Chinese or not Chinese that is the question?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi all

Ive just bought a 1989 era. Well ive have boost issues and it turns out the turbo is fucked!!

So do I buy a cheep Chinese cartridge or pay through the nose for a genuine rebuild with garrett parts!

Obviously the garage has been giving me the horror stories about cheap Chinese stuff but is this justified?

Let me know your thoughts!

My mate runs a chinese copy in his vauxhall for about 2.5 years now. No issues at the moment. Thinck they came a long way. He is a mechanic at opel. Reason he bought a cheap Chinese one instead of the original from vauxhall. ... he spends half of his time replacing broken turbos from the newer models... ( the shaft seems to brake all the time)

you can do anything if you set your mind to it...
i rather blow it up winning than keep it together losing.

finish date set for project 1... march 2018

The difference in price is massive. Im really tempted but I have also been told horror stories.

I've run one with no problems or loss in performance. But a race car rather than a road car so not a lot of miles.

They are definately better than they were. Not a lot of movimg parts in a turbo, I was always more concerned with poor impellor/turbine tolerance affecting efficiency; but they seem ok.

Worth a punt, I used 'max speeding rods' on ebay he offers a 12 month guarantee. EDIT: I see you'renot in the UK.

Edited by wil_h on 23rd Jan, 2017.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

Ive heard nothing but good things to be honest. Ive got one on the blue mini and i think Brett knows a few guys who run em on skylines with no bother.

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

I'd be even more tight and chuck a £30 rebuild kit on it.

This is assuming that the turbine/compressor haven't touched the housings. But if they had, you'd be looking at a complete turbo rather than a cartridge.

In the 13's at last!.. Just

I bought a Gt1752 off ebay for £115 delievered with a 3 year warranty

Doubt the car will be on road in 3 years time however

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

I got an eBay max speeding gt17, not actually used it but compared to the genuine I am using there is barely any difference at all.

Put it this way, I know certain OEM manufacturers turboxhargers cost them around £40 per unit, says a lot about the resale cost of a replacement, and the price difference between a 'genuine' and a 'chinese' one, as I bet there's absolutely no difference in them whatsoever. On these turbos I've noticed the shaft play alarming, so I hope the oil pressure removes it!

I have run a cheap chinese gt17 on a benross motor producing over 170hp ,13psi for a good 18 months (3500 miles) and no issues with the turbo at all. I could do with taking it off to inspect it for any play.

I have run a cheap chinese gt17 on a benross motor producing over 170hp ,13psi for a good 18 months (3500 miles) and no issues with the turbo at all. I could do with taking it off to inspect it for any play.

I have biought plenty of chinese chras soe have been outstanding, most perfectly fine and some utter shite. I have taken some of the suspect ones apart and found 270 thrust bearings where there should be 360s . Have also had some bad luck with the efficiency of the wheels as diesels which say made boost by 1500 are now doing so at 1750. Not a big deal to the driver but it prevents particulate system from regenerating. Point is while qualitys came on leaps and bounds there is still some shite out there so you need to be aware ots a gamble

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

To be honest im really surprised how many people have had good experiences with Chinese turbos. I thought it would be a wave of negative comments.

As it happens i've got my hands on a genuine garret cheap so i took that option but i wont rule out Chinese in the future then.

Many skylines running 500+ on chinese turbos
I ran a chinese bases hybrid for 10k miles 2 years with 2 step and a flatshifter
I sold it on as used with zero play, after i had cleaned it the new owner thought i had sent him a naw turbo by accident

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett