Can't get straight answers to a turbo question.

I own an 88 turbo cab that is in need of a new turbo. Most everyone I talk to says to upgrade to a K27, K28 or K29. I plan to but this is where I need help. One shop says get the K29 because it spools up as fast as a K27 but has more high end punch. The next shop says that's a lie and the K27 spools up much faster and that it is the best way to go. Another shop said the K28 is what I need because it spools up as fast as the K27 and has almost as much high end punch as the K29. The shop who likes the K27 said that is not true and the K28 was built to be used on trucks. The K28 shop says that is not true and the third shop never heard of a K28. All the shops I spoke with run ads in Pano and other Porsche mags and many turbo owners use their services. They just can't seem to agree on what is best and why. I can't find any phone numbers for KKK so if anyone has some facts or a phone number for KKK I would be grateful. Thanks much.....Luke

If you are willing to forgo the upgrade, you can have your turbo rebuilt for just a couple hundred bucks. There is not much to it, really. You can buy a kit and do it yourself, or send it off to one of the turbo rebuild shops that advertise in the back of European Car Magazine.

It actually works quite well. I used to work on Saabs and we did this alot. Major savings of $$$.

Hope this helps a little.
Nick.

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Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe

My experience is with a K28 installed by PO on my 79 930. I've assumed the numbers increment according to turbo size. The new twin turbos use something like k23's. What you heard from all three are good opinions. No one had heard of a K28 when I bought my 930. We checked around and found it was used on diesel truck engines in Europe :0)!It did not spool as fast as K27, but when it came on, it was a bigger punch. More high end.

What I heard was the K29 to be more high end punch when on and the ability to run higher boost level. It has larger rotors which I guess require more time to spin up. Some of the GT class club racers use K29's here. When the K28 burnt up on my turbo, I decided to go with a custom built k27 to get quicker spool. I prefer to be on boost sooner, say 2100 rpm. They are both thrilling rides, but my goal was the sooner the boost the better. I would recommend speaking with the guys at http:/www.imagineauto.com They are turbo experts and should answer all your questions. Good luck
John
79 930

Luke,

Sounds like I also talked to all the same folks you did. After gathering all the info I took the same route as John. If you are going to the track and are plan to hold it in the high RPM range the K28 & 29 would be great.

Since mine is mostly for street I wanted the drivablitiy and spool up at a lower RPM, I went with the K27 from Imagine, they have been great to work with and have responeded to my questions (via e-mail) the next day. I am still in the middle of the installation, so I can't comment on how it performs.

If you look in Bruce Andersons book he discusses the different performance characteristic of the three versions of the K27. By the way the K28 may have come of of a truck, but the K29 was develop for helicopters.

Todd

All this talk of turbos makes me want one. I wonder how much a '78 or '79 goes for. 300hp...330 with not much trouble...

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2
1987 Escort 5-speed 1.9
The Porsche Owners Gallery

Excellence brackets the '78/9 to around $20-25K. You never see one for sale that cheap unless it needs help, and help for those cars is big bux. I would expect to pay high 20's to low 30's for a good one.

Another turbo option is to have one custom made for your application. Shouldn't cost more than any other. You choose the blade and snail of your choice for your driving habbits. Any good turbo shop should be able to do this, just make sure the tech knows his ***** first!

[This message has been edited by RarlyL8 (edited 01-19-2001).]

Mark,

Just took the exhaust of my 89 3.3....do you think it will fit your 3.2 Sounds like Juan should be able to give you some pointers.

Todd