Upgraded T04 turbos for less $ than stock! Wtf? Link inside

[vegasboy]

I took one for the team! I purchased through eBay because of PayPal protection.

Before you flame me remember it’s my time and it’s my money! I know it’s a gamble but the price was right for me to try my luck. Plus I know you guys are all wondering about these turbos so your welcome!

I paid $929 shipped, took about a week to get here. Packaging was good, thick cardboard with expandable foam. I do all my own work and yes turbos are a big job but it’s not bad if you tackle it over a few days. If they don’t last I’ll probably just rebuild the stockers. I’m about 95% sure these are the new VTT stage 2+ Chinese turbos they are relabeling as their own.

Measurements taken with cheap Chinese calipers lol

Looks to be TD03 center section

Inlets 50.1mm or 1.95”

Turbine 9 blade 46.6 / 40.6
A stock TD04L is 46.8/41.2

Compressor 58.4/43.0.
Ebay listing claimed 58.4/43.4
Stock 16T is 56/43.4

That makes these a little bigger than 16T that’s why I’m thinking these are the stage 2+?

There was another listing for a 14T which I’m guessing may be their stage 2? I could be wrong I don’t know.

 

[vegasboy]

I test fitted today but still not installed. Got new 2” rear inlet in place. I can’t belive how much easier it goes in without the turbo in the way.

Old Vs new

Testing: I had MMP 1.75 inlets on the car they are tight but they could work.

Test fitting Terry’s new Chinese inlets they are a little big but they clamp down just fine. I don’t dig the texture but nobody really sees them anyway.

 

[BoostedE90]

View attachment 10939
I test fitted today but still not installed. Got new 2” rear inlet in place. I can’t belive how much easier it goes in without the turbo in the way. View attachment 10940
Old Vs new View attachment 10941 View attachment 10942
Testing: I had MMP 1.75 inlets on the car they are tight but they could work. View attachment 10943
Test fitting Terry’s new Chinese inlets they are a little big but they clamp down just fine. I don’t dig the texture but nobody really sees them anyway.

You’re the real mvp being a lab rat Can’t wait for feedback, hope it works
out, nay sayers will be salty if they’re worthy

 

[Mightbaal]

Wow thanks please report back yea PayPal protection is pretty good. It's only good up to 6 months I think but these guys say they have a 1 year warranty. Currently looking at what fuel options I will have to run if I want more HP. If these are indeed the VTT stage 2 or stage 2+ they are making bank on selling those at the markup they have lol.

 

[N54QC]

Maybe stage 2 but I believe stage 2+ is 19T or 20T unless they changed things since I bought them.

 

[Mightbaal]

Maybe stage 2 but I believe stage 2+ is 19T or 20T unless they changed things since I bought them.

What type of Horsepower are stage 2 good for?

 

[Mightbaal]

Anyone know how much more work is involved with an XI install? I know install for RWD is like 1500 and then they have the AWD model listed at $2500 to install... I would do it myself just wondering if its that much harder I know the install price is a bit higher...

 

[langsbr]

Maybe stage 2 but I believe stage 2+ is 19T or 20T unless they changed things since I bought them.

I thought only the GCs had the 19T and even GC Lites used a 16T.

My worry with these would be what Rob said. The 16T on the TD03 CHRA.

 

[Rob@RBTurbo]

Way to go Vegasboy, good stuff. We think it is fair to conclude that you are indeed correct about the turbos origination and who has been relabeling them and passing them off as their own for a hefty markup. So now for those who believe this is a "quality enough" solution, they can have at it and get the same product with the same results at about half the cost.

We realize some (errr most) of our competitors are far from the sharpest tools in the shed, but let this be seen and known to them as when you let China "make your turbos" this is eventually what you will have happen to you and "hopefully" you enjoyed the money grab before the consumers realize the truth about your ways of business.

Fortunately for those couple of us who actually build our own turbos to the highest quality attainable with the best possible components, we are here to cater to another demographic. All in all and as we had found these are still built with low quality VSR balancing, lower quality internals, sloppy loose wastegates, and ultimately are metallurgically inferior. Some of the competitors obviously are ok with endorsing such things if it means making great profits for no efforts.

PS: You may want to flop around the wastegates for a video while you are at it- the set we'd ordered looked like it had about 50k miles of wear as they arrived new.

