looking for a turbo for a 89 supra

robertsws · 06-27-2008, 03:13 AM

take it from someone who just rebuilt his turbo three times. THREE TIMES!!

Buy a rebuilt one, or send it off to be rebuilt. I would suggest here. Home they are great. there are only a handfull of performance turbo shops in the U.S. and even less that can balance a turbo as it requires a $50,000 machine to do it.

I rebuilt mine once and the next morning didn't feel right about it so i did it again. and good thing too, i had reversed the thrust bearing. the only problem is that by doing it twice and not being more precise i screwed up the balance.
it sucked in more oil into the intercooler than it did before i rebuilt it and also caused the compressor wheel to rub the housing. i had to send it to the gpop shop in AZ to be fixed. It is now my spare.

I bought a used one with no play on ebay and rebuilt that one (making damn sure to be precise in putting it back together) and use that one on my supra now. risky i know but it was only a hundred bucks and now i have two good turbos. of course in total it cost about $300 but still not bad for two.

If you choose to rebuild it yourself you can get a good rebuild kit from turbos_r_us on ebay for a good price. their instructions suck though so make sure you do your research online before you touch your turbo. everything must go back together EXACTLY the same way and in EXACTLY the same alignment.

06-27-2008, 03:13 AM	#2
robertsws 3" Exhaust Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland Posts: 63	take it from someone who just rebuilt his turbo three times. THREE TIMES!! Buy a rebuilt one, or send it off to be rebuilt. I would suggest here. Home they are great. there are only a handfull of performance turbo shops in the U.S. and even less that can balance a turbo as it requires a $50,000 machine to do it. I rebuilt mine once and the next morning didn't feel right about it so i did it again. and good thing too, i had reversed the thrust bearing. the only problem is that by doing it twice and not being more precise i screwed up the balance. it sucked in more oil into the intercooler than it did before i rebuilt it and also caused the compressor wheel to rub the housing. i had to send it to the gpop shop in AZ to be fixed. It is now my spare. I bought a used one with no play on ebay and rebuilt that one (making damn sure to be precise in putting it back together) and use that one on my supra now. risky i know but it was only a hundred bucks and now i have two good turbos. of course in total it cost about $300 but still not bad for two. If you choose to rebuild it yourself you can get a good rebuild kit from turbos_r_us on ebay for a good price. their instructions suck though so make sure you do your research online before you touch your turbo. everything must go back together EXACTLY the same way and in EXACTLY the same alignment. __________________ 1991 Supra - Turbo - 5spd 60-1 upgraded turbo Lexus AFM 3" exhaust, 4" tip SAFC 2 550cc injectors (2 sets, venom direct fit, RC engineering) 2.5" intercooler and piping Aluminum radiator w/dual electric fans ARP bolts w/MHG Full-auto turbo timer Fidanza Flywheel & Stage 2 Clutch spark plugs and wires. power steering pump cold temp start switch engine top end rebuilt transmission opened up and inspected at a tranny shop when the flywheel and clutch installed last week. Last edited by robertsws; 06-27-2008 at 03:29 AM.