LeadFootLiam

I did a search and nothing popped up.

I was on the BEGI website and saw how much cheaper the shanghai turbo systems were. When I see "chinese" turbo, the first thing that comes to my mind is that it is cheap and will break soon after install.

Will the Shanghai systems hold up as well as the Garret systems?
Or is it better to get the Garret Turbo Systems?

Even though its a lot cheaper, and provide the same power outputs as the Garret systems, I am a little skeptical, enlighten me please.

mx5-kiwi

Now where is that popcorn smiley....

Play nice boys, the search IS shithouse!!!

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

If only this had ever been discussed before. I'm amazed no one has ever asked this question.
What are the odds that this had never come up before?
What an interesting question. How very insightful to ask something so novel and unique!
I sure hope we are able to get to the bottom of this.

Tekel

iTrader: (2)

I am looking at this BMW 5 series, but I also see this ford Taurus, they both carry 5 people, since the BMW is so much more expensive, will it be more luxurious or is the Taurus a much nicer car?

thirdgen

iTrader: (26)

A local microbrewery brews a double IPA @ 10%abv. They sell it for $47 a case. Bells HopSlam is out right now, for $70 a case. This is like deciding between a Kia optima or a Cadillac cts-v. Sure, the optima is actually a nice car, and you probably could buy 2 of them for the price of 1 caddy, but what would you rather have?
This is like deciding between bankers club, or Johnny walker.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, they'll both get you in the same direction, but it's personal preference if you want the quality.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I honestly don't like the turbo the picked for the shanghai, it's not a good match for the miata; 1.6L or 1.8L.

I'd much rather they build the setup around the T3 I used. I'm sure if you ask them they can make this happen.

thirdgen

iTrader: (26)

Are you talking about the 2854? If so, then I agree.

Preluding

iTrader: (10)

I think I ran a similiar chinabob turbo in my last build...2860 or whatever chinese version.

After porting the exhaust housing (which they do in house on theirs as well I believe) it was very respectable and held up nicely over the 2 years I abused it before moving on. Upgrade options are there later on and yes the better quality turbo is worth the extra $$.

...But if you can't afford a BMW...you buy a Kia and it still gets you from Point A to Point B if you want to stick with the analogies...

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

yes. there's nothing good about this turbo.

it spools slow as **** and has no top-end to boot.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

I really like the sizing of the 2870 I'm using. It will be really good when I finally get to turn the pressure up closer to its sweet spot.

LeadFootLiam

This is the turbo that comes with the shanghai kits? If so, what you said about it is enough for me to avoid it and get the garret.

I'm look at the BEGI S system by the way.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

My turbo cost $250 and works well.

thirdgen

iTrader: (26)

So did mine, it even says garrett on it.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Mine worked well, was $150, and said TRUBO on it.

Tekel

iTrader: (2)

and I have still never figured out what turbo that is...

also, fix your site! [x] <--- dead image link.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

the thread i started about with all the ebay links and description of the turbo throughout the years wasn't enough?

It's this one, but can be found for less: GSP Godspeed T3 Internal Wastegate 48AR 2 5" V Band Turbo Exhaust Turbocharger | eBay

IIRC mine was actually $175 shipped.

NW Bill

It is a cost/benefit analysis question.

Are the Garrett turbos better? Yes. They are better engineered and better built, so produce higher output and are more reliable. Part of this is due to using ball bearings rather than journals; this can increase spin by up to about 15% for the same input.

Are the Shanghai turbos good? Here is what Stephanie from BEGi wrote (in bold italic) about them last summer (note that this only applies to BEGi's Shanghai turbos -- with generic chinachargers YMMV):

===========
From: Bill
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 5:47 PM
To: stephanie@bellengineering.net
Subject: RE: BEGi NB200 kit questions

...

As much as I would like to go with the Garrett and TiAL options, they really kick up the initial cost of this kit. OTOH, I consider the Chinese parts the weakest links in the kit, at least in terms of reliability, so maybe I should reconsider my budget.

When it is all said and done the Chinese turbo has been significantly more reliable than we ever expected it to be. I would not hesitate to use one on my own car. The whole premise behind using it is that if it breaks it is cheap to replace. You could buy 3 or 4 Chinese turbos to one Garrett turbo. Short of the turbo being assembled wrong by the manufacturer, what will fail a Chinese turbo will fail a Garrett turbo.


https://www.miataturbo.net/prefabbed...t-71558/page4/
===========

Bottom line: The Garrett is better, but you pay for it. The considerable savings (about $700-800) of the cost of the Shanghai turbo may allow for other upgrades that increase system power and/or reliability, and replacement of the turbo if necessary.

In the end, it depends on how deeply you are willing/able to reach into your pockets for what you want.

BTW, the Shanghai S1 kit ($1618) has two different turbos, the T25/T28 and the T2871 (+$150). The Garrett S1 kit ($2195) comes with three turbos, the 2554, 2560 (+$200), and T2860 (+$200).

With either kit, BEGi goes through the turbos before sending them out, for reclocking, etc (or has you send them your turbo so they can go through it), which may help explain why they have had better-then-expected results from the Shanghai turbos.

Bill

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

even if they are reliable, ive seen plently that produced results that left little to be desired.

Cwalter11289

I am running a begi kit with the Garrett gt2860 on 18psi with a few extra goodies that's what I would go with and I have the s3 kit

Sentic

iTrader: (1)

this.

I've been running a 2856 churbo for a year or so, the spool is considerably worse than what I've understood that the garrets are capable of. On the other hand, the car makes decent power and drives very nice.

If you want the optimal, go with garret.
If you like me, figure "what the hell, if I'm not satisfied I can always get a garret later on", then I really haven't got anything bad to say about the reliability (so far).