Is the K04r worth it?
 

I've been looking into getting one lately but it seems like everyone is split on whether or not this turbo is a good upgrade. Most people suggest to just go with a ZZP turbo but I'm on a budget and I don't want to have to worry about the trans in the future. I'm not looking to make crazy power, just want to stop the drop off in the higher rpms, and have a little more power. A lot of what I saw said its not worth it unless you run E85 or meth, neither of which would happen any time soon. What do you guys think about running one on the stock IC with 93?

Spend the extra couple hundred on the z54, more power available without needing meth or E to get there.

I would only recommend the R if your turbo is done and are on a budget. But even then I wasn't impressed with it on pump gas. I agree with the above just save for the z54

Save for a z54 or possibly the new one from BNR. Before I got anything else though I would replace the stock ic because while it does a good job for a stock intercooler, at high airflow levels it's only a matter of time before you crack the end tanks. If you only have 91 octane around you the r won't get you much. With 93, a little, with e it does better. Unless your factory turbo is shot, and you are broke, then the r isn't a bad deal.

You will also need money for the tune to maximize potential on any turbo other than stock.

You will also need money for the tune to maximize potential on any turbo other than stock.

I was GMS1 when I bought the car and went with a custom tune (bought HP tuners and tuned it myself). Was bone stock other than that. HUGE improvement with a custom tune.

Do change the IC as was mentioned. My end tank blew out not too many weeks after I tuned at 23 psi. That left me stranded and a $200 towing bill back home. A few months later, the upper charge pipe split open. Got lucky and duct tape manage to hold that together until I got the ZZP upper charge pipe. Probably want to do the upper charge pipe also with the IC for the same reliability reasons.

Have been fine every since at 23-24psi though, so the rest of the system seems to be able to take it.