Ok started buying up my bits for a Turbo conversion, but keep seeing things like

"minimal play in shaft" etc,

Can someone explain what they mean by this?

Last thing i want is having to keep buying replacement turbos

 

take the boost hose off (if its still on the car) and you will see the shaft with the impellor on it, you should be able to just move it about on the bearings but anymore actual movement and it made need an overhual,

 

the more play in the turbo shaft the more worn the turbo is; i believe it to be the bearings in the turbo which give the play

side to side movement (few mm) is fairly common place in most used turbos, so as long as its minimial dont be over concerned

if you can move the shaft in and out of the turbo (Pull towards you and back in again) then steer well clear.

Generally all turbos will need a rebuild at some point during their life; due to their purpose. Just try and find one that has documented evidence of being rebuilt

 

Ok hopefully that will help in making a good choice

 

With today's petrol prices advice on buying a turbo is simply, Don't.

 

I got a nice big juicy wage packet increase to help combat that

 

Buy new then, that way you won't have any worries .

 

I agree with Mike if you just want to buy once and know its ok, even if you know what you are looking for you have no chance of identifying if a turbo will smoke or not unless its on a car.

 

Make sure your turbo is an exact match to your spec of engine 1st then check for play in the shaft.

However i would also only buy new you get exactly what it says on the tin.

 

i was looking at going to an rs breaker for one, been speaking to ashfield motorsport and they said they can do a T3 w/acutator for £174