To what extent can turbos not be repaired?

[ImElvis]

I'm looking at a turbocharged car, and it says that a turbo might be going out on the post.
They didn't provide all that much information but I was wondering how "repairable" are turbochargers before they have to be replaced? My budget isn't looking too good to buy a replacement turbocharger.
The post says the car has a "computer chip",exhaust, and a HKS blow off valve.
The car still runs with 117,xxx miles.

 

[Tam4511]

you have the CL link?

i wouldnt buy it if he said it has a "computer chip" in it, he doesnt know wtf he has

 

[ImElvis]

you have the CL link?

i wouldnt buy it if he said it has a "computer chip" in it, he doesnt know wtf he has

Let me just warn you.. it's a Nissan lol I understand if you won't help me. I was just hoping for a "turbochargers in general" answer. I wanted to know what I'd be getting myself into if I went for the deal. I have a friend mechanic that has experience with turbochargers but I can't reach him at the moment.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/2156124736.html

 

[Prozon]

Sounds like he doesn't speak very good english. I'd pass on it. Seems a little.. "sketchy."

 

[Rich-PMS]

Turbos for a 300zx are 2500+
labor to PULL the motor inorder to replace them= 2500+


Do NOT buy a 300zx unless you have 5k sitting a side that you're willing to dump into it.


Trust me, I owned one for 5 years, and worked on several. Stock- upto 630whp on 93



And FYI- a jwt/ash/specialty Z computer chip will net 75+whp gains with itake/exhaust/boost jets.

The aftermarket ecu chip scene is VERY precise, and yeild spitacular gains for "just a chip"

 

[nathan_carmona]

You can build a turbo from scratch if you want. If his stock turbo goes, you can replace it with the same trim aftermarket turbo.

 

[ImElvis]

Sounds like he doesn't speak very good english. I'd pass on it. Seems a little.. "sketchy."

Yeah that's what I was thinking at first but I haven't seen a TT 300zx around for this cheap, the rest are like 10k

Turbos for a 300zx are 2500+
labor to PULL the motor inorder to replace them= 2500+


Do NOT buy a 300zx unless you have 5k sitting a side that you're willing to dump into it.


Trust me, I owned one for 5 years, and worked on several. Stock- upto 630whp on 93



And FYI- a jwt/ash/specialty Z computer chip will net 75+whp gains with itake/exhaust/boost jets.

The aftermarket ecu chip scene is VERY precise, and yeild spitacular gains for "just a chip"

Holy crap.. I thought I would just have to un-bolt the turbocharger itself which would be sitting in plain open view and replace it with a new one. I never thought a chip could add that much HP.. the factory must really be holding us back. Can you do much with a N/A 2+2 300zx? I've seen a lot of those around.

 

[ImElvis]

You can build a turbo from scratch if you want. If his stock turbo goes, you can replace it with the same trim aftermarket turbo.

Yeah I looked it up, it's about $600 for it. I don't know much about turbo setups yet so I'm still doing some research. I found a never-installed "universal" T4 on CL for $150 but I have no clue if it'll work as a replacement, nor if it's bigger or smaller.
Link to the T4

 

[Prozon]

Usually if it's too good to be true it usually is.
Seems odd that he knows his turbo is bad, and he conveniently has no use for the car anymore.

 

[michaelz]

well if the turbo seal is gone, it can be cheaply repaired depending on how easily it comes out of the engine bay.

if there's shaft play you need a new core cartridge put into the turbo. needs to be professionally done. medium cost.

if the turbo has seized, it's in a tight engine bay like a 300ZX or GTO, engine out job. on top they have 2 turbos so you should probably check the other one while the motor is out. high cost scenario.

if you really want a good idea what it's gonna cost post up what car it is.

 

[BrokenTalon27]

I'd shy away from the 300ZX TT... car is a pain in the ass.

 

[ImElvis]

Usually if it's too good to be true it usually is.
Seems odd that he knows his turbo is bad, and he conveniently has no use for the car anymore.

:shock: never really thought of that..

well if the turbo seal is gone, it can be cheaply repaired depending on how easily it comes out of the engine bay.

if there's shaft play you need a new core cartridge put into the turbo. needs to be professionally done. medium cost.

if the turbo has seized, it's in a tight engine bay like a 300ZX or GTO, engine out job. on top they have 2 turbos so you should probably check the other one while the motor is out. high cost scenario.

if you really want a good idea what it's gonna cost post up what car it is.

The CL link is on the 1st post. It's a 1990 Nissan 300zx TT but it seems like you already knew from your answer..? I'll give him a call to find out more about the problem. I'm really hoping it's a small/cheap problem and he was just too lazy to look into it.

 

[Leolo007]

First hint: "I purchased THE CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO" and already selling?
Second hint: "THE CAR RUNS IT TURNS ON" Is that the best description 'it turns on'??
Third hint from yourself: "I haven't seen a TT 300zx around for this cheap, the rest are like 10k"

Im no turbo expert but one thing I know is 300ZX and 3000GT are not the cars to have.

If you want to get into a turbo car for cheap, try maybe an MKIII VW 1.8T, I had a cousin that had a pretty fast mid 90s Volvo 940 turbo. Or try a DSM.

Im planning on slapping a turbo on my teg I think thats the best option!!

my $0.02

 

[BrokenTalon27]

First hint: "I purchased THE CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO" and already selling?
Second hint: "THE CAR RUNS IT TURNS ON" Is that the best description 'it turns on'??
Third hint from yourself: "I haven't seen a TT 300zx around for this cheap, the rest are like 10k"

Im no turbo expert but one thing I know is 300ZX and 3000GT are not the cars to have.

If you want to get into a turbo car for cheap, try maybe an MKIII VW 1.8T, I had a cousin that had a pretty fast mid 90s Volvo 940 turbo. Or try a DSM.

Im planning on slapping a turbo on my teg I think thats the best option!!

my $0.02

I vote this option. I'd rather spend my money on a 1G AWD DSM than a Z33.

 

[ImElvis]

First hint: "I purchased THE CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO" and already selling?
Second hint: "THE CAR RUNS IT TURNS ON" Is that the best description 'it turns on'??
Third hint from yourself: "I haven't seen a TT 300zx around for this cheap, the rest are like 10k"

Im no turbo expert but one thing I know is 300ZX and 3000GT are not the cars to have.

If you want to get into a turbo car for cheap, try maybe an MKIII VW 1.8T, I had a cousin that had a pretty fast mid 90s Volvo 940 turbo. Or try a DSM.

Im planning on slapping a turbo on my teg I think thats the best option!!

my $0.02

I vote this option. I'd rather spend my money on a 1G AWD DSM than a Z33.

Oh yeah.. totally forgot about the DSM, although the 1G doesn't look too good imo. Not much of a VW fan, and I find Volvo looks better as the SUV or some sedans. I'm not turbo expert either but doesn't "twin" turbo mean something like twice the power of a single turbo?