turbo prices

[86grandnat.]

I have been contemplating on what to do with my turbo situation for some time now. The turbo went out on my car when I pretty much bought it (last year) and is only getting worse. Its dumping oil into the exhaust causing it to smoke ALL the time!!! I found out today I can get it rebuilt for $450 or just buy a new factory one for just over $800, these are Canadian prices. I was wondering if that sounds right, cause I have been looking at the gt3255e's for some time now, but didn't know if the extra $$$$ was worth it. I only want my car to run in the 12's for now, but who knows in the future seeing how its only my cruiser. Any help on the subject is greatly appreciated!

 

[jhef83]

I've got a Hot Rod issue from 1986 that's got an article on rebuilding a turbo.Says if you can rebuild a carb, a turbo is a piece of cake. I have no idea what a kit costs. Not all turbos are rebuildable though.

 

[corsair231]

I just got finished rebuilding my TE60 with a kit from Limit Engineering. The cost with shipping was less than $90 US. It was super easy with the only really tough part being removing the compressor nut. It was left hand thread and it was very difficult to hold the turbine end tight enough to break it loose. I found an exploded diagram and a parts list on the web that I used as a reference and there is a pretty good step-by-step article on www.gnttype.org web site. From what I understand, unless it is seized up or there is enough shaft play to allow one of the wheels to contact the housing the turbo should be able to be rebuilt. I think they even offer oversized bearing kits but that would require machine shop services. If you wanted to up grade there is just about always a turbo or two on e-bay that may be able to be had for a reasonable amount. Of course with e-bay it is buyer beware and I would definitely contact the seller before bidding. With a little luck you could have a freshly rebuilt upgraded turbo for much less than the $450 wanted by the rebuilder and you could use the money saved to help upgrade the injectors and chip.

 

[Haynesie]

once you take it apart its becomes aparant how easy it would be to rebuild it