I just bought a journal bearing t25 from the zilvia.net forum for $60. It has minimal shaft play but I still would like to rebuild it before installing it on my car as I don't know how the seals are.
Now, G-pop sells the regular kit for $85 and they high performance kit for $155.
From their website "High-performance rebuilds include a stepped-gap piston ring instead of the standard piston ring (if your turbo model has this option), as well as a heavy duty steel 360° thrust bearing instead of the 270° bronze thrust bearing"

Do you guys think it is worth spending the extra money for the high performance kit or would the regular kit be good enough. I plan on running it on a stock 1.6 at a maximum of 12 psi, I just want it to be reliable and last a long time.

Also, would you send the chra to get balanced? I never used the turbo and have no way to know if it has been rebuilt in the past

I searched on the topic but couldnt find anything.

Thanks

 

Just buy the basic kit. I rebuilt my t25 like 50,000 miles ago and have yet to have any issues.
Balancing? Not necessary, just don't bend any fins or anything and you'll be fine.
Samnavy has a great write up on how to rebuild these turbos. Check it out.

 

Thanks! I did read the sticky on how to rebuild. I feel like using a bronze bearing would make the shaft last longer, steel on steel may lead the wear on the actual shaft. But I dont know what grade of steel the high performance bearing is.