I look at the exhaust port and theres a nice crack. A hairline crack that to me looks like with more expansion and contraction of heat will only grow. The only reason i want to just think that im overworrying is cause why would BTF send me a defected turbo, so either way here are some pics, cell phone quality. If anyone can lay to rest whether im worrying over nothing or that i better send it back, i would much appreciate it.

 

Thats no good, hope he replaces it for you.

 

i would definitely send it back.

 

It cost $25 for shipping and I had big plans to install it this coming Thursday, so this is going to be a big PITA, are you guys certain that this is a "lemon", im just wondering why i would get sent this?

 

Why would you take the chance of putting it on and then have to turn around and take it off and send it back, save yourself the trouble, spend the $25 and send it back before you install it. Any crack is a no-no!

 

^ true. It maybe a PITA but that's better than a blown engine

 

Good News! Called Rick at BTF and he said that all the used turbos have that crack. He says than when i pull mine out that its most likely going to have that same crack. I believe him and will verify it when i take the stocker out. But anyways so far it stands that, that crack IS NOT A PROBLEM.

Will let everyone know Thursday night/Friday morning if the stock turbo has a crack. BTF has great customer support and i feel im giving them the wrong image complaining about the crack to find out its common, so im going post what the stock one looks like

 

oh thank god. I thought it was a bad thing lol

 

Now im just waiting for my synapse BOV, fedex says its on delivery. Can't wait til next Thursday

 

Indeed they do. Here is my stocker.

 

so wait i'm confused you are getting the k04 wheel upgrade on the stock turbo right?

 

so, tell me, why is a crack a good thing?? Why is it happening? What can be done to prevent it?

 

im guessing stress and heat.

 

X2 for stress and heat. Rapid heating and cooling or really anything of the sort leads to thermal stresses and therefore possible cracking. I won't call it a good thing, but it was good news to find out that its normal.

Yes, i just received it today. In essence its a used turbo as he machines them himself, so it was pulled off of a solstice or cobalt that already had some use.

 

oh sweet. Are there any dyno numbers for this? I would like to do it but with my setup I should already be at about 325 whp and don't know how much this would help me. Because I am sure my turbo is tapped out

 

Quoted from BTF's store:
"This is a upgraded compressor wheel for the stock turbo. You will need to send in your stock turbo for the modification. Turn around time is usually 1-2 days pending on shopload. With just tuning this turbo made 295rwhp and 325rwtq in the Kappa chassis. On the CBSS it put down 322whp/370trq with minimal tuning. Since the trans is the same one could expect the HHRSS to do the same. You may need supporting mods to run this turbo at higher boost levels @ low rpm to avoid compressor surge."

 

that doesn't really answer my question. I am pushing about 325whp and the turbo is maxed out. How much would I expect from this upgrade?

 

Hey man, im not a professional. My guess is its all in the tuning and support mods. Your best shot is to look on the solstice forum and see whos running this turbo with similar mods or call Rick @ BTF at 585-478-5953. I can give you a number horsepower wise, and my guess would be LESS than 375 whp. Im thinking at that much power its going to take more like NOS or water meth. Just please don't quote me

 

haha no it's cool dude. I'm just curious. Well let us know how it is when you do it. I just got a tune via Trifecta today so I have boost in my veins right now

 

i've yanked 2 of these guys so far and seen pics of more over on the solstice forum and everyone i've seen is cracked. i yanked mine off the first time with 5k mi on it and it was cracked. compressor housings crack all the time, ask any dsm guy. that split in the middle is for the dual scroll setup, 2 cyl blow across the small part of the turbine wheel and 2 cyl blow across the big part to help spool times. a crack in that area isnt going to do anything. the cracks you want to watch out for are the ones around the wastegate flap and anything to an external wall. i've known rick at btf for awhile now and i know he wouldnt send you out something he knows would fail on ya.

 

Hey buddy! How's the 35R?

 

back in rick's very capable hands for a few more goodies at the moment. but so far no problems, i think i got about 12k on the setup now. i'm just waiting for some cash to spare on tryin to get the gm stage 2 to work with the monster so i can really uncork her and see what she'll do.

 

You can expect more hp at higher rpm, while the stock turbo starts running out of breath near redline the upgraded one will keep flowing.

 

I would love to see what this thing dyno's with a good tune. I wouldn't look for vast improvements in peak power but more power over the entire rpm range.

 

ones I've seen in the teardown room w/ significant hours on them are cracked in 1 or 2 places