S4 Turbo Rebuild?
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,535
From: VA
Okay, so I had a good night at the strip last night. Best time was a 14.67 at 97 mph. It's amazing how much faster the car is since I replaced the stock airbox and K&N drop-in with a K&N cone filter. I'm still not boosting over 8 psi, more like 7.5.
My friends tell me the car is blowing a good bit of oil smoke on every shift, so I'm guessing it's the turbo bearings. The car has just over 100k on it, so I'm sure its due for a rebuild.
How hard is it to put new bearings in the turbo? How much does it cost? I've already had it off once, to port the wastegate, so I know what I'm in for. It'll be a lot easier the second time around. I noticed a good bit of play in the turbo bearing, but the turbine wasn't scraping the housing, so I put it back together like it was. That was last fall.
I'm also interested in budget-minded alternatives to the stock turbo. I think I heard that the S5 turbo will bolt right on the S4. Is this correct? I'm guessing I'd need the S5 manifold also.
Thanks for the help!
My friends tell me the car is blowing a good bit of oil smoke on every shift, so I'm guessing it's the turbo bearings. The car has just over 100k on it, so I'm sure its due for a rebuild.
How hard is it to put new bearings in the turbo? How much does it cost? I've already had it off once, to port the wastegate, so I know what I'm in for. It'll be a lot easier the second time around. I noticed a good bit of play in the turbo bearing, but the turbine wasn't scraping the housing, so I put it back together like it was. That was last fall.
I'm also interested in budget-minded alternatives to the stock turbo. I think I heard that the S5 turbo will bolt right on the S4. Is this correct? I'm guessing I'd need the S5 manifold also.
Thanks for the help!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 811
From: One hour north of chicago (Mundelein to be exact)
I was asking about this a while back. I was going to rebuild it myself but you have to balance the shaft. That is not possible without the proper equipment.
Another upgrade is the T04 compressor put on the stock turbine.
Another upgrade is the T04 compressor put on the stock turbine.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,259
From: Schofield Barracks, HI
Originally Posted by rmaiersg' date='Jul 27 2003, 12:03 PM
I was asking about this a while back. I was going to rebuild it myself but you have to balance the shaft. That is not possible without the proper equipment.
Another upgrade is the T04 compressor put on the stock turbine.
Another upgrade is the T04 compressor put on the stock turbine.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 10,906
From: Peoria, AZ
Originally Posted by FrestyleReaction' date='Jul 28 2003, 02:18 AM
[quote name='rmaiersg' date='Jul 27 2003, 12:03 PM'] I was asking about this a while back. I was going to rebuild it myself but you have to balance the shaft. That is not possible without the proper equipment.
Another upgrade is the T04 compressor put on the stock turbine.
Another upgrade is the T04 compressor put on the stock turbine.
Yes larger injectors would be needed, unless you were running low psi. Stock fuel system can only support 10-11psi on the stock turbo.... Many ppl have gotta away with just a piggyback on a compressor upgrade.