DIY Turbo Build - Old T28 Vs. Chinacharger
Hey folks,
Been lurking since last August, when I was looking to install a homebrew supercharger kit using the Eaton M45 from the MINI Cooper S into my '99 NB RS.
Unfortunately, the inlet pipework fouled on the ABS unit, and short of removing the ABS (which I didn't want to do), I was into some real heath robinson work arounds...
...therefore flogged the supercharger and fitment parts last month, and decided turbo was the way forward... :P
Anyway, I did a 'search' and there's obviously lots of info on this - But everyone's set up is a little different, so opinions appreciated.
I've got an FM manifold / Outlet / DP, which will connect to a custom 2.5" s/s DP back system (with 200 cell cat). Also using FM's oil & water lines.
Fuelling's handled via a MS2 DIYPnP built by Braineack / Reverent, using a Vishnu dual feed rail flowing RX7 460cc injectors. There's a great big HKS air to air i/c which I'm bolting to the front (with a high flow alu rad).
This leaves the turbo - I've been gifted a genuine T28 from a 200 SX Nissan. Condition unknown, as it's sat in a box for 4 years. No real 'in / out' shaft play, but that's about all I can say about it. It has a journal bearing, so could be rebuilt - But I've been quoted $480 for this...(!)

Obviously a chinacharger would be cheaper - So:
1. Any advice on the genuine T28? Run with it and see? Bite the bullet and rebuild?
or
2. Put it back in its box, and buy a chinacharger - But what spec would be best with my set up, and where from? (Car will be used for race track work, so don't want too much lag...
)
Opinions very much appreciated - I'm new to this, and there's some great information / knowledgable members on here...
Been lurking since last August, when I was looking to install a homebrew supercharger kit using the Eaton M45 from the MINI Cooper S into my '99 NB RS.
Unfortunately, the inlet pipework fouled on the ABS unit, and short of removing the ABS (which I didn't want to do), I was into some real heath robinson work arounds...
...therefore flogged the supercharger and fitment parts last month, and decided turbo was the way forward... :P
Anyway, I did a 'search' and there's obviously lots of info on this - But everyone's set up is a little different, so opinions appreciated.
I've got an FM manifold / Outlet / DP, which will connect to a custom 2.5" s/s DP back system (with 200 cell cat). Also using FM's oil & water lines.
Fuelling's handled via a MS2 DIYPnP built by Braineack / Reverent, using a Vishnu dual feed rail flowing RX7 460cc injectors. There's a great big HKS air to air i/c which I'm bolting to the front (with a high flow alu rad).
This leaves the turbo - I've been gifted a genuine T28 from a 200 SX Nissan. Condition unknown, as it's sat in a box for 4 years. No real 'in / out' shaft play, but that's about all I can say about it. It has a journal bearing, so could be rebuilt - But I've been quoted $480 for this...(!)

Obviously a chinacharger would be cheaper - So:
1. Any advice on the genuine T28? Run with it and see? Bite the bullet and rebuild?
or
2. Put it back in its box, and buy a chinacharger - But what spec would be best with my set up, and where from? (Car will be used for race track work, so don't want too much lag...
)Opinions very much appreciated - I'm new to this, and there's some great information / knowledgable members on here...
Last edited by Fluoxetine; Jun 24, 2011 at 07:49 AM. Reason: Insert image
$480 to rebuild, lol.
Run it as it, and if you need to rebuild and/or go chinacharger it's easy and cheap.
I'd much rather have that garrett than most of the chinacharger options in a similar size.
Run it as it, and if you need to rebuild and/or go chinacharger it's easy and cheap.
I'd much rather have that garrett than most of the chinacharger options in a similar size.
The actual reply I got from the overhaul company was a two liner -
"hi
a repair is between £250.00 to £375.00+vat, inc carriage ."
VAT is 20% in the UK, so $480 was the cheapest it could be - It might be as much as $720...(!)
You can see why us UK based MX5 owners are forever trying to buy parts from the US...
The front housing has been through my 'parts washer', so I suppose I should give it a go...
"hi
a repair is between £250.00 to £375.00+vat, inc carriage ."
VAT is 20% in the UK, so $480 was the cheapest it could be - It might be as much as $720...(!)
You can see why us UK based MX5 owners are forever trying to buy parts from the US...
The front housing has been through my 'parts washer', so I suppose I should give it a go...

rebuilding a t28 is something you can do in your garage. I've done a few. But don't rebuild it if it doens't need it, you say there's no shaft play so unless there's a bad seal the bearings should be fine.
lol at VAT tax. just sayin'
lol at VAT tax. just sayin'
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Zaphod
MEGAsquirt
47
Oct 26, 2018 11:00 PM







