Turbo Update: TD04? TD035? Whats it all mean?

[LeeHammy]

I cant help but wonder why spend $750 to fix a leaky turbo (***) and get it tuned when you can buy a new one for $290 and free shipping from China on Ebay?

(***turbos leak because the seals are worn and the seals only wear if the bearings are worn and unless you rebuild the entire turbo with honing out and installing over sized bearings so the new seal doesn't fail there is no point in replacing the seals***)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TF035-12T-TD04- ... 1c&vxp=mtr

Yes I know its is from China but how bad can it be? Even if you take your new $290 turbo to a turbo specialist and get them to swap the bearings for better ones and check it over for flaws and that might cost an additional $200 or $300 you are still cheaper and you now have a spare...

Thoughts.. because I am stumped... this seems far to simple for it to not have a catch?

[jessef]

no catch

try and get one from Taiwan and not China. The casings tend to be better reviewed across the board.

We bought a few Garret copies to toss on our Safari's under the $300 mark from ebay.

One thing that is imperative: have the cartridge along with the impeller/shaft balanced at a pro shop.

That is the source/complaint of cheap turbo copies failing. It's not the components. It's the initial setup and it crucial.

[LeeHammy]

Good info thanks. The more I read on forums the more I see that people are swapping out their TF035 compressor and replacing it with a TD04 compressor from a WRX. Giving them better boost and spool up etc. Not sure about this but most UK forums say you can do that or go to a http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kinugawa-Turboc ... c4&vxp=mtr

I mention this because if its worth doing its worth overdoing and doing better. Anyone ever tried upgrading their turbo like this?

Ball bearings over sleeve?

[LeeHammy]

OK so I have some things sorted out but now I am confused. (the more you know the more you realize you don't know)
ENGINE: Difference between a 4M40 and 4M40T?

TURBO: Difference between a TD035 and TD04?
What does 15T mean as in TD04-15T 12T etc...
What does H mean as in TD04H or TD04H-15T?

uggh...

[jessef]

There are many variations of the TD04.

Here in Canada/US the most popular application is the 3000GT/Stealth.

Read here: http://www.stealth316.com/2-turboguide.htm

One spools faster, while the other flows better. Exhaust housing/intake/exhaust flanges/actuator housing vary from one to another as well.

Not all TD04's will bolt onto your 4M40 exhaust manifold. Take your stock compress/exh sizing and match it to what you want out of the upgrade turbo. Do you want it to spool up faster (great for city driving) - loosing top pull or do you want it to spool later (great for highway driving) - loosing low pull.

You can't have both, so pick what you would like first and then go from there.

Example

(A) Inducer ø mm’s
(B) Full ø mm’s
(C) Tip width mm’s
(D) Total Hub Length
(E) No. of Blades
A B C D E
TD04-15G 43.37 56.01 5.41 22.0 12
TD04-15T 42.00 56.02 5.38 26.2 12

Before you go off and buy a turbo, I suggest to visit/call ADP in Port Kells and go over your options. Turbo's are their life so they know what they are talking about.

http://www.mitsubishi-engine.com/REV/s/aftermarket

ADP distributors
18940 94th Avenue
Surrey, BC, Canada V4N 4X5
Toll free: 800-663-6308
Telephone: (604) 888-3726
Facsimile: (604) 888-5389
email: salesbc@adpdist.com

[LeeHammy]

Thank you. I was able to get in touch with some people who really knew what they were talking about and were cool with sharing that info. I'll figure out whats best and go from there. The one Mitsubishi turbo sales rep who works for the larges supplier of mitsu turbo parts in the US said there is nothing wrong with the Chinese turbos as far as machining is. It is just materials. He said that the aluminum is supposed to be of a specific grade and the shaft should have a specific nickel content to it however these higher quality materials cost more and nickel is not cheap so they go with cheaper materials that wont last in the conditions the turbo and engine require them to withstand. This is why they don't cost very much.

[Orionsbelt]

This is incredible information!

Just my 2 cents but this should be in the wiki.

Thanks both Lee/Jesse...good reading/learning.

O

[jrrodger]

I had this same problem (see my userid on the UK pajero site if you want a read). Keep in mind the TD04 version is available on SAAB, VOLVO and several other North American Turbocharged Vehicles (Dodge/Ford) as well. When I had to change out the turbo on my rig, I found that it is best to not worry a out the other numbers on the turbocharger other than "TD04". ALl the other numbers discuss the interface between the Turbo, Manifolds and Exhaust. You can swap your old inter-connects from the old Turbocharger... Instead I would just worry about getting a quality turbo. The good thing about Mitsubishi is that they made lots and lots of Turbochargers for different cars and trucks.

I would stay far away from the Chinese Turbo manufacturers as the materials and quality control are poor, as they just take the blueprint drawings and find the cheapest materials available. ((you get what you pay for))

I also think E-bay will disappoint, as you end up with Chinese stuff or worn out parts/equipment that is represented to be real.

My 2 recommendations are as follows:

1) Get a used/rebuilt turbo from a reseller such as Milner Offroad, Japanoid etc. and get a limited warrenty with it.
2) Contact a British or Austrialian dealership and pay the big $$$ for a new turbo. (warning will be several thousand)


For a 3rd labor intensive option and you are really handy; with someone in a workshop that has the balancing equipment, you can contact a company that I think was http://www.melett.com/. They stock a lot of parts in the UK (as the British use lots of turbocharged engines).

Forgive me if I have a bias to the UK, but I have family there that can help ship me the parts.... And to be honest London -- Toronto is a similar cost to Vancouver -- Toronto for shipping and the business hours time-zone difference.