[Pinscher]

Hi Folks.

I was thinking to get by OEM turbo's rebuild and upgraded and Turbo labs have some compelling video's.

I'm in Canada and there doesn't seem to be anyone in my neighborhood that does this work for less than the cost of simply buying turbos (the Vancouver tax is substantial on everything car related it seems).

Since mentioning this idea to friends, I'm starting to get hmmm's and hawww's about turbo labs and it seems that my choice may be very well a bad one.

Would anyone here have an experience with their offerings or their workmanship?

[fredcase]

There is a guy in Victoria that rebuilds them. And will even install them cheap.

I have a bunch of cores. I’ll sell you a set to have rebuilt in advance if that helps your situation.

Stay away from turbolab. Guy is a hack, and takes months to do anything.

[JuniorB]

If your going for an oem build, go to a stage 1 at a minimum. Granted there is machine work, but you will gain a lot more performance all the away around.

[Pinscher]

Originally Posted by fredcase

There is a guy in Victoria that rebuilds them. And will even install them cheap.

I have a bunch of cores. I’ll sell you a set to have rebuilt in advance if that helps your situation.

Stay away from turbolab. Guy is a hack, and takes months to do anything.

Do you have contact information for the guy in Vic?
Does he upgrade too?

[fredcase]

Originally Posted by Pinscher

Do you have contact information for the guy in Vic?
Does he upgrade too?

I think he posts on kijiji, can’t remember. I don’t think he does upgrades. I have a set of rebuilt, unused turbo lab chra’s. With the 14t compressor wheel, and a clipped OEM turbine. I was thinking of machining the compressor housing, and dropping a 9blade OEM turbine, essentially stage 1. I’ll let the chra’s go for $100 if you want to handle the rest of the leg work.

[Pinscher]

Originally Posted by fredcase

I was thinking of machining the compressor housing, and dropping a 9blade OEM turbine, essentially stage 1. I’ll let the chra’s go for $100 if you want to handle the rest of the leg work.

Hello.

Much of what you said is beyond me at the moment, but I'm a quick learner.

If you are dropping in an oem turbine how can it be stage 1 upgrade?

Are you in Victoria as well?

I will try to find this guy you mentioned who posts on kijiji.

Can you trek me whay exactly is a chra?
I think you mean broken turbo.

Thank you

[fredcase]

Keep reading dude.

[BeatupVR4]

CHRA = Center housing rotating assembly. The turbo minus the housings

By chore do you mean core?

[Rob@RBTurbo]

I think they mean well and have some great knowledge, really actually seems like a very nice guy... but unfortunately do not have the balancing equipment to truly do a perfect job every time.

Also we had a set of their stage 1's come back as cores earlier this year and we found some things with their machine work that literally scrapped the compressor housings, so unfortunately had to eat that one but won't take them again. Now they are still sitting here and can only be used for modeling at this point.

Rob

[Pinscher]

Originally Posted by Rob@RBTurbo

I think they mean well and have some great knowledge, really actually seems like a very nice guy... but unfortunately do not have the balancing equipment to truly do a perfect job every time.

Also we had a set of their stage 1's come back as cores earlier this year and we found some things with their machine work that literally scrapped the compressor housings, so unfortunately had to eat that one but won't take them again. Now they are still sitting here and can only be used for modeling at this point.

Rob

Thanks for commenting, and since you're the competition, I'd have to take what you say with a grain of salt.

My goal is really to find out if there is an economical way have better than stock turbo's and hopefully eliminate the inherent weakness the OEM possess. So far, from what's I've seen, refurbishing and upgrading OEM turbo's cost the same if not more than a reputable 3rd party upgrade.

Considering these cars cost 7k(335 with N54) or so, it's almost 1/3rd or more the price of the car. Likely I'm in over my head. In some cases, Turbo labs is a fraction of the price of their competition. It's interesting to know they are not able to balance the turbo's properly, I'll have to look into this more.

Thank you.

[JuniorB]

TLA has some great tutorials for the n54, and actually has a video of his machine work. I’ve contacted him before, quick to reply, his an innovator from what I can see, always building new turbos, no one would ever put together. He does a huge selection of what’s out there, not limiting himself to one specific brand like some.

[Rob@RBTurbo]

Originally Posted by Pinscher

Thanks for commenting, and since you're the competition, I'd have to take what you say with a grain of salt.

My goal is really to find out if there is an economical way have better than stock turbo's and hopefully eliminate the inherent weakness the OEM possess. So far, from what's I've seen, refurbishing and upgrading OEM turbo's cost the same if not more than a reputable 3rd party upgrade.

Considering these cars cost 7k(335 with N54) or so, it's almost 1/3rd or more the price of the car. Likely I'm in over my head. In some cases, Turbo labs is a fraction of the price of their competition. It's interesting to know they are not able to balance the turbo's properly, I'll have to look into this more.

Thank you.

No hard feelings here, and zero idea of their costs, just some friendly advice and also keep in mind when someone says "we balance our stuff" it does not mean that they have the best equipment to balance it correctly and to the highest levels of perfection every time. A good start would be to inquire specifically into what equipment they utilize IMO, we already know but it would not mean as much coming from us as you've stated.

At any rate if you go that route see if they want a set of their old stage 1 compressor housings back, as they are the 1/5/Z/RHD series style they'd probably be pretty excited about it being that they are pretty rare... just like we were pretty bummed about it as we need that inventory more than any other for cores. Anyway already machined for their wheel and ready to go, $100 shipped would be fantastic, really don't care who buys them feel free to hit us up if interested. Also would trade straight up for some OE non-machined virgin compressor housings for the same models.

Rob

[Pinscher]

Originally Posted by Rob@RBTurbo

No hard feelings here, and zero idea of their costs, just some friendly advice and also keep in mind when someone says "we balance our stuff" it does not mean that they have the best equipment to balance it correctly and to the highest levels of perfection every time. A good start would be to inquire specifically into what equipment they utilize IMO, we already know but it would not mean as much coming from us as you've stated.

At any rate if you go that route see if they want a set of their old stage 1 compressor housings back, as they are the 1/5/Z/RHD series style they'd probably be pretty excited about it being that they are pretty rare... just like we were pretty bummed about it as we need that inventory more than any other for cores. Anyway already machined for their wheel and ready to go, $100 shipped would be fantastic, really don't care who buys them feel free to hit us up if interested. Also would trade straight up for some OE non-machined virgin compressor housings for the same models.

Rob

Understood and again, thank you for the guidance. It's very much appreciated.

[Dave @ BMS/Fuel-It!]

I don’t have much experience with Turbo Lab, but I have heard a lot of solid feedback on the RB rebuilds & stage 1 offering.

I’ve seen a lot of logs popping up recently & people seem to be very happy.

My 2 cents- go with proven companies on the this specific platform

Best of luck !

[fredcase]

Although Rob sounds like a broken record, he right. RB has one of the higher reliability records.

Turbolab, dig deeper for reviews. There are more bad than good.

[naoaki]

I purchased Turbo Labs stage 1 a year and a half ago. We use at 23 psi, but there is no problem so far. There was a phenomenon that the oil spreads from the installation part of the oil return pipe only for about one year. I chose Turbo Lab for budget reasons, but if there is a budget, I might be better to choose RB or VTT.

[codesx]

I'm with Dave, in the RB court.

I read here and elsewhere for 6+ months to determine my next set.

Following that, for the last year it has only reinforced my decision.

Pure Stage 2 would be my runner up. Little bad news out there, outside of price.

RB does have 1k option, better than OEM, then options going up from there.

Half the price is labor really, or close to, depending on choices.

Oh, and RB is obsessed with balancing.
Best gear. Lots of cheaper options available and declined.
He's got the right type of OCD we all want from our vendors

[JuniorB]

Turbos, a huge debate, always has, always will. Ask yourself your driving conditions 95% of the time, and we’re can I use my power. There are hundreds of answers to this question, your driving style is 1, and budget is 2.

[fredcase]

Op, the guy that rebuilds, and installs cheap in Victoria uses eBay to sell his business.

Like I said, I got cores if you need.

[codesx]

Originally Posted by JuniorB

There are hundreds of answers to this question, your driving style is 1.

"More, more, more".
I'm guessing that's the most common response

[Prototype007]

Had turbo lab assemble and balance my CHRA. Lasted less than 800 miles and completely **** canned one of the turbos and even ruined a compressor cover.

[Pinscher]

Thanks everyone. Ill just save mire and go the RB way

[JuniorB]

Well, I looked at it this way, I was thinking that I needed 600hp to and from work! I built some stage ones with a 9 blade, will be a fun DD!

[Pinscher]

Originally Posted by JuniorB

Well, I looked at it this way, I was thinking that I needed 600hp to and from work! I built some stage ones with a 9 blade, will be a fun DD!

I like your thinking