Old subject that I hope has new answers....

We all know the performance potential of the Garrett turbos. Lots has been said about the short life spans of these turbos. What has been done to solve the problem?

What do you have and how many miles with or without failure?

THIA

 

Are you talking about Garrett modified KKK non ball bearing turbos. AKA my turbos???

 

No.

I am talking about the ball bearing turbos.

 

I thought that the modified kkks have the ball bearings inside( ie. garetts internals)???
its usually a k16 hot side and anything from k24 all the way up to k27 cold side.

 

One of my best friends works for honeywell turbo technologies (aka Garrett). They make nice turbos, but by his admission KKK are better for Porsche applications.

This statement is backed up by my local independent tech.

 

In what regard? Life span?

 

Yes but these hybrids and or modifed turbos are very different and(usually) specific to the ( GIAC ECU) application. its a combination of both- Garett and KKK technology. they use the KKK housing cause they fit the stock headers...

 

Any car that has a map and EFI will be specific with the programming and the turbos. Few cars can you just slap a turbo on and expect it to work. Only CIS can you get away with that and only so far.

Turbos will last if you take care of them. Proper cool downs....

 

Thanks Stephen.

I understand that all turbos must be taken care of and fed the proper fuel. All thing being equal do the ball bearing cartridges have a resonable life span? Any guess as to the ratio? 1/2 the life of the KKK?

 

You can get Garrett ball bearing turbos to work quite well if you change out all the factory plumbing. It actually yields some impressive results. Just ask Todd @ Protomotive.

 

u mean the rubber hoses.... what about the metal splitter going into the turbos( blue hose with metal from FVD).

 

Those are all re-done to hard piping as well.

 

With sufficient lubrication and proper cooldown procedure, I dont see how longevity would an issue.

 

On what basis?

 

Has ANYONE with ballbearing turbos had a failure ????
(non fod related)

Kind of supprised since so much has been speculated about durabilty.