I have a 99 si with a LS B18A1 that is built and a Greddy 18g turbo kit. Rhe shaft in the turbo can be wiggled up and down and back and forth with my finger tip so I think the seal in the turbo is gone. I think it is blowing oil through all the intake piping because of this seal because I took of one of the IC pipes and there was oil all over both ends of the pipe and I am getting white/blueish smoke under boost and at idle occassionally. The guy who had the car before me was running with no air filter and I think it pretty much trashed the turbo. I hope nothing else. Anyway, quesiton is about upgrading this turbo since I have to replace it anyway. I have tried to email Greddy and they are about as helpful as a box of rocks. What type of flange do I need to get on the turbo or should I just get a new exhaust manifold too. I would like to get a manifold that moves the turbo farther to the passenger side so I can put a better downpipe on the car without the Greddy elbow that is so restrictive. I live in Georgia so I need my AC. Budget is semi limited but would like a turbo that can make bigger boost. This one craps out around 13 psi and then only holds about 8 or 9 after the spike. Crap internal wastegate probably has a lot to do with this. I do like the mid range power this car has, especially on the interstate and I don't want to loose much of that. I have a buddy with a t60 on his 2000 Si and he has huge lag - I want to avoid that. What kind/size tubo do you guys suggest, manifolds, wastegates, etc...? Just looking for some info. Thanks.

 

If you're upgrading manifolds then you might want a T3 Super 60 or a T3/T04B

Both are nice turbos for your engine and both should uphold the midrange power you're wanting to keep. But that requires you to get a new manifold or an adapter.

 

i think a GT28R/RS has the same inlet flange as the greddy turbos. both are garret t25 flanged if im not mistaken. but then again you said budget and i think a GT28R is like $750 and the RS is like $1100

 

You can get a garrett gt28r/rs as a replacement, but youll probably want to keep the stock elbow, or you can get the turbo rebuilt. Alot of people have made good numbers with the 18g.

 

I have thought about getting a gt28r/rs and just breaking down and spending the money. If I decide not to do that and to get my turbo rebuilt, is there anywhere that will send me a reman'ed turbo and then let me send mine back. This car is my daily driver, so I can't put it down for more than about a weekend. If I decide to get a new manifold, do you have any suggestions for ones that move the turbo farther away from the AC compressor, or anything else that I may be able to do to get better flow on the exhaust side??

 

Also, do you guys have a suggestion for the size of the exhaust housing on the gt28??

 

.82 if your sig is the setup its going on.

 

Also, will the Greddy elbow bold right up to that turbo, or am I going to need some custom work done?? Just wandering what my options are...

 

Yes it should. I will be getting my greddy elbow for my gt28r in a few days, so Ill let you know the fitament of it.

 

it fits

 

Fits straight up...that's awesome. Could I do it in a day or two?? Does it come with all new gaskets for everything?? Where did you order yours and how much did it cost?? My 18g runs out of boost at about 13psi and then falls to between 6 and 8. Did yours do the same and did the Garrett fix that problem?? How you liking it...by the way??

 

I just got the elbow yesterday and it bolted right up to the gt28r (which is what i expected). I have to modify the internal wastegate though coz i reclocked the turbo. I still need to order the outlet gasket. As far as the 18g I run one on my teg and it holds solid until redline. Ive pushed it as high as 18psi and it held till redline.
Sounds like a prob with your 18g. I personally would just get the 18g rebuilt. The gt28r is only good to about 310whp. The 18g has been pushed farther. Ive heard of people making 375whp with them.

 

Problem with getting it rebuilt is it is my daily driver and I can't have the car down for 2 months while it is being rebuilt. I need a direct swap. Which gt28r did you get?? The one I am looking at is the gt2871r which is "supposed" to be good up to 400hp. I will probably get the 18g rebuilt after I get the new turbo on as a backup/spare...I do know the car was run without an air filter for a while and I wonder if the fins are just so chewed up that it can't hold boost. Also were you using the stock internal wastegate or a aftermarket actuator or even an external wastegate?? Everyone says the internal it comes with is crap...anyway...I appreciate the knowledge.

 

I run the internal wastegate. The turbo I bought is just a gt28r. Theres a couple of different models all rated to different power levels, gt28rs, gt2871r and so on. The RS is a really good choice and Im sure the 2871 would be too. There just much more expensive than the gt28r. My car will probably never push 300whp, thats why the gt28r was good for me. If I can get 230-250whp Ill be really stoked. Once I get the car smogged and pick up the water lines Ill go ahead and get it installed and dynoed.