PSS: If anyone does make this purchase and has a 1, 5, or Z4 series (or RHD car); shoot us an email and we will likely buy your old original OEM cores which would help your bottom line a bit further.

Rob

 

[vegasboy]

Rob what are your thoughts on the size? Do you think these are the stage 2 or the plus? VTT doesn’t really list measurements as I’m sure they are proprietary to each company. They just state stage 2+ is a different wheel than stage 2.

From what I’ve gathered these are the same size at the GC lites except without the TD04 center and different manifold with the V clamp (which I now think is more of a gimmick). But as far as sizing goes should be about the same. I’m think the regular GC are a 19T

I did get my PCV valve and install kit from RB and was very fast shipping. I would hope these Chinese centers could be rebuilt with better parts when the time comes. You should make a quality center that would bolt into these housings.

Here is a video on the waste gates.

 

[Milan]

Somebody send these to Rob to see how balanced they are. This thread is interesting. If they work people are going to be buying these left and right. I hate putting Chinese products on a German car, but I guess they have their place for the people who need to save money.

Edit: These look 100% like Vargas' Stage 2+ hybrid. I wonder if he was having them 100% made there.

I used to work in the intellectual property protection industry. It's almost ironic, the companies who made products in the USA never had a counterfeit problem. Everyone who went to China so they could increase their profit margins got counterfeited heavily.

#MAGA

 

[veer90]

Why would you send them to Rob the only reason he's in this thread is to talk smack / get people to associate cheap chinese turbos with Vargas. if you want meaningful results send them to an independent turbo lab.

And for the record I dislike RB and VTT turbos equally.

 

[Rob@RBTurbo]

Very cramped on time today or would give more feedback, all in all good video and good information. Eventually you guys will all see what we've been saying for many many many months is true. Beyond this I fear saying too much more about other vendors as this will just earn us more forum violations, when which ultimately lead to our being banned.

But by all means if you want to send them over- I can toss this one set on the VSR for you guys in the name of science. We'd hate to "correct" them though, as then they will not die as quick for the OP and the masses will only be left with the thinking as they were a success lol.

Rob

 

[Rob@RBTurbo]

Why would you send them to Rob the only reason he's in this thread is to talk smack / get people to associate cheap chinese turbos with Vargas. if you want meaningful results send them to an independent turbo lab.

And for the record I dislike RB and VTT turbos equally.

Guys like this ^

Dumb as a box of rocks.

Rob

 

[veer90]

Your tone in all the responses in this thread have been extremely off putting, but hey what do I know. By all means, insult a customer who bought your stuff before and won't be buying any more.

 

[Milan]

Why would you send them to Rob the only reason he's in this thread is to talk smack / get people to associate cheap chinese turbos with Vargas. if you want meaningful results send them to an independent turbo lab.

And for the record I dislike RB and VTT turbos equally.

Well because he has the proper equipment and background in the N54 turbo world? Honestly if you have paid attention to his postings over the years they are mostly unbiased.

 

[langsbr]

I have to agree with veer90. I agree that there USED to be unbiased postings, but as of late Rob's posts have been nothing but attacks on other vendors.

 

[Mightbaal]

I'm sorry but I have to agree. If you wanted to send them in that's ok but I would honestly send them to someone that is not a competitor. When I was on eBay selling ecig stuff people would buy Chinese stuff like crazy slap a "brand name" on them and sell them. I would buy some and confirm it's the same crap I bought and was also selling. No competitor will say "there not bad" or "they were actually balanced good". Sorry rob I'm not trying to be a dick but I know I no longer sell on eBay because of this the Chinese can make crap for way less than us that in most cases people will like the same. I used to get so fired up about this stuff on eBay and it eventually made it simply not worth it anymore. Either way it would still be a good test. If you do take them in I would honestly make a video on it show people what may be wrong with these the internals the original balance when you got them etc etc etc if they are bad. You are the turbo expert here not us.

 

[Rob@RBTurbo]

No worries guys, just install them. They look decent for the dollar, they'll have their demographic. Also we've already tested a set prior (same china bay factory), so we already know what they'll look (and sound) like. No point in us wasting time when we could be building our own turbos.

Rob

 

[JuniorB]

Two things, one, we're is the tdo4 there advertising, and second, can't be as bad as to what's out here already, seems there issues with every n54 turbo made. These should be able to hold 424-475, and for $1k, can't go wrong in any book.