1.8t turbo swap

[jhanna]

Does anyone have experience with a turbo swap on a 1.8T? If so, how is it? My stock turbo just went and I'm thinking about going k04 replacement along with new exhaust and some other misc valves.

Thanks,
Jeff

[meatwad!!]

it looks pretty easy. couple bolts.. ive changed my downpipe a few times..

[boostin20v]

why do you feel your OE turbo "went". In most cases there is another cause.

[jhanna]

118k miles, been chipped since 30k with crappy TAP software. My cat is also making all sorts of noise so possibly something from that end. I can rock the inlet wheel back and forth about 1/8" - 1/4" and it feels ok in that small movement - almost like something is blocking it.

[RichB]

118k miles, been chipped since 30k with crappy TAP software. My cat is also making all sorts of noise so possibly something from that end. I can rock the inlet wheel back and forth about 1/8" - 1/4" and it feels ok in that small movement - almost like something is blocking it.

Is that side to side play on the turbo's shaft??? If so, it would weem that you would need to replace the turbo (Stu though and a number of other here are muc more knowledgable in this point than me though :) )

A KO4-001 is a direct bolt on replacement for the KO3. I think this is what Eager18T (Chris) down in Ithaca has on his GTI. If I recall correctly, he did the swap himself with the help of the Ithaca guys.

Mat (CustomrFabVW) I think has the more complex KO4-02x set-up on his Jetta GLI and did the install himself, but he is a tech/mehcanic that works on dubs! :cool:

[jhanna]

No, not side to side play but rotation. I could rotate it back and forth just a little bit instead of it spinning freely. I think mine would be a K04-015, but the kit says it is direct bolt on replacement for K03. My car is a 98 A4, Thanks for the info.

[boostin20v]

uhh, ya if you can not spin it (rotation) its toast!

Rich was quoting the k04-01 as I think he thought you had a Mk4 Golf/Jetta.

Big thing to think about.....if your turbo is that far gone its likely there was a oil starvation issue or cooling issues. I would seriously make sure your engine hasnt developed sludging (even the smallest bit) before you replace the turbo.

Depending on how big of a turbo you want the Audi ATP Eliminator kits have a good track record (not so much the transverse VW kits).

[RichB]

Ahhh OK! The swap on the A4 should not be hard I would think becuase of the logitudinal motor set-up and there is a fair amount of space down there in a B5 1.8T engine bay from what I have seen. Sounds like you got the right version of the KO4-01x too... should be a direct bolt on.

[jhanna]

uhh, ya if you can not spin it (rotation) its toast!

Rich was quoting the k04-01 as I think he thought you had a Mk4 Golf/Jetta.

Big thing to think about.....if your turbo is that far gone its likely there was a oil starvation issue or cooling issues. I would seriously make sure your engine hasnt developed sludging (even the smallest bit) before you replace the turbo.

Depending on how big of a turbo you want the Audi ATP Eliminator kits have a good track record (not so much the transverse VW kits).

it almost feels like something got in there and is preventing it from spinning. anyways i was planning on new turbo oil supply/return lines, but how do i check for sludging?

EDIT: and can it be de-sludged?

I thought about the ATP kits, but I don't really want to get into a FMIC and new clutch..

since my cat is falling apart and i hate my exhaust i was thinking about going with a new oem cat and milltek cat back. is that reasonably doable on jack stands or should I shop that out?

[boostin20v]

remove your valve cover and you should be able to tell if it is clean or not. if not then i would remove your oil and and clean out the oil pickup as thats likely sludged too. desludge via degreaser agents.

cat/catback shouldnt be too bad - Pete (vwtuning) has access to a garage in b-ville with a lift too.