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well it appears both of my EA82T turbos are blowing smoke...so i just after some opinions on what to do

i'm going EJ20T sometime late this year or early next year, money depending. will be aiming for 200kw at the engine from that motor, so not a huge amount more than stock.

but for now, i need a car that doesnt smoke like indians sending smoke signals every second.

these are the options i thought of, tell me which is best, or even offer another solution.

1. rebuild the standard turbo. get a rebuild kit for $150 or so, OR get a new cartridge for a fair bit more

2. buy a 2nd hand standard turbo....and hope it doesnt smoke

3. buy a wrx (etc) turbo, hope it doesnt smoke and spend time modifying the exhaust to suit (i can weld and make exhausts so that's no problem, just time consuming)

4. buy the garrett gt28 turbo i'll want for the EJ20 that'll be absolutely perfect for my power wants, and make it work with the EA82T in the mean time. again, spending time modifying the exhaust to work. the gt28 is on the slightly too big side for a not so efficient 1.8L, but i can live with that (save fuel lol)

which is the most cost effective option for me? would just rebuilding the standard turbo be ok? thanks guys.

I put a TF035 (early GT forester turbo) on my EA82T last year. Its been great.
Turbo cost me $100 off ebay and it was pretty easy to fit.

Here is my write up (a few pictures are missing) Suparoo's TF035 & WAIC install

I think Subafury put a TD04 on as well and did a write up too

EDIT:
I found Subafury's write up EA82T TD04 Turbo Upgrade

My setup was well suited to the lib intercooler i installed at the same time, Matts is more suited to the factory 'turbo to TB plenum' or keeping the intercooler you have made work with your old turbo

I'd just be dredging around for a second hand EA82 turbocharger because it will go back in with minimum effort/cost .

If you really intend to use a non std engine later save the effort and money for that .

I really like the GT2860RS for two liter fours but I'm not sure what these are like on a Sube flat four because they group the wrong cylinders together with the header/manifolds . In line 4's are better off in this instance , my FJ20ET made positive pressure at ~ 1600 revs in higher gears with one of these turbos .

Some of the better Jap aftermarket turbo vendors such as HKS tend to spec smaller compressor trims for Subaru apps because in single scroll form they are not famous for getting their turbos going .

If you are really serious with the EJ go straight to a twin scroll BB system , a bit exy but well worth it .

A .

with the tf035, does it use the same flange? or is it like the td04 you linked me to - in that one bolt needs to be changed? there's a tf035 on ebay at the moment so that's something that could be looked at

i did think of looking for a VF4, but with anything used, gotta hope it doesnt blow smoke - maybe if anyone knows a good one that's cheap and currently available for sale?????

i guess it just comes down to cost/benefit. i've already spent a heap getting my ea82 going. my original one lost compression (a lot) on the drivers side, the one i bought from jason (xtreme_rx) had stuffed heads and was blowing coolant - luckily the heads on my old engine were great, but there's the cost of the head gasket (jason got me one thanks!) - at least now my compression is min 125 - max 136, but now that's right, i know my turbos are a little worse for wear. sigh. just want to get my car running, and running well so my other car can get it's long overdue rebuild.

The TD04 only has a larger exhaust wheel, but mounting flanges are the same.

I bought new up-pipe and downpipe flanges, and fitted them, but a cheaper option is just to move the stud back further. You will still need an EJ style dump pipe flange, getting a wrx or liberty dump pipe and modifying it to fit your current exhaust is probable easiest

how does the slightly larger turbo go with the stock 3 plug ecu? what psi does the td04/tf035 boost to stock?

twilightprotege wrote: i've already spent a heap getting my ea82 going. my original one lost compression (a lot) on the drivers side, the one i bought from jason (xtreme_rx) had stuffed heads and was blowing coolant -.

Join the club !

I know many out there are warning against EA82T and go EJ, most likely for these same sort of reasons and more grief.

Might be a good post " who has had an EA82T and continued to spend money on it and given up"

I went, and will stick with, EA82T for the reasons of no other conversion or parts required, I like LPG and have had bad reports of EJ on gas. After the compliments I got on its power dellivery, quietness and simplicity of my gas set up I am happy BUT for the coolant pumping out my reservoir !!

Boost response of the TF035 is as good as the origional VF4

Boost starts at around 1600rpm and i have 5psi by 2000rpm and then 10psi by 2500rpm. Im in the process of building some better headers to try to improve this.

The TD04's response is slightly worse, probably coming on around 200rpm later (this is only a guess)

Both the TF035 and TD04's wastegate operates at the same 7psi as the standard VF4

i've decided to give my turbo one last go and take it appart, inspect and then decide if a new turbo is on the cards. i'll know tomorrow for sure.

and after looking around, my current turbo suffers from thrust bearing issues (hence it's whistle and oil leak), but i cant remember that same noise on my other turbo, so i'll give it another bash and see.

well i have my other turbo in with the good best bits of both turbos. looks pretty good thus far. it's still blowing a little smoke, but i think that's because of the oil on the turbo from before...fingers crossed.