We all know the IHI is kind of a turd. They have their issues but you need maintain them to a T to keep it in good shape. Since we have has -20 degree weather this entire winter in Michigan, my turbo started burning oil. About 3 quarts in 3k miles. So A LOT. I think it was due to thicker oil blowing out the gas ring. Since these housings do not have OEM rebuilt kits, I was forced to look for a used one.
I know a few people that have been making, modifying and all out building amazing turbos. (since the 70's anyways). They have done R&D for Precision, FP, made their own turbos, etc... I'm not going to release his information just yet but we have worked out an agreement for me to test one of his new turbos he is specifically designing for a VF39 replacement. He is releasing 5 turbos to a few shops and one for me.
I will post specs and pics once I have them and I receive the turbo. Hopefully the castings will be done this week and I can pick it up next week. He redesigned the housing to eliminate cracking that we all see and he made his own center cartridge that is rebuildable. He will have 2 types of turbos, one that is slightly bigger than the VF39 but still has the same response and another that is larger and capable of making the 400-450whp mark.
Hopefully I will get this thing bolted on and tuned within a few weeks and let you know how it works out. (I may need injectors and a fuel pump depending on how much it flows.)
As for price, who knows at this point. I know we talked about it a little and he said it will be lower than any new turbo or upgraded IHI ones on the market today. I should be a better replacement than having to spend the extra cash to go to a rotated mount setup to get rid of the limitations to the stock IHI setup.
I will update this when I have more information.
UPDATE:
Price $900-1100.
Flow rating, 640cfm. Power rating, 450-480hp.
The difference in spool VS the VF39 is about 300-500 rpm depending on what housing you choose, 8cm or 10cm.
Parts are delayed again for another week. (waiting on the machined inlet housings. They screwed up and machined it to the stock wheel and not the upgraded one.) BOO.
-Joe
:tup::sti:
