[Gates_N54]

My experience so far... not an endorsement, I've just seen post about the 17Ts but haven't noticed anyone really diving into the bigger 19Ts (VIV Autoparts)



Decided to go with these since I bought a OEM set from them 2 years ago and have abused them daily over boosting past what they were rated for with no issues. (Waste-gates failed)

Car is "Almost" Full bolt on Partial Ebay build.

160,000 Miles
JB4 w/MHD Backend Flash (Map 6 25PSI)
Ebay Chargepipe w/50mm BOV
Ebay ***-Less DP's
Ebay 7.5 Stepped Intercooler
Ebay Catchcan
Amazon Walbro 450
MMP Relocated Alum. Inlets w/VRSF 2" couplers
VRSF Alum. Outlet
Snow Performance Meth Kit 175ml Nozzle 5-25 PSI Progressive
2 step colder plugs
Ebay Coils (Probably shouldn't)

Honestly, Fingers Crossed these ebay 19Ts hold up.
They react very quickly to throttle response but have a tendency to overshoot boost target and trigger the saftey quicker than the WGDC can counter.
Currently Targeting 25psi with a 30psi saftey
Im also not running Port Injection and I'm still on the factory HPFP/Injectors from 2007 so that's a bottleneck.

Datazap Log from a roll on 3-4th Highway Pull for the interested
https://***********/u/gatesn54/19t-n...16-17-18-19-24

[ajsalida]

Have they fixed the welded-on nut for oil fitting yet? See here:

Upgraded T04 turbos for less $ than stock! Wtf? Link inside | BMW Forums - SpoolStreet

[Gates_N54]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

Have they fixed the welded-on nut for oil fitting yet? See here:

Upgraded T04 turbos for less $ than stock! Wtf? Link inside | BMW Forums - SpoolStreet

Yes, It's no longer a welded and now is in with the casting. They supply a new screw for the oil line as the stock one wont work. (different height)

It took a week after purchasing for them to even ship, so either it was one of the first of the new batches or they are made-to-order.

The housing is definitely larger than stock and was a PITA trying to get the oil drain line in on the front turbo.

I wish I took more pictures of the turbos but I was just ready to get them put in after having the car down for so long. (It's my daily) Unfortunately the only other picture I have you cant see.

[AWSAWS]

so how are they doing?

[Gates_N54]

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

so how are they doing?

Wastegates are rattling already after about 5k miles.

They are still holding up to 30 psi just fine and no signs of smoking yet.

Obviously dont recommend burbles as I'm 99.9% sure that cause the wastegates to rattle since it happened after I turned burbles on.

I do recommend getting the wastegates upgraded if anyone buys these units.

[brendan]

30psi!
Ebay pistons and rods coming up next.

[Gates_N54]

Originally Posted by brendan

30psi!
Ebay pistons and rods coming up next.

Nah, when this motor lets go its getting the LS treatment. Little more cost effective for the power I'm after.

[Gates_N54]

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

so how are they doing?

May have spoke too soon. A day or so after I replied to you I noticed the car was running different and was a lot louder than normal. Sounds like a hole in the exhaust while being under power and getting heavy timing corrections.

Haven't dug into the car quite enough to see what's going on but it sounds like its misfiring and at the same time not.

JB4 logs are not a pretty sight. No CELs . No Shadow Codes.

https://***********/u/gatesn54/n54-h...log=0&data=1-4

[andrew85]

These china turbos make some power, but it appears that they also make some decent heat.

Would love to know what has happened with yours. Bent rods and broken ringlands seem to be the flavour at the moment.

[Gates_N54]

Originally Posted by andrew85

These china turbos make some power, but it appears that they also make some decent heat.

Would love to know what has happened with yours. Bent rods and broken ringlands seem to be the flavour at the moment.

Broken wastegates so far. Duty cycle hits 99% every time I'm on throttle till it inherently builds 3psi full spool in higher rpms.

It isnt misfiring and its putting timing correction on all 6 till hit hits 3psi. It hasnt started smoking like its burning oil, no oil or metal in the intake. I'm going to drain the oil and check the filter before I remove the down pipe s.

I'll re update once I pull the down pipe s and post pictures of what failed.

[AWSAWS]

YHopefully nothing serious. I have a set ready to go on soon.
How much timing are you running OP? You might need to tame things down a little unless you run more water meth injection to lower EGTs

[Gates_N54]

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

YHopefully nothing serious. I have a set ready to go on soon.
How much timing are you running OP? You might need to tame things down a little unless you run more water meth injection to lower EGTs

Looks like the waste gate arm broke the clip holding to the actuator or vise versa. Turbos look to be in okay condition. No leaking oil or coolant no wiggle in the wheels or anything.

[Arrtus]

what made you decide to go with these instead of the Dynamic Autowerx turbos?

[Gates_N54]

Originally Posted by Arrtus

what made you decide to go with these instead of the Dynamic Autowerx turbos?

Mostly because I beat the piss out of the car everyday. Its more cost efficient to go the route I have with certain parts that if they break, they can be replaced cheaply. I didnt have a clip laying around for the waste gate so I put a cotter pin in it.

Its back to taking full boost digs and 60 rolls along with ripping the 2 step a bit.

These $1100 turbos have taken the abuse ive thrown at them for almost 6k miles now fairly easy minus breaking a c clip.

[Arrtus]

Originally Posted by Gates_N54

Mostly because I beat the piss out of the car everyday. Its more cost efficient to go the route I have with certain parts that if they break, they can be replaced cheaply. I didnt have a clip laying around for the waste gate so I put a cotter pin in it.

Its back to taking full boost digs and 60 rolls along with ripping the 2 step a bit.

These $1100 turbos have taken the abuse ive thrown at them for almost 6k miles now fairly easy minus breaking a c clip.

That's great to hear!

I'm on the fence about going with upgraded twins or shelling out a bunch of money on a single turbo kit. I've been mainly concerned with if they will hold up or if I'll end up having to replace them with the single turbo anyway. I know swapping these turbos is definitely a pain in the ass so I'd hate to have to do it twice.

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by Arrtus

what made you decide to go with these instead of the Dynamic Autowerx turbos?

DA turbos ate just China turbos with their badge over the top. You can see the casting numbers on the housings.
Buy direct. Cut out the middle men.

[Arrtus]

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

DA turbos ate just China turbos with their badge over the top. You can see the casting numbers on the housings.
Buy direct. Cut out the middle men.

No way, I didn't know that. They advertise them as being made in USA so I was under the impression that they weren't Chinese turbos.

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by Arrtus

No way, I didn't know that. They advertise them as being made in USA so I was under the impression that they weren't Chinese turbos.

I believe these days a 'made in ...' badge can be put on things if they are assembled in that country or finished in that country. So even as simple as sticking on a badge or screwing together the Chinese housings in America can justify the badge.

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by Arrtus

No way, I didn't know that. They advertise them as being made in USA so I was under the impression that they weren't Chinese turbos.

[MG-42]

So how are the turbos performin? Looking for the TD04 19T 900hp option..! Also made in China

[Arrtus]

I am sure that DA would be doing some form of testing on their products after importing them from China. Although it may seem like they "throw on their badge and sell it", there is still some form of quality control and testing that goes into their products. Companies don't just import things and sell them under their brand without assuring that performance is met to their standards (although I am sure some companies don't care). This is especially important to do with products brought in from China as their manufacturing guidelines/standards are far less restricted than ours are in the USA which is the reason why China gets a bad rep for their quality.

That is not to say that China is unable to make great products. There just involves more risk when you cut out the middle man.

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by Arrtus

I am sure that DA would be doing some form of testing on their products after importing them from China. Although it may seem like they "throw on their badge and sell it", there is still some form of quality control and testing that goes into their products. Companies don't just import things and sell them under their brand without assuring that performance is met to their standards (although I am sure some companies don't care). This is especially important to do with products brought in from China as their manufacturing guidelines/standards are far less restricted than ours are in the USA which is the reason why China gets a bad rep for their quality.

That is not to say that China is unable to make great products. There just involves more risk when you cut out the middle man.

Have read about a number of DA failures on another site so it sounds like they don't do much if anything.

Might as well buy cheap and direct. China turbos are balanced before going out to customers.

[shoepac11]

I just fitted a pair of these. My 1st gen RB's finally **** the turbine seals. Sucks too cause ther is pretty much zero end play in them. I figured I would roll the dice with the 19T's so I would have direct replacements when the time comes to rip it apart. So far they definitely make more boost, easily making 25lbs at between 40-50 wgdc. I'd really love to get feedback from a tuner, but none of the logs I've posted over in "log review" have yielded any replies.. I do however have a RANDOM smoking issue now. Sometimes, after stopping at a light and idling for 20-30 seconds, car starts BELLOWING blue smoke. I can make it stop by holding rpms >1000, or just by starting to drive again. Seems like oil drainage issue. Not sure if that means drain lines, or pcv. I have BMS dual catch can setup and head ports are plugged. Never had this issue with the RB's. Front turbo has modified drain line. Thinking about opening up pcv to atmosphere to see if it makes a difference.

[Rob@RBTurbo]

Originally Posted by shoepac11

I just fitted a pair of these. My 1st gen RB's finally **** the turbine seals. Sucks too cause ther is pretty much zero end play in them. I figured I would roll the dice with the 19T's so I would have direct replacements when the time comes to rip it apart. So far they definitely make more boost, easily making 25lbs at between 40-50 wgdc. I'd really love to get feedback from a tuner, but none of the logs I've posted over in "log review" have yielded any replies.. I do however have a RANDOM smoking issue now. Sometimes, after stopping at a light and idling for 20-30 seconds, car starts BELLOWING blue smoke. I can make it stop by holding rpms >1000, or just by starting to drive again. Seems like oil drainage issue. Not sure if that means drain lines, or pcv. I have BMS dual catch can setup and head ports are plugged. Never had this issue with the RB's. Front turbo has modified drain line. Thinking about opening up pcv to atmosphere to see if it makes a difference.

Looks like you had some 6 year old Classic RB's, especially being a pre-inlet day setup, so cool they made it this far for you. Chances are they have some slightly burnt up thrust bearings honestly, just something typical for those particular units over this amount of time (ie. more likely than the seals), but would have to tear down to see which is the culprit. You can probably sell them off, we do get them back occasionally from people who bought them secondhand, and send them in for the RB Next Gen conversion.

What is odd with your current scenario is if you had little to no smoking with those old RB's, but huge smoking now with new China's, that is pretty bizarre to say the least. Did you change anything else around during the turbo install process, or was it a turbo swap only?

Rob

[shoepac11]

Originally Posted by Rob@RBTurbo

Looks like you had some 6 year old Classic RB's, especially being a pre-inlet day setup, so cool they made it this far for you. Chances are they have some slightly burnt up thrust bearings honestly, just something typical for those particular units over this amount of time (ie. more likely than the seals), but would have to tear down to see which is the culprit. You can probably sell them off, we do get them back occasionally from people who bought them secondhand, and send them in for the RB Next Gen conversion.

What is odd with your current scenario is if you had little to no smoking with those old RB's, but huge smoking now with new China's, that is pretty bizarre to say the least. Did you change anything else around during the turbo install process, or was it a turbo swap only?

Rob

Hey whats up Rob.. Just for the record, Great Product!! I LOVE my classics! They were nothing but great to me. They were smoking, but they were smoking all the time. Just a little at idle but alot while driving, and ALOT under boost. These new ones only have an issue at only at idle. And it seems to be totally random. And never on initial start during warm up idle. Much like many other proud n54 parents I've been battling smoke issues for quite some time. B4 changing turbos I Installed vacuum side occ, new valve cover, new valve seals, and new injector seals. Comp test good, leakdown good. Spark plugs didn't tell a story of ingestion, and no oil in intercooler piping or TB, so when all that didnt fix it I started considering the turbos.
That being said what options do I have, or how much would my RB cores be worth? I'd be stoked to have some genuine RB's pumping again. The lack of end play in your chra's with 75,000 miles on them is amazing! Super sad to have to pull them. Thanks
-Justin