Thread: Ebay/cheap turbos, opinions?

I've done some searching on other forums, such as the evo forums, and it's more of be brave to try it.
What do you guys think about using an ebay turbo?

Here's my reasoning:
1) you buy a used turbo off of someone in person or on a forum (claims little or minimal shaft play)

2) then the turbo blows up or seals go bad, etc... and then you have to go and get it rebuilt for about $400

So now you have paid for a rebuild plus about $400 for the price of the turbo you bought

Ebay turbos:
now there are sellers on ebay selling turbos that are supposed to be "balanced", and also include 1yr warranties if installed by a professional

examples:
GT2860 350hp oil/water cooled 25psi max $320 shipped
GT2870 420hp oil/water cooled 25-30psi max $380 shipped

Now let's say my goal is 300-350hp, how crazy would it be to buy the second turbo and run it at low boost (let's say 15psi) which isn't putting too much strain on the turbo and the turbo lasts a year

OR let's say the turbo hold's up for 8 months and then I try to blow it up before the year is up, just to get a warranty replacement...
Isn't that worth the investment?

all things are considered(injectors, MAF, fuel, tuning, etc....)]

opinions?

I am seriously considering trying this out, just to see what happens

If you treat your good turbo right, it'll last much longer than a year. And the Ebay companies make you jump through flaming hoops to get the warranty

I have heard of some people getting knockoff discos that are going pretty good.

theres a few people here in the dallas area having good luck with ebay turbos, theres a civic thats running 10's on a under $300 ebay "60-1" wich is just stamped as a gt35 for example, im sure they wont last near as long though

You get what you paid for

Very true. I have first hand experience with chinese copies. They have no quality control so buyer beware.

Exactly. My genuine garrett has a exchange discount. I just picked up a brand new GT3076R CHRA for $450! Take that ebay! Sure the initial cost was pretty expensive, but if I ever damage it it is good to know that garrett backs their stuff.

Plus people have had these turbos fall apart on them. Some have been glued together. And some have the worst balancing I have ever seen in my life. One turbo I got the joy of tearing apart had a compressor that was so horribly cast that the wheel was ground to be razor thin just to get it balanced. That particular compressor wheel came apart under boost.

I guess it wasn't strong enough.

But you can find really good deals on ebay. One of my best friends rebuilds turbos and sells them on ebay. We do everything on the turbos from balancing to matching housings for street cars. It works out pretty good, and from the friends I know using his turbos not one has had a single issue!

this is what i am talking about. chinese copies are junk. I used to first article inspection for a fourtune 500 company and nothing past on the first try. In fact my company used to change the specs so the chinese crap would pass.

^^^^ agree ... sometimes going cheap is good depending on what it is ... u want to go with a known name turbo cause u know the quilty is there ... is it worth have a turbo break every year or 6 months ... the down time would suck a$$ ... i cant live without my car im sure ur the same ... i almost mad that mistake but miko talked me out if it, then i found a celica gt4 for sale im MINT condition minus the paint job ... no more turbo ve dreams ... just spend the cash and buy a good turbo u wonr regret it

blah blah james u prob going to get it just to get lol