[Dave92N54]

Hey guys, so it's looking more and more like it's my time to do turbos. Puffs of smoke have become more frequent and despite adjustment, the rattle is horrifying. I can't even start my car at the gas pump without getting stares until the rattle stops.

Unfortunately, I'll have to go with a budget option. Still in school, and some other things need to be addressed. I try to be as thorough as possible, so i'll be replacing other things while i'm down there (motor mounts, turbo oil & coolant lines, rod bearings (yes, i'm doing them, that's been decided)).

I'm mainly looking at two options, RB OEM Billets or VTT OEM Replacements (Billet wheel & upgraded thrust). With either option, I will be doing inlets and outlets. I know RB seems to be the popular option on this forum but the website is just bad, and I'm not really sure how I feel about a vendor who doesn't really work on turbos for any other platform. Curious to hear what everyone is running and their dealings with either vendor. I ask anyone refrain from bringing up either vendors past interactions on the forum as well, i'm aware of how Tony conducts himself. Purely interested in first had experience with their products.

[srey]

Rob is excellent to work with and is quick to communicate. His turbos are probably the best option in terms of reliability. I doesn't matter much to me that RB doesn't do turbos for other platforms. The only unique thing about stock turbos on a variety of platforms is that they all seem to integrate the manifolds into the turbo housing. The act of (re)building, machining, and balancing the things will be pretty much the same whther it's for an N54 or for an audi 2.7t, or whatever.

I don't have any thoughts on VTT products. If you're not planning on every upgrading to bigger turbos consider getting a new set of stockers from FCP Euro. Lifetime replacement with no questions asked is compelling.

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by srey

Rob is excellent to work with and is quick to communicate. His turbos are probably the best option in terms of reliability. I doesn't matter much to me that RB doesn't do turbos for other platforms. The only unique thing about stock turbos on a variety of platforms is that they all seem to integrate the manifolds into the turbo housing. The act of (re)building, machining, and balancing the things will be pretty much the same whther it's for an N54 or for an audi 2.7t, or whatever.

I don't have any thoughts on VTT products. If you're not planning on every upgrading to bigger turbos consider getting a new set of stockers from FCP Euro. Lifetime replacement with no questions asked is compelling.

That's part of the reason i'm a little weary of RB. I get it's the same for all turbos, which is my point. He doesn't seem (as far as I can tell) to have experience working on other turbos. I appreciate the response though. I'll work on shooting him an email on Monday.

I thought about that as well but, I do plan on eventually pushing more power. I have a rather elaborate plan for my car, most of it just involves me getting my degree first. I decided against OE from FCP for a few reasons. A major reason being price, without inlets or outlets, a RB or VTT billet option with an install kit is cheaper than 2 Mitsu units from FCP. That means I can get turbos with upgraded wastegates, thrust bearings, and billet wheels for less. Add Inlets and outlets, and it's only a tad more than the Mitsus ($1500 for the Mitsu (without install kit too!!), ~$1800 after core return for billet + inlets/outlets + install kit).

[Tyc0]

Seems like people keep asking this question and the majority of answers are all for RB. Speaking from experience, i bought from rob and couldn't have asked for a better service.

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by Tyc0

Seems like people keep asking this question and the majority of answers are all for RB. Speaking from experience, i bought from rob and couldn't have asked for a better service.

I realize it's been asked a few times but didn't really come across a thread that addressed exactly what I wanted and rather than dig up someone else's thread, just made one.

Glad to hear that though, will definitely give him an email on Monday. If I recall, another post talked about how he's rather lenient on pricing sometimes… hope I may have some of that luck

May I ask, which turbos did you purchase?

[Tyc0]

You might be recalling me talk about the pricing. If you pay in cash or with a check, he gave me a $300 discount. So I was out the door with RB twos, inlets, pcv valve and tube, as well as the turbo gasket kit for I think $2700.

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by Tyc0

You might be recalling me talk about the pricing. If you pay in cash or with a check, he gave me a $300 discount. So I was out the door with RB twos, inlets, pcv valve and tube, as well as the turbo gasket kit for I think $2700.

That's not bad! I'm low side OCC so no need for PCV and I have fcp warranty on the vent valve but still, that's great pricing.

Slightly confused on how that works though, I'm guessing you mailed him the check/cash?

[Tyc0]

Yes, seems sketchy but I read about other people doing this as well. This is what he told me when I asked why he does this.

