It seems that the GT series is far superior to turbonetics Ball-bearing turbos. My question is how do the turbonetics turbo sizes (T3/T4, T4, T4/60-1) relate to the Garret sizes. Is the GT35R like the T4 or 60-1. Also it seems the GT35R is the best sized turbo for the 3.0 liter maxima. Where would it begin to spool and reach full boost(8-10psi)? Also, the GT series are water cooled, is this good, or more things to hassle with or what?

 

Not concrete set in stone, but *IMO*, I'd say:

T3/T4--->GT30R Quick as hell spool street turbo...2500-3500rpm
T4------>GT35R Good spool street/track turbo...3500-4500rpm
T4/60-1->GT35/40R Track turbo...4000+rpm

Water cooled is a must for the DBB and it pretty much extends turbo life beyond 100K where as you were lucky to get 60K with the T-series. OEMs are using water cooled now.

 

Oh forgot, my pick is a hybrid:

GT30/35R, ie GT30 compressor w/GT35 turbine.

Not available as part of the standard lineup, but will be or HKS probably makes an equivalent for more $$$.

 

GT turbos are superior quality turbos, but according to someone who has one he did not like it I know I am more then happy with the one that I have.


Felt so good to pull on a C5 vette last night and put over 2 car lengths on him @ 12PSI

 

Hey you busy tomorrow night?.. the Lexus folks are getting with the BENZ folks.. should be a CL55, E320, others, and maybe an E-55.. OH HELL YEAH

BTW.. I got parts on the way

I'll need that "other" part from you soon

edit A few cars

Supercharged IS300
Supercharged GS400
2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6
Turbocharged GS300
G35 coupe
'02 CLK55 AMG
Supra Turbo T61

 

what time?

 

Leaving at 745ish

Meeting in buckhead at 830ish.. meeting the benz folks at 10ish

 

so would the GT series be worth the extra money or should i just stick to a regular garret or turbonetics?

 

That's a *BIG* question and varies according to who you talk too.

IMO, the turbo is the most important part of the kit, so you should buy the BEST turbo you can "afford". Personally, I'd skimp on bling bling gauges/EBC inorder to get a GT true DBB turbo vs. a Turbonetics SINGLE BB turbo. I'd take a Turbonetics BB turbo over a T-series though.

 

Alex it aint as simple as just buying a GT DBB turbo. Start adding up the costs and then come back and say that you'd still want that turbo.

The shiet adds up quick, Ive put the best of the best on my car (except the turbo) and the stuff adds up more than you can imagine. You say you'd skip on bling bling gauges, well you still going to NEED gauges. If you buy the cheap autometer gauges, you still looking at over 300-400 in gauges. Add J&S, eManage, Boost Controller, ..... should I keep going? Not to mention the plumbing for a water cooled turbo using Stainless Braided lines, and AN fittings.

You'd be well over 10,000 if you wanted the best of the best. And $10,000 for a turbo kit and stuff for a maxima to me is straight pointless. Yea to each is their own, but thats just my opinion with now being out of the game.

Dixit

 

I hear ya Dixit and I've priced it out SEVERAL times...but IMO I won't bother until I have all the pieces.

I don't want the "best of the best", just the best turbo/IC money can buy...at least in reason, which IMO $1500 for the turbo and $1K for the IC are.

 

Yea but having a great turbo and IC means nothing if the piping isnt done right or made correctly. If you have HAL make your piping, then your $2500 turbo/ic is now nothing but a leafblower you bought at Lowes.

Turbo has many many aspects of which Ive fully mastered and understand now. if I had to pick, right now PFI's piping is probably the best one out. Yea some people say its not easy to install, but what aint. But then again I would make my own set since Ive done that a few times already.

BTW, Turbonetics BB turbos are not as bad as people make them seem. Jaime just called me and said he put down 350+whp on just 10psi. Do the math on that.

Dixit

 

Correct me if im wrong but i just looked at turbonetics site and a Ball Bearing TO4E is $1,500, the GT35R is around that price also. It seems then the only diffrence in cost would be the money for the water cooling lines. Also would it be worth the ball bearing at all. I read on a Supra site that Ball bearing is a definite yes for realability when your boosting around 20psi or more, but not really needed at lower boosts such as what we would be running, and the spool up is only slightly faster, is this true?

 

I agree Dixit...I never said skimp on piping, since honestly piping is the cheap part. As long as you get a PFI kit to start with and sell the T-series or pay extra which Nigel or SSR said was possible, then get the pipe ends bead rolled, and are prepared to customize to fit properly, that's a good start and wouldn't end up being too expensive IMO.

I said "buy the best that you can afford", ie according to your "budget". My opinion is that I wouldn't bother unless the budget included the two items I feel are most important. There are lots of OTHER corners to cut, ie forgo the EBC, TT, fancy gauges/BOV/etc., and use eManage for tuning/timing.

Turbonetics aren't that bad yes...but they're not worth the savings IMO. Peak power between Garrett DBB, Turbonetics, or Garrett T-series isn't the reason I'd go GT-series. It's efficiency and reliability. Not just 10x turbo bearing life, but the heat induced into the engine and it's ultimate life. Paying $1K less just isn't worth IMO once you've spent that much.

Again, just my opinion, but *IF* I ever go turbo, which I doubt, no doubt which route I'd chose. Plus, GTs are getting cheaper, so by then, who knows how small the difference will be.

 

Pretty sure you can get a netics SBB for half that if you look hard enough. GTs cost around that or more.

As for the benefits of a GT BB series, read starting here:
http://turbobygarrett.com/turbobygar...ics_index.html