well though. Id be willing to bet that your maf is bad, but to test if properly you need dealer or vag com diagnostic software.

Im guessing a knock off k03 is just a 3rd party compressor housing cast w/old genuine k03 internals/rebuild kit. But I really have no idea.