Sure, they can do it I'm sure-it's not done this way commercially because no one really wants a $500 compressor blade, which is what you will end up looking at when this is done. Then you have the issue of the compressor housing being too small to machine to accept a larger wheel. It can be machined to accept a larger wheel, but not a wheel that will be large enough to make any sort of performance gain. PLUS there are no commercially available compressor covers that are reverse rotation oriented.

 

Yeah, thats what I was afraid of..

 

Malibu Jack, please keep us informed as to your progress. I am very interested!

 

I saw a few posts about how expensive the 10.5 Ti turbos were, but they aren't that expensive.

http://linux.forcedperformance.net/m...ode=Lancer_EVO

 

Those are conversions.. Same thing I'm doing.. Keep in mind prior to these housings becoming available, getting the 10.5 housing and titanium components together in one package was only something found on the Evo 6.5 TME and although these turbos were produced, they weren't commonly available. With the new 10.5 castings becoming more widely available it (should be) possible to convert any 9.5 turbo, not just the titanium to the more desirable larger nozzle housing.

As far as I can tell, its just a matter of swapping the housing therefore you can get a 9.8 titanium turbo for $500 and the housing for $250.. If there is no other work involved its definitely a major worthwhile upgrade.. HOWEVER I suspect there may be some other things that have to be done, but we'll know this week.

BTW, I have not yet heard back from Forced Performance about converting my turbo to Ballbearing, but I don't see it being very expensive, and its likely if they see demand for the product and its cost effective for them to sell you might see the converted turbo with a BB Centersection and other goodies all in one package..but you can see how the costs can go up to buy them complete.

The only thing I don't know is what tangeble gains the bigger nozzle offers, I suspect its much better at sustaining boost at higher RPM but may be slightly slower to spool, therefore the Titanium components levels it back down.. I can see that the BB conversion would also lower the spool. Then you have to address increasing the volume of air into and out of the turbo which none of this so far addresses..

 

Those aren't conversions, those are brand new EVO 6.5 TME's.

 

And CHEAP!

Now where's my credit card?

 

There are very few original 6.5 turbos out there..

At that price its likely they took a 9.8 titanium turbo and put a 10.5 housing on it, since that is about what it costs for a 9.8 turbo and 10.5 housing and an hour or two of labor. Good news is these parts are becoming more commonly available now so the prices for the good stuff are getting better..

regardless they are the same as the TME turbo though, e-mail them for yourself.. If that is the case, it does qualify it as a conversion.

It should be real easy to swap the housing on the more commonly available 9.8 titanium turbo with the 10.5 housing, and it costs about the same so its definitely a worthwhile purchase..

 

How about the ability to do a Ti swap of a stock turbo? I know the 10.5 swap has been done, and the BB conversion is possible as well.

I suppose you'd have to find someone that manufactures the Ti internals, right?

-CJ

 

Forced Performance should have the components needed for a Ti upgrade on a stock turbo.. couple that with the better 10.5 housing.. Not sure if the cost of upgrading and cleaning up a stock turbo is going to be much cheaper than buying a new one through them outright..

In any case.. see my next post.. Got a reply from them about BB conversions..

 

This is quoted directly from Robert Young's reply to me.. about the feasability and reliability of a BB conversion on this particular turbo, also the testing that has been done on different wheels in an attempt to find one that will improve flow..

Until something becomes available, the "TME Style" turbo may be the best direction though if you want to stick with a stock turbo configuration.

Quoted from the reply to my e-mail........

 

Can BadBoyBeltran please post up where he sourced his TME Ti Turbo or if anyone knows? It seems as if he's had success with this so far. Maybe he can update us and inform us where these are available?

 

I haven't seen him post anything about it in quite some time.. Forced Performance does have 10.5 Titanium turbos for the EVO..

 

http://linux.forcedperformance.net/m...ode=Lancer_EVO

Damn, I didn't know that the shafts were Ti also. MJ, are you still going to pursue doing the BB conversion after Robert's comments?

 

I'm going to upgrade the housing to a 10.5 for the time being, install it in the car until someone comes up with some mods for the stock cold side turbo housing and an upgraded wheel.. After seeing the time and effort that has already been put into this from several people, I think I'll keep it simple for the time being and focus on other areas to add horsepower/torque, like intake manifold, head work and the new stroker kit. All of which will allow the stock-ish turbo really shine.. I'd really like to get all my ducks in a row and swap everything at once so it may be some time before you see anything new about the car except for installing and evaluating the turbo.