So as you may know I am in the process of installing a bigger turbo on my Liberty. I was offered a bigger one cheaply that had been rebuilt but after a short period of time that turbo was having issues, when it wa taken out there was a lot of end play but without any side play. This seemed like a bit of a mystery to me and i know some of you may know why thus had occurred but I didn't and I am sure some of you aren't aware of the reason either.. I spoke at length with a well known turbo builder who has workshops in Sydney and melbourne areas and he explained that the turbo received all this end play because it had been put onto a car that didn't have the supporting mods... It probably didn't have...a HIGH FLOW air filter, nice big silicone inlet hoses, a free flowing IC and a silicone IC to inlet manifold hose... Without these free flowing hoses etc that allow the turbo to easily get the amount of air it was capable of supplying the fan (can't think of correct name atm) was actually pulling itself and the shaft out of the cartridge in the direction of the air flow like a planes propellor pulls the plane forward.. Similarly the exhaust fan van also push the shaft and both fans forward if it can get rid of the exhaust gases fast enough because the downpipe is unable to cope because it may have still had a stock downpipe. Once explained this all made sense as to why this newly built turbo is wasting away on a workshop shelf because it has basically tried to pull itself apart starving for air ..
So.. onto my completed list of goodies already either on my bench or in the mail, I just added a K&N high flow air filter.. Part number is 33-2304-3 ... the last -3 is the HIGH FLOW one.. it is different to the normal 33-2304 .. It's just another thing I have learnt today.. So.. now I have all the hardware.. I think I have done well so far as I have only spent $1850 in total for all 3 KOBE Japan Silicone hoses (2 biggest ones brand new and one 2nd hand IC to intake manifold), an AVO style intercooler in excellent condition, a Megan Racing S/Steel bellmouth downpipe and a fully rebuilt with Genuine IHI parts but never installed VF 52 with 6 months warranty, and a High Flow K&N air filter.
Now all I need is some patients and a tuner that can bring all these together after I install it all. Can't wait to hear and drive it. I have been wanting to do this for 2 years but the time just wasn't right. The way it has all come together now with the awesome prices and helpful people in the Subi community have shown me that when the time is right things just start falling into place. I am suspecting that these mods will take it from 130(+-) to 180+ on a 15-16lb boost. May need fuel pump and Injs but we'll wait and see..
Any recommendations for a good tuner in or around Brisbane please let me know..Will need the auto tuned as well..