I have a B5 with 80,000 miles. I recently had it chipped and Im wondering how long do you think these K03s will last? Right now I would say I dont drive very hard. I mean i'll do a few hard pulls a day but mostly just cruisin. Also, will bigger downpipes increase lifespan for K03s?

 

I wouldn't count on them lasting too long. But, every case is different.

When I bought my car it was and still is mint I baby the hell out of it and it had only 50 k when I APR 93 chipped it, also it's not a daily driver.

Long story short it needed a drivers side turbo before the first chipped oil change.

Like I said earlier, you may have better luck than me.

Downpipes won't make them last longer.

They blow because they are working out of their efficiency range at higher boost and they can't keep up with the volume demand at higher engine rpms and eventually they overspool so many times that the bearings and thrust washers let the shaft wobble too much.

 

Well your at 80k so i would expect it at some point in the future theres no way to give any guess but after 50k the probability of it happening just increases

 

well that sucks. Better start savin some dough for K04s then

 

mmm whats the average cost for rebuilding a k03 + labor around?

i know you can get a brand spanking new set of k04 for 3000 including the pipes and crap. but for people that don't want to go stg III or tight on cash, I think rebuilding is a good option.

 

$700.00 for both rebuilt plus your engine pull labor.
I'm not recommending rebuilding the k03s but if I absolutely had to, I wouldn't chip the car.
The turbos aren't horrible, they just don't like any extra boost over stock pressures.

If you don't have any local rebuilders I highly recommend www.gpopshop.com
for kits or full rebuilds. They are awesome, very prompt and friendly.

 

how much would labor cost to swap to K04s?

 

Maybe someone else knows.

I did my own swap, so mine only cost some blood, beer, time, and a ton of cussing.

I'm sure professional labor varies a little by region though.

 

well you are looking at about 10 hrs of labor so the going rate around you, will set that price. But like Red said i would just do it myself and save the money, plus learn ALOT about how to fix your car.

 

hahah ya Im handicapped in that dept Never fixed one thing on my car. always had to shell out dough for someone else to do it.