Turbo differences - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

mike the snake · 07-30-2013, 04:05 PM

Can someone please explain to me the differences between the different turbo options for our cars?

I have a good basic knowledge of turbo systems, but I'd like to know things like the differences between precision ballbearing/the other kind of turbos, billet/cast, 50/60 trim, and other things I don't know about.

I'd like to know how these differences would affect my car. Eventually I want to hit 300-350whp.

Do ballbearing turbos last longer, or is it a spool-up thing?

I'm reading about turbo kits, and some come with "nice" turbos, and others come with "cheap" turbos, and I don't know what the differences are, or whether it's worth the extra money to get "nicer" or look at kit pricing if there's not that big of a difference for street use.

Thanks in advance.

mrk1 · 07-30-2013, 04:45 PM

Thats a pretty big question.

-Ball bearings are used to increase spool
-Billet is a different construction method and can be easier for a manufactor to tweak a design rather then the time to construct a new mold for casting. Billet wheels can also be more durable over time in real abusive use. I don't believe there is any amazing performance gain but you get to tell your buddies you have a billet wheel.
-Trim is pretty big discussion on its own. Generally a lower number will spool quicker but not have as much head room. A higher number will have more room up top but not as much down low. Its a trade off as with anything.
-Pricing is again a huge range, a basic technology turbo like a Garrett 50 trim can be had for $750, still good quality but you get a basic journal bearing and cast wheels. "nicer" turbos like the GTX get more expensive. Generally you get what you pay for, used turbos are a crap shoot and Chinese (cheap) ebay units are junk. Prices usually reflect the level of technology in the bearings, wheels, and housings.

just my .02

dabocx · 07-30-2013, 06:11 PM

For that power level you have quite a few options, the gt/gtx28 series can do that easily and can hit 400whp if you want more.

The avo kit can do that as well, its very quick spooling and has the boxer rumble.

FA20 also has a wide variety of options of their turbo kit.

07-30-2013, 04:05 PM	#1
mike the snake Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: 2013 BRZ Location: Norcal Posts: 1,592 Thanks: 1 Thanked 623 Times in 378 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Turbo differences Can someone please explain to me the differences between the different turbo options for our cars? I have a good basic knowledge of turbo systems, but I'd like to know things like the differences between precision ballbearing/the other kind of turbos, billet/cast, 50/60 trim, and other things I don't know about. I'd like to know how these differences would affect my car. Eventually I want to hit 300-350whp. Do ballbearing turbos last longer, or is it a spool-up thing? I'm reading about turbo kits, and some come with "nice" turbos, and others come with "cheap" turbos, and I don't know what the differences are, or whether it's worth the extra money to get "nicer" or look at kit pricing if there's not that big of a difference for street use. Thanks in advance.

07-30-2013, 04:45 PM	#2
mrk1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: Sterling BRZ Ltd Location: New England Posts: 1,702 Thanks: 403 Thanked 1,389 Times in 671 Posts Mentioned: 21 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Thats a pretty big question. -Ball bearings are used to increase spool -Billet is a different construction method and can be easier for a manufactor to tweak a design rather then the time to construct a new mold for casting. Billet wheels can also be more durable over time in real abusive use. I don't believe there is any amazing performance gain but you get to tell your buddies you have a billet wheel. -Trim is pretty big discussion on its own. Generally a lower number will spool quicker but not have as much head room. A higher number will have more room up top but not as much down low. Its a trade off as with anything. -Pricing is again a huge range, a basic technology turbo like a Garrett 50 trim can be had for $750, still good quality but you get a basic journal bearing and cast wheels. "nicer" turbos like the GTX get more expensive. Generally you get what you pay for, used turbos are a crap shoot and Chinese (cheap) ebay units are junk. Prices usually reflect the level of technology in the bearings, wheels, and housings. just my .02 __________________ The Build Thread GT28RS - eBoost2 - 3.91 Final Drive - Supra LSD

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07-30-2013, 06:11 PM	#3
dabocx Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Scion FRS Location: United States Posts: 1,267 Thanks: 564 Thanked 261 Times in 191 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	For that power level you have quite a few options, the gt/gtx28 series can do that easily and can hit 400whp if you want more. The avo kit can do that as well, its very quick spooling and has the boxer rumble. FA20 also has a wide variety of options of their turbo kit.

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