AVO turbo kit for BRZ - initial build thread

[AVOturboworld]

Adjusting the preload (via rod length).

[shaunsweeney]

I do love that you chose the adjustable rod design. So much more efficient for making small boost adjustments.

[AVOturboworld]

That's what we've found over the years - we use the same system on our 15psi wastegate upgrades for the Subaru turbochargers as well.

[shaunsweeney]

I ran 20psi with a similar WGA in my SRT4. It was very strong and infinitely adjustable with just a wrench. Can't beat that.

[AVOturboworld]

In regards to questions about the exhaust manifold:

There is a certain amount of flex in the Subaru header design, it's fairly unique in that it's two separate flanges that are connected up. Inline 4's, 6s, and even the V6's and V8's don't have to deal with that.

So the two flanges not being on a absolutely flat plain is not uncommon unless you went to a cast exhaust manifold. Even then, the Subaru cast manifold has a flex in it. Which has had cracking issues. And that's also what we've discovered over two decades of making and fitting Subaru exhaust manifolds, flex joints will fail.

Furthermore, once the exhaust manifold heat cycles, the pipes are naturally going to start moving. That's inherent to the Subaru design.

We know what the issue is with the leaking gaskets. The issue is that people are re-using their stock standard used gasket, which should be thrown out and replaced with new gaskets. There are many different aftermarket gasket thicknesses out there, and if they are too thick, they'll cause a height distance between the flanges at the exhaust manifold and at the bracket at the turbo that mounts to the block, which can pull the exhaust manifold up to 4mm. As a consequence, we will be supplying future kits with new exhaust manifold gaskets to make sure this won't happen.

Current customers of our kits, if they've fit a Grimmspeed or similar extra-thick gasket, they will need to put a washer between the turbo-side bracket and the block to space it out correctly so that it's not pulling down on the exhaust manifold.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by AVOturboworld

We know what the issue is with the leaking gaskets. The issue is that people are re-using their stock standard used gasket, which should be thrown out and replaced with new gaskets.

Hmmm... I remember when I bought my kit that was recommended.. "Yea, you re-use your stock gaskets"...


Funny thing also is that for other kits (A.K.A FBM, FA20Club, etc.), lots of users also re-used their stock gaskets and have no leaks whatsoever....

Thinking back, I find it even funnier that I was the one who recommended upgrading to the Subaru Turbo gaskets and included the part number in the first post of the owners topic page. :facepalm:

[Drift-Office]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

Hmmm... I remember when I bought my kit that was recommended.. "Yea, you re-use your stock gaskets"...

Unless my customers specify, I reuse most of them since they're new anyway. You don't hear of leaks or us addressing those here or anywhere, so I suppose if it was done right the first time, I don't think that's an issue.

Now if I were to do a release day FRS / BRZ from 2012 now, I would of course think twice about that, but this is where common sense should prevail yeah?

Cheers!


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Drift-Office

Unless my customers specify, I reuse most of them since they're new anyway. You don't hear of leaks or us addressing those here or anywhere, so I suppose if it was done right the first time, I don't think that's an issue.

Now if I were to do a release day FRS / BRZ from 2012 now, I would of course think twice about that, but this is where common sense should prevail yeah?

Cheers!


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC

Totally agreed sir. I'm not trying to be the A-hole, I just honestly still believe there is an issue with the manifold.


There are not 150 installs in this page. There are far less, but I count between 10-15 with exhaust manifold issues in the forum only.

My only purpose here is for AVO to do something, either implement a quality control that all manifold flanges are measured to be flat or come up with a solution to assure it doesn't happen again.

But blaming it on using the stock gaskets (which other kits use with zero issues) is not the answer IMHO.

At one point it was also implied it was customers who installed it in their garage that mostly have a problem.. Well, that is one of he strong selling points of the kit, easy to install in your garage...

[AVOturboworld]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

Funny thing also is that for other kits (A.K.A FBM, FA20Club, etc.), lots of users also re-used their stock gaskets and have no leaks whatsoever....

And we've had many users that have re-used the stock gaskets without issue as well. But since a few have had issues, we are going to supply new gaskets with the kit to make sure there isn't an issue.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by AVOturboworld

And we've had many users that have re-used the stock gaskets without issue as well. But since a few have had issues, we are going to supply new gaskets with the kit to make sure there isn't an issue.

FINALLY!!! All I wanted to hear... something being done to correct an issue... I wish it would have come sooner but better late than never.

[qtwre]

Originally Posted by AVOturboworld

We know what the issue is with the leaking gaskets. The issue is that people are re-using their stock standard used gasket, which should be thrown out and replaced with new gaskets. There are many different aftermarket gasket thicknesses out there, and if they are too thick, they'll cause a height distance between the flanges at the exhaust manifold and at the bracket at the turbo that mounts to the block, which can pull the exhaust manifold up to 4mm. As a consequence, we will be supplying future kits with new exhaust manifold gaskets to make sure this won't happen.

Which gasket will you be supplying? Just the standard one that is already on the car, or something like the turbo Forester gasket? Having just bought my kit last week and not yet installed it, I'm obviously missing this new piece but I'd like to make sure I'm getting this kit set up right.

[JP]

Why not use slip joints in the manifold if you have problems with flex bellows? Like Tomei, GTspec etc

[vinnie86gt]

Anyone using the Avo turbo kit with an OFT Tablet for tuning??

[troek]

the only forced induction OFT supports is the electric super charger. however the others are in the works.