Well, I promised to show you guys pics, but I realized that pictures are decieving. So, I matched it up against a comparable turbo you guys are used to seeing, a Garrett T3/04e .57 trim .63 a/r. The GT30 is a .52 trim, and .82 a/r, and dual ball bearing on top of that.











More pics are at http://www.vapor-trail.net/gtpics/

As you can see, there is a noticable difference between the turbos. The GT30 looks to be a much larger turbo - in fact, it's really not. The GT30 uses a massive inlet, which tapers down, to act as an air horn of sorts. This makes the housing itself look larger, when in fact it's nearly the same size. The outlet is slightly larger, measuring a tad bit more than 2 inches internal diameter, while the .57 trim measures slightly under 2 inches internally. Externally, the outlet looks much larger than that, because of it's flared exit (this is why pictures are decieving).

On the exhaust side, the .57 trim uses an 11 blade wheel, while the GT30 uses a 10 blade wheel. This is due to the bigger a/r of the GT30. The center section is actually smaller in width. One could theorize that this smaller center section, and its accompanied shorter shaft, would be more resiliant to thrust loads, which are already offset by the dual ball bearing cartridge. Both improve reliability dramatically, and aids tremendously in spool time.

What can't be seen in these pics I can only tell you about, b/c it has to be witnessed personally. Just spinning the blades is enough to tell a huge difference. While the .57 trim spins easily (as a brand new unused turbo should), the GT30 spins far more easily, and spins much longer after you are done turning it. There is far less resistance to turning it by hand versus the .57 trim. Finally, for those of you who are total nit pickers, the actual casting of the housings are of much higher quality. This means for you neat freaks, polishing of the compressor housing is much easier.

Just thought i would illustrate the difference, for anyone wondering.

 

Lucky *** bastard. John you gonna be around in the beginning of august? im trying to get **** together and come see you now i got that damn clutch installed.

 

I might be in TX for a short time, but yeah I'll be around to tune ya up if needed.

 

Yummy!!!
Hopefully my d16 will move up from being bottlefed to forcefeb via a nice turbo?

 

very cool, thanks man but i think i can only afford the t3/04e. I think thats the turbo i'm getting unless i win the lottery. thanks

 

yes, i know they are not cheap. But I know that some people were like me and were wondering : Just what is the difference? So that's why I made this post. Whether or not it's worth the price difference is up to you.

This was going to be MY turbo, but a close friend who was on the fence about it bought it off me on the spot today as soon as he saw it. As a mechanical engineer and noted boost junkie, he immediately appreciated the benefits, and jumped on it. So, soon, I'll be able to post up a dyno graph showing you the difference between the GT30 .52 trim .82 a/r and a Garrett T3/04e .50 trim .63 a/r on a SR20det S13. This car is already producing 371hp at 20 psi, using a log style manifold, blitz intercooler, stock ecu, Tomei 555cc injectors, SAFC and a Z32 maf sensor. We will be installing this turbo and not changing boost levels, to see the exact difference. I'm looking forward to a nice improvement up top, and almost identical spool times. We are still running stock cams and a GReddy surge tank intake manifold, so the improvement up top will only be as much as the stock cams can support, so don't expect miracles.

By the way, anyone fitting this on a Honda - you won't have to shave away anymore of the block than what you normally would for a T3/04e

 

what about the GT35R
can you tell me about those bad boys !!
Willing and able to purchase but need to do some research .

 

Nice snail Vaps.

GT30 is TO4S (60-1)/T3 based. HKS= 3037/3037S/3037PRO/3040/3240
GT35 is T04R (62-1)/T3 and straight T4 based. HKS = GT3540

The HKS turbos sometimes have slight different trims and wheel designs.

 

hmm...so a gt30 is similar to a 60-1/t3? gt30 will put a teg into 10s then rite?

 

I was about to say, the GT30 looks very similiar to my 60-1 as far as housing size and inlet/outlet sizes. Wish my 60-1 was BB though


[Modified by boostaholic, 1:05 PM 7/24/2002]

 

nice! now i want one..but too much $$ for one of them right now


[Modified by SiRkid, 3:04 PM 7/24/2002]

 

mmmmm I think i might go this now, looks like an amazing turbo. I need to call mark about getting this on my kit asap.

 

heh heh, we knew somebody would say something about that. Thats the fan we use on the dyno for intercoolers. Closest thing you can get to actual air flow

 

I was going to say, I could trade you my 3/4 for your GT30 and help you compare the differences!

 

How much do these run?where can i order it from? i'm thinking about re doing my turbo system..

 

with the current exchange rate, these turbos go for 1500 and shipping, and they can be purchased through me

 

wow maybe if i win the lottery i'll redo my setup with that turbo

 

Just to add to your pictures:

My Old T3/T4 vs New GT30

 

Nice post VaporTrail! Now to wipe the drool off my keyboard...

 

you sure that's a GT30?

That looks BIGGER then the hT3/T4, as VaporTrails seem the same size?

 

i think its the angle of the pics which makes it look big, it looks exactly like my turbo

 

BTW, VaporTrail....do you have any pics of the GT25?

I'm looking to get this turbo next summer for my new motor.

 

i dont have any pics currently of the gt25's

 

How do you fit a filter on that sucker lol I guess you just you a screen.

 

4 inch coupler, 4 inch pipe, 4 inch diameter filter Or if you are not creative, a mesh filter (spaghetti strainer) can work in a pinch.