"A large portion (of the discount) is that it means we do not have to pay ANY fees on your payment, such as what we would if we took the payment via credit card or paypal. Another reason is that it means you are committed to the purchase, unlike other forms of payment where customers may frivolously order/cancel/re-order/cancel/etc etc which quite frankly wastes a lot of time and money (as a merchant) by simply accepting the transaction initially. All said if you wish to place the order with any form of payment, no problem we accept them all, however we just happen to reward the forms mentioned below with a nice discount (if so desired)."

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by Tyc0

Yes, seems sketchy but I read about other people doing this as well. This is what he told me when I asked why he does this.

"A large portion (of the discount) is that it means we do not have to pay ANY fees on your payment, such as what we would if we took the payment via credit card or paypal. Another reason is that it means you are committed to the purchase, unlike other forms of payment where customers may frivolously order/cancel/re-order/cancel/etc etc which quite frankly wastes a lot of time and money (as a merchant) by simply accepting the transaction initially. All said if you wish to place the order with any form of payment, no problem we accept them all, however we just happen to reward the forms mentioned below with a nice discount (if so desired)."

Yeah, I go to school in Baltimore and many places have minimum amounts to use a card for reasons like this, so makes sense. Good to know! $300 off the price on their website would be awesome.

Also looking into selling my downpipes and secondaries and they easily cover the cost of my inlets/outlets.

[Tyc0]

Hope I helped, but reach out to him, he is very helpful.

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by Tyc0

Hope I helped, but reach out to him, he is very helpful.

You helped a ton. In all seriousness, that $300 could be a deal maker. Reputable vendor + cheaper is good with me Always love to save more

[ab987]

One thing to note with inlets if you are eventually going to bigger twins (if you want a single ignore the rest of this) you will need 2 inch inlets for anything significantly above stock compressor size. The 2 inch inlets do not fit well on stock compressor housings, however, so sticking with stock inlets until you upgrade might be the best choice unless you wanna buy another set of inlets down the road or have an ill-fitting set now.

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by ab987

One thing to note with inlets if you are eventually going to bigger twins (if you want a single ignore the rest of this) you will need 2 inch inlets for anything significantly above stock compressor size. The 2 inch inlets do not fit well on stock compressor housings, however, so sticking with stock inlets until you upgrade might be the best choice unless you wanna buy another set of inlets down the road or have an ill-fitting set now.

Long term goal is rocking the RB OEM Billets, building a motor in my garage, big single and a very reliable 700whp

[ab987]

Originally Posted by Dave92N54

Long term goal is rocking the RB OEM Billets, building a motor in my garage, big single and a very reliable 700whp

I'd do 1.75s and don't look back I'm ordering mine in the next few days for my stockers eventually I'd like to throw in RB GFs but I can't make that decision until I help my buddy install his 6266 in the fall. That might change my mind. Mine are pretty new right now though so I at least wanna get some use out of em

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by ab987

I'd do 1.75s and don't look back I'm ordering mine in the next few days for my stockers eventually I'd like to throw in RB GFs but I can't make that decision until I help my buddy install his 6266 in the fall. That might change my mind. Mine are pretty new right now though so I at least wanna get some use out of em

Was exactly my thought 400whp with twins is fine with me. I'm honestly not that power hungry, I just want to build an engine for the hell of it so figure why not and then just run a very reliable, fantastic sounding single setup.

[_N54]

RB.

[haaken675]

So far, really happy with my Pure600's. Very quick spool and seems to be plenty of overhead.

[ragingpanda]

I have been having lots of fun with RBs game finishers on e85.

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by ragingpanda

I have been having lots of fun with RBs game finishers on e85.

How many miles and at what psi if you don't mind me asking? This also goes for anyone else saying RB. I appreciate any responses, i've pretty much decided on RB but would still love to hear.

[ragingpanda]

Originally Posted by Dave92N54

How many miles and at what psi if you don't mind me asking? This also goes for anyone else saying RB. I appreciate any responses, i've pretty much decided on RB but would still love to hear.

I have put about 10k miles on my setup in the last year. It hits about 20psi around 3500 rpms and ramps up to 26psi at redline.

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by ragingpanda

I have put about 10k miles on my setup in the last year. It hits about 20psi around 3500 rpms and ramps up to 26psi at redline.

Awesome, exactly what I would want to hear.

[Saif2018]

Pure or RB's are the best turbos, but if you want to roll the dice Chinese turbos lol