Today's prize for worst-designed and least-informative product web site goes to: frankenturbo.com

So what exactly IS a FrankenTurbo? Is it a K04 with the compressor housing from a K03s? Or some other combination? The word "hybrid" seems to imply a combination of parts from 2 or more different products, but I can't find any info on what those products actually are. All I can learn is that the FrankenTurbo is ceramic-coated, which is nice. There's a list of specifications on their product page, but without knowing where the components are from, there's no way to know if those are improvements over the base products.

Is it ported? Does it have any other modifications to make it stand out from a regular K04?

And the exhaust manifold that's included with their kit, is that an existing product from elsewhere? Or is it a different one that FrankenTurbo has designed?

I've made all the standard web searches for this information, but I cannot find it

Let me try to answer your questions with another question: why does it matter? Is your end-goal to use information based on other components (K03s compressor side/K04 turbine side) to create a perception of the FrankenTurbo that you are comfortable with?
Or perhaps you're trying to see if you can source similar individual components elsewhere to reduce costs, while maintaining FrankenTurbo-like performance?

From my perspective, it is what it is. It works.

Quick Google search brought me this:
frankenturbo k04?

The manifold is a similar style to the ATP and 034 manifolds, but is ceramic coated and slotted at the ports to allow better longevity. I've never seen or heard of another source for this manifold.

If you email FrankenTurbo, Doug may reveal some additional information you are looking for. He's a good guy, and has been instrumental in me owning the FrankenTurbo kit and running it for over 13 months.

Because I like to know what I'm buying. The statement "it just works" is not acceptable. I'm considering many choices for the near future, and making a solid plan based on informed decisions is how I prefer to do things. I've been working with forced induction engines for over a decade, and I'm well-versed enough that I can come to a conclusion based on actual specs. The link you provided to a more thorough description of the modifications done to the FrankenTurbo is very helpful, thanks.

I've read your FrankenTurbo thread from beginning to end, and many things concerned me about it. For instance the fitment of the turbo on the included manifold sitting lower than stock, causing some of the lines to not fit as well and the exhaust to not line up right. And the decentered gasket hole in the exhaust manifold. Those are just some of the examples. For this reason, I was wondering if another aftermarket manifold might be acceptable for use with the FrankenTurbo.

From Frankenturbo's website:


Material Specifications:

Inconel 713C alloy steel Turbine rotor
42CrMo High-Strength cast alloy shaft
360 deg alloy Thrust Bearing
Si-Mo cast iron turbine housing (1000 deg C) woth dual-coat ceramic thermal layer
Product assembly performed to OEM Specs by BorgWarner OEM supplier

As I understand things, the cold side is the same as a K04, but uses a different turbine wheel and larger turbine housing. You can use any exhaust mani that's flanged for the KKK (3 bolt) turbine housing. The FT mani uses roughly the same mounting location as the OEM manifold, so you can use OEM-fit exhaust bits with a little fiddling. Some people have had issues with the FT mani and the nuts/bolts/studs that hold everything together backing out. Some people have tried using locking flanges, ARP fasteners, etc with mixed results. Unfortunately there aren't a TON of options for KKK flanged high flow manifolds.

Really though what is the matter with what's in it? Its a modified kkk turbo at a fair price offering performance. If you want something that will fit perfectly and look completely professional without modification, get an Apr kit. You say you've been into forced induction for a decade so I'm sure you know that when modifying a vehicle, modification may be required. But on a serious note, whatever the website says is probably all the info you'll get. People keep trade secrets for a reason.

Nothing, I just didn't know what was in it and how it differed from a stock K04. Now I know and can make a more informed decision.

My years of experience in forced induction involve pickup truck turbodiesels and supercharged V6's. This is my first small 4-cylinder turbo. I can look at a turbo's specs and figure out where it will most likely excel and stutter given a performance range, but I'm not familiar with all of the currently available options. Therefore I'm inquiring.

How is this a bad thing? I didn't disparage the product in any way, I simply pointed out some concerns that others mentioned in other threads. Mostly because the product interests me, and I'd like to avoid these potential pitfalls if at all possible.

I DID disparage the FT web site, though... that's some bad juju.

Many people have run this turbo for several years and I haven't heard of any issues do to mechanical failure or the inferiority of the product. The big problem for the first year or two was a lack of a tune specific to a turbo of that size, since it was kind of in between

I hear you on that, I have a really hard time spending money without being totally satisfied with what my money can get for me. My decision process ultimately led to FT for these reasons:
-stock-like fitment (in CA, laws are tough and i didn't want some top-mount turbo that would attract extra attention from police)
-still uses stock-fit exhaust and coolant/oil lines
-spools early! I hit full boost (~22psi) by about 2800 RPM. This car is my daily driver and in CA we have LOTS of traffic. I can't be waiting for 3500+ RPM to hit full boost.
-fantastic torque, nice and early.
-great price point
-still can get 30mpg on the highway at 72mph, but have great passing power even in 5th gear
-etc

1) I would be willing to bet that the other stock-fit manifolds (ATP, 034) have a similar issue where the turbo sits slightly lower than stock. If they didn't then they likely wouldn't be able to flow much more than the stock manifold at the collector. Exhaust will line up slightly different, but will still line up with slight tweaking. IMO this shouldn't be a detractor (compared to other manifolds) especially considering the FT manifold is less likely to crack than the other log-style manifolds.

2) Nobody else reported the gasket alignment issue I have, and many other FrankenTurbo kits have sold. This is definitely something you can check right away after you pull the turbo/manifold out of the box, and if it is an issue I'm sure Doug would make it right. Though I do wish I had known to check for this issue prior to initial installation.

Excuse for my ignorance but I really didn't read much of the other post as they are too technical for me. Although, I think to make an easier decision, why not base your decision on peoples feedback and testimony of between products?

Again I'm not too technical with all this though... I just think that other people's review on the frankenturbo has been positive over other products and should be quite influential on what u decide.

Because everyone's needs and expectations are different. I wasn't looking for information about the product's quality, but rather its suitability for my own specific needs.