What turbo do i buy?

I know these threads get created a lot but i can’t find a new-ish one. I’ve done a ton of reading on here, on other forums, Facebook, watched YouTube, but i still feel like i could use some help.

The turbo on my 2010 shit the bed after 127,xxx miles. I’ve had the car since new, bought it in October 2009. She’s almost 10 years old!

Both the compression and leak down test i did this weekend look great. I have only a few bolt ons currently. Corksport test pipe, fuel pump internals and some old ass intake they don’t even sell anymore. Go fast bits bov/bpv at 100% recirc. Cobb AP V3. Eibach pro springs and Koni Oranges.

I was going to buy a used turbo but fuck it. I want to try to do this right without worrying about whether or not i got a bad used part.

I want to build the motor in the future and probably buy a new turbo then too. Like a 6466 or a gtx3582. So I don’t expect to keep this new turbo forever. For that reason i was considering a BNR S3. Moderate jump in performance with a higher ceiling than a k04. I’m also not close to reaching what the k04 was capable of so until the cars fully bolted a S3 should be fine.

But, a S4 or Corksport cst4 will give me more head room with the ability to get more out of the turbo after the motors built. I’ve read posts where people are like, if you’re thinking about a s3 get a s4. That way i could sit on that turbo for longer than i would a S3. But i think i need more supporting mods for these turbos when i install them. Have Corksport corrected the overboosting issues i keep reading about?

Then i go crazy and I’m like, what about S5s and cst 5s. Where do these turbos fit? What do it dooooooo

Then there’s GTX28s and 30s. I figure these turbos are just too expensive right now to justify buying them knowing I’m planning on replacing them.

I drive about 90 miles a day, mostly highway. On ramp pulls is my morning coffee. So I’m mostly building for that fun and highway pulls. So I think Laggy is ok. I’ve always tried to baby the car though. No 5th or 6th gear pulls. I’m only running 16 psi and i won’t turn that up until i buy the flowing mods to support it. I know the car needs a new 3.5” intake, exhaust, MAF, ebcs, occ and a new intercooler and i plan on getting those things over the next year.

I just have to buy a turbo ASAP so i can start driving the car again.

So, i know this is a dumb subjective question but what turbo do i buy?

 

All of them!

 

Buy a refurb k04.

Buy your supporting mods before a bigger turbo.

 

Depends on how much power you want and how big your wallet is

 

As I'm sure you know... any turbo other than a k04 will require a tune. So be prepared to tune it yourself, or get together with a tuner.

Virtually any turbo is going to give you more top end than the k04.

Just remember that the bigger you go, the slower the response from the turbo will be. If you go too big, the car will feel sluggish right off the line until the turbo gets into its efficiency range.

 

Get a used k04 for like 200 bucks if you need to get back on the road asap. Unless you want to go aux fueling, you're going to be stuck at the S4 level as far as turbos go.

 

Thanks for the responses.

I have it down to a S3 and a Corksport turbo. CST4.

Does anyone know if Corksport has come out with a v2 of their turbo?

 

Yes there is a V2 of the CS. the V1 (which I was using) had way too small of a wastegate and hit 24 psi with the wastegate held open in 70* weather. Unacceptable. The V2 has a larger wg which supposed eliminates the issue I had.

I would do the S3

 

Yea, S3 seems to be the consensus. Thank you

 

Bnrs3 or gtx2871r and a good tune you'll be loving your car. BNR also remans k04s

 

I'm getting the same ideas of wanting a turbo. I installed a catless downpipe and hated it! I know it has to come back off,but should be easier. I think theres only 4 more bolts but those should be easier.

 

@Rgurleyjr For the ms3s uninstalling aftermarket DPs is much easier than doing even an intake

 

What are you smoking, intakes are pretty easy I'd take one of those any day over installing a DP.

 

Aftermarket catless dp you lift the car up remove 7 easily accessible bolts 15 minutes..

 

cp-e-nis downpipe was stupid easy to remove thanks to that indent where the dreaded 5th stud is

 

Fun starts tomorrow

 

Woot BNR!!!

 

Good choice! I've been on an s3 for 17k miles now and it's been great to me. will be sad to see it go later this year for bigger