Noob turbo selection help...
 

Hey everybody,
Long story short my car was wrecked and because it wasn't a total loss I'm jumping in with both feet. I've got a reverant built ms2 on the way, and I'll be picking up some 550cc injectors (standard stuff really).
My current setup is a diy mani, and down pipe, with a china charger on it (was labeled as a godspeed gt25, physically it was smaller then the sr20 t25 I leant to someone who lost it). It has a ridiculous amount of shaft play and you can see the blades have contacted the housing and are wearing away. So now i'm looking at a new turbo too (well new to me).
My goals are to have 250whp. Maybe have a little headroom. Spool isn't that important to me but I don't want it to take all day either. I'd also like to be able to be faster or not much slower than a 2011 BMW 335is (I don't really care about this either it's just that my cousin has one and thinks its the cats meow).
I was originally looking at getting another china charger (godspeed 2871) but because of the inconsistent results I'm going to try and stay away from them. So I was thinking of an sr20 t25, however I'm not sure I'll be over reaching its limits just a little (This is really my first choice), I've been looking at garrett T3's as well or something off of a volvo. I'm not sure how well they'd work. I recently stumbled across the td04hl-16t. I know virtually nothing about this other then I'd have to make new flanges for it to work. I'm not sure what its range is as far as psi/flow rate is concerned, and unless it'll be fantastic its at the bottom of my list.
So now that I've posted a bunch of nonsense I guess my main question is should I get a garrett sr20 t25? Will it be ok running around 14-15psi(I've read this is the limit). Will it be able to get me close to 250whp?

I hit 225 whp on 12 psi with my sr20. I'll sell it to you.

Haha thats pretty funny you'd say that because today on was looking throughb yourb threads to try and find details of your setup

I would use exactly the same T3 turbo that Braineack uses. He had great results and the cost was like 150 bucks or something like that.

Also, check out Underdog's build. He managed 250whp with ease from his china T3

Underdog threads for your viewing pleasure
https://www.miataturbo.net/build-threads-57/underdogs-de-greddified-sunburst-yellow-48386/
https://www.miataturbo.net/dynos-timesheets-21/back-dyno-my-de-greddified-1-6l-diy-setup-56729/

and a cool Braineack thread
https://www.miataturbo.net/dynos-timesheets-21/1-6l-t3-chinatarder-ms3x-236hp-235tq-53544/

Cool cool. Thanks for the info. I will look into it. I also forgot to mention that my car is a 2001. So its looking like either a sr20 t25 or china t3. Both will require me to change some flanges but thats not really a big deal.

My setup is pretty much an FM hotside kit with a junkyarded SR20 t25 turbo. I fabbed the intercooler plumbing myself and bought a used FM intercooler. Nothing really special otherwise.
I eliminated things like A/C and MAF, and I run MS 2 full Standalone...other than that stuff and an FM level 1 clutch, she's all factory.

So you think something like this will be acceptable? Providing decent spool, reliability, and enough headroom to put me in the danger to manifold, 5 speed destroying zone? I'm pretty wary about buying another china charger. As I heard about inconsistent results. Also I know a guy who will sell me a sr20 t25 turbo right now. But still thinking about headroom, etc...I'm extremely slow when it comes to doing anything to my car. Also I'm running a log manifold and 2.5" down pipe. I'll probably build a 2.5" down pipe back soon. I'm also designing (solid works) some nifty looking manifolds to do a low mount set up.

You want at least a 2560 if you want some headroom. A 2554 will not make it to the 250hp.

The hx series turbos are decent and provide great spool characteristics whilst being affordable. Slightly biased because I have one about to be mounted on my chaser (hx35). These can also be rebuilt pretty cheap.

Thats what I've read as well. Dumb question is the sr turbo comparable to the 2554? I was reading about the possibility of rebuilding the sr turbo with a ball bearing CHRA (I think that's right) and having it be like a new 2560 then. But really I'm still pretty confused about that.

The SR20 T25 is comparable to the 2554, but it's a journal bearing unit. The sr20 turbine wheel I think it slightly larger than the 2554.
To make a SR20 become silimar to a 2560, you need to upgrade the compressor wheel to a "big T28 wheel" which is 60 trim, 60 mm. The SR20 compressor uses a 56mm wheel I believe. You also cannot just swap wheels, you have to bore out the compressor.
http://gpopshop.com/
That company does the boring and they sell the new wheel. For the price though, you're better off just finding a ball bearing 2560 right from the get go.

Thanks for all the info. Sorry I just noticed I didn't post a link earlier. I meant to post this http://www.ebay.com/itm/350133319881...#ht_5187wt_986
It's the turbo underdog originally had. He felt it was to big and went with a smaller T3 like brain's. On a 1.8 would this still be a little large?

For 250hp? Yeah. But, if you want headroom for more power in the future, then this would be fine *if* you are comfortable with having a slower spooling turbo. But remember, this is all subjective. What matters most is what you want and what type of powerband you want.

(edit) I'd use the larger turbo, but that's just my preference.

Yeah I'm just worried I could be really disappointed in the turbo. The only video I saw of a T3 (other then underdogs) it seemed like no power, no power, 5000rpm ok now there's power. I feel like that would suck. On the other hand. Thirdgen gave me a ride in his car yesterday. Our setups are very similar except he has a garrett. His turbo spools stupid fast, but in my opinion it kind of leaves me hanging on the top end. So I think I'd be willing to sacrifice low-midrange for upper-midrange and top end. I do also plan on doing things that may help spool. Like a low mount tubular manifold.

Honestly, the more you post about what you want, the more I hear "gt2560" screaming in my head. It literally covers everything you just described.

Yeah you're probably right. Problem is now I have "big" turbo stuck in my head and I keep thinking about that T3/T4 I posted the link to, now I really want it. Unfortunately I don't think I have the means to take advantage of it (built motor). Also I wasn't planning on rebuilding my whole system now which would probably help the performance of the bigger turbo. Think I could start spooling that thing by 4000rpm?

So now I'm really stuck on the bigger turbo idea. I may offer a really low price and see if they'll accept and get an sr20 t25 as a place holder. That way if I hate the bigger turbo I can have a working turbo and then save up for a better one.
I also snapped a picture of the progress on my car. It's disassembled and waiting to go on the frame bench and get a new quarter panel. But I have to go to work now so I'll post the picture later.

The larger turbo you want is T3 foot print, not compatible with the T2 foot print of the SR20 T25g. So remember that you'll need to change manifolds/downpipes if/when you plan on switching.

Edit: What engine do you have in your car? Big difference using a T3/T4 on a B6 versus a BP w/ vvt.

What is that difference. I just bought a 03 with vvt to swap in to mine and would be interested in the effect it has on turbo choice. Please elaborate viper

Are you asking the difference between the turbo footprints or the engines?

Turbo flanges:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1326831201
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1326831201


BP w/ vvt head is considered to be the easiest combo to make power on and vvt helps with spool.