Okay guys. I am not asking about a specific turbo, more of a general question.

A HKS turbo costs about 2x the price of a similar Garrett Turbo. Is it worth the extra money for the HKS with essentially the same specs as the Garrett? Is the HKS truly that much of a superior turbo to the Garrett?

Just wanted to get your opinions. Like I said, not about a specific turbo. More about the 2 brands in general.

Thanks.


-Sayajin

 

I am pretty sure that Garrett makes HKS turbos

 

I believe that Garrett makes the compressor wheels.


-Sayajin

 

HKS turbochargers are made by Garrett,like Greddy ones are made by Mitsubishi,like the Blitz ones are made by KKK,like Apexi ones are made by............................

The HKS units are supposed to be made to their specs,but nonetheless still made by Garrett.

 

HKS offers combinations and trims not available through Garrett.

 

HKS is overpriced. Just get a comparable turbo from Garrett from any of the U.S. vendors. JDM is not always tite.

 

...

 

The only differance that I know of, is that HKS machines an inlet velocity stack on the compressor. I know they do this on the T51 series, cant say for sure on the rest.

Either way it's only good for .5%-.75% increase..

Just get Garrett..

 

Garrett Japan produce most of Garretts GT BB turbos and virtually all the HKS optioned cartridges . HKS have had their own turbine and compressor housings cast and machined at times to suit specific applications . The trumpet mouthed inserts were made to fit T51R's and GT3037S's . I'm not positive but I think these reduce the screaming or jet turbine noise that you get with port shrouded compressor housings .

I reckon the difference in performance they make (HKS marketed turbos) is due to better turbine housing nozzle design and at times more suitable wheel trim and housing A/R options .

People like to think that buying a generic Garrett GT BB turbo will make little difference in their usually only biggest compressor trim option but obviously HKS thought differently so had Garrett develop other combinations . If you look long enough and hard enough at wheels and trim sizes HKS market you begin to see why the tag sez power and response . Examples are turbos like GT3082R's , 56T comp Garrett , 50T comp HKS . HKS GT3037 48/52/56T comp , Garrett GT3076R 56T com only . HKS GT2835 48/52/56T comp , Garrett GT3071R-WG 56T only .
Making the top end power is not that difficult but getting a broad spread of power is the teasing issue . In a perfect world we would be able to buy any Garrett cartridge made with ALL the available wheel/trim options but for some reason (probably marketing) Big G don't want to do things this way .

 

You can have an American company do the same thing for less...............................Like Buschur Racing/Forced Performance..............

 

not worth the money in my opinion...just go with garrett

 

HKS is overpriced. Besides, Garrett is in the business of making turbos, and has been for decades. HKS is in the business of??????

HKS are custom Garrett's, that maybe true, but why not go with a custom Garrett from an American vendor as others have mentioned?

oh, and to add.... I've had both the SPL and KAI and grenaded both, so they're not indestructible. Both failures were due to faulty HKS BOV's.

 

hks rules......but pricey

 

Dont forget your also paying for the name

 

Can you rebuild an HKS turbo to their specs? Can you get replacement parts for the rebuild in case of failure, or if the turbo is just "tired"?

Now ask the same question of Garrett's, or any custom Garrett from a US supplier.