KO3 New / Used / recon Supplier / Re-builder

Does anyone have any experience with replacing their K03 body turbo with a new / recon / ebay one?

Booked on the club trackday at Donnington in March and I'm a bit suspect about the turbo on my mk3 1.8t as I'm not sure on it's history / mileage and I'll be well annoyed if it lets go after 10 min on track.
I've had a look on ebay and there are loads of cheap ones on there for less than 200 but are they any good? I'm not looking to upgrade / hybrid as I'd need to remap + change injectors. All I want is a K03 that will last for one season and after that it doesn't matter as my Mk2 WILL be finished by then.

Cheers

Neil

 

Down here there are 2 turbo builders that are used.

Turbo developments and Turbo rebuilds.

Apart from that you can ask Darren Francis of VW Enterprises or Bill Brockbank of badger 5 for a serviceable unit. They always upgrading vehicles brought in by customers.

Usually, some side play is allowed in KKK turbos. However it should have 0 thrust play.

If it is getting noisy from low revs it needs rebuilding.

 

That's wicked thanks! I'll give them a ring and get it sorted. I'll probably go with a recon unit as although a used unit might be good at the time there is no guarantee it with.

Yeah I can hear a very slight whistle before it gets up and going which is making me doubt the reliability of the unit. I shouldn't be surprised really it's been one of those cars! lol

 

Turbo rebuilds.co.uk also offer the option of KTS billet compressor wheels for not a lot more.

 

Please don't tell me things like that!

I can see my budget quickly spiralling out of control! lol


...maybe just a little upgrade to increase reliability


You know what my next question is going to be don't you... when can you fit me in for a calibration adjustment

 

I would never buy a Chinese 200 `ebay` turbo.

 

Good point on those.
Apparently the turbine housing on those do not suffer from cracks seen on the original KKK units. They also have a lot of meat when porting the hotside.
Not sure about the durability of a complete unit, nor brave enough to try.

 

Me neither! Buy cheap, buy twice!

Found that out the hard way with Chinese ebay bits.

That's probably because the cartridge doesn't last long enough for the housing to crack! lol