Hey all,

Engine spec is
UK B16a2
Stock B18c head (our teg type r)
Kings main and big end bearings
Eagle rods
Wiseco 10.0.1 pistons
Honda head gasket
Arp head stud and nut kit

Im been searching for the right turbo, but for whatever reason, UK builds and US builds seem to give very different power outputs.
Im going to run a GoAuto mini ram mani, and am leaning towards the 5431e.

Im aiming for 400whp and its a street driven car with a bit of track action too (circuit stuff)

However on my searching Ive found several horror stories of Precisions failing early, but that that seems to be generally down to no additional oil restrictor being fitted and also these reports arent as common now as they were a few years back.

Is it worth the gamble?

Thanks in advance

 

Look for the turbonetics options they offer. Precision ball bearing are good. Precision Journal bearings handle 1-2 years as average in Greece.
After that they crap.

 

If possible I'd try to get something from the Garrett T series (journal bearing) or BorgWarner S200X series over the Precision.

 

A 5431E is a good cost effective (sub $800) match for the power/performance goal and motor setup while retaining good spool characteristics. Another great option there would be the Turbonetics TNX 30 in journal bearing, T3. Garrett classic T series would fall in that same price category (a little cheaper...but doesn't have any of the newer "aero tech")

 

BW S252 SX-E in T3 gets my vote .
Problem for us non-US residents is that sending a Precision unit back to them for repair ends up costing almost as much as purchasing a new unit.

Turbonetics traditionally also had good reliability but I haven't used their products in years.

For circuit stuff ideally you'd actually want a ball-bearing turbo for the quicker transient response and boost recovery. Garrett GT/GTX is you best bet on that front but obviously much more expensive.

 

Im just looking at the BW.
What size AR would you suggest?
Comes in .43 which I guess would be too small, so .63 or .75 or .81.
I assume anything bigger is too big.

Thanks

 

I think you meant 0.48, which when factoring in the large turbine wheel (compared to a GT30 for example) might just be the right fit considering your 1.6 litre capacity.
@TheShodan will be able to provide some more insights here into the flow capability (power potential) of the BW 70mm turbine wheel paired with either the 0.48 or 0.63 turbine housing.

I'd say the 0.63 would be the absolute max size, otherwise you'll experience significant lag. On the 'old school' T3/T4 turbos, the 0.48 stage 3 turbine combination was popular on B16A's from what I recall. The Stage 3 turbine is about 5mm smaller compared to the BW but the BW has overall smaller compressor wheel dimensions and more advanced aero vs the T04E and T04B family.

 

.63 is still preferable for a b16, as a .48 a/r housing will definitely choke the top end, which is really what the b16 is all about anyways.

 

You right and the B16A you can spin to 9000rpm all day without any concerns - which will still give a good powerband.