Who has actually used/installed a GodSpeed T28?

[GhostlyCoupe]

Long story short, I have a customers Z32 TT that needs new turbos.

He's declining to have me replace the CHRA's + labor and instead is insisting on buying a pair of GodSpeed turbos himself.

Normally I wouldn't care what people do but since I'm installing them I know I'll be the one who catches the crap if they go bad on his car. GodSpeed does have a warranty but they will not reimburse my labor costs if I have to replace them so before I give him a clear estimate I need to know if these turbos will hold up to at least a few months of beating or not.

If they can't then frankly the job isn't worth my time.

So, if anyone has ACTUAL EXPERIENCE with these please chime in.

[Mitsubayati]

give him no warranty since he's being a cheap fuck. If he says that won't do, tell him to fuck off.

You would think he'd be bright enough to buy good quality turbos when replacing them on a TT Z32. Don't you have to pull the motor to replace em?

[riptor]

i help'd a buddy replace his, it was a pain doin it with jack+stands. wish we had dropped the motor honestly...lol.

[Croustibat]

Seeing the kind of labor involved in changing these, i have a hard time understanding people who wants to install chinese turbos (it means doing it twice quite fast - unless he is planning to sell the car, meaning the next owner will have to do it)

As far as warranty goes, chinese turbo makers invariably answer "the turbo was not properly installed, screw you", which means your customer will then tell everyone how bad you work, if he does not press charges.

That and you dont know if they have the exact same flanges, angles and so on ...

I'd give him no warranty at all, and write "applies only if the supplied turbos require absolutely no modification and bolts directly on" on the estimate, this way you are covered.


The lifespan of these turbos vary from a few days to a couple of years, depending on the direction of the wind, and if you are extremely lucky or not.

[codyace]

Tyler / AnarchyPerformance (username) ran a ISIS/Godspeed GT2871r on his SR car, shoot him a PM.


With that said, I (like Croustibat points out) have a hard time going with a lesser product with that work/labor involved. Twin 28r's are cheap, and make super fun Z32 power :D

[GhostlyCoupe]

It's a tough spot to be in because it's a big payday in labor for r&r the turbos, so I don't really want to turn him away.

I understand that I can state no warranty, that's not the issue. The issue is if you install a product, you're the one who's going to take the blame/bad reviews/death threats if you don't fix it even if you clearly sell it with no warranty.

Really his problem is he wants to upgrade to T28's. I think I found a solution, I offered to source 2 S14 T28's with new seals installed for the same price he wants to spend on the cheap-o godspeeds. Kind of sucks because it's a ton more labor to get them to fit but at least I know he won't be back with smoking issues. Waiting for the call back to see if he goes for it...

[sdrmiami]

Id simply quote him and state that the turbos will be supplied by the customer.. no warranty is given on turbos or on installation.. if he likes it fine if not oh well its not worth the payout!

[sdrmiami]

oh and btw i installed one of those t28 on a s14 sr20.. the nut cams loose on the impeller shaft and fucked the turbo up.. 7 days to get my refund and i had to pay shipping back

[Croustibat]

It's a tough spot to be in because it's a big payday in labor for r&r the turbos, so I don't really want to turn him away.

I understand that I can state no warranty, that's not the issue. The issue is if you install a product, you're the one who's going to take the blame/bad reviews/death threats if you don't fix it even if you clearly sell it with no warranty.

Really his problem is he wants to upgrade to T28's. I think I found a solution, I offered to source 2 S14 T28's with new seals installed for the same price he wants to spend on the cheap-o godspeeds. Kind of sucks because it's a ton more labor to get them to fit but at least I know he won't be back with smoking issues. Waiting for the call back to see if he goes for it...

I know that kind of spot :D

Not worth it with chinese turbos TBH. Whenever they die, even if it is in a couple of months, he will say everywhere you did a sloppy job. S14 T28s may be an answer, just make sure they are still in OK shape.

[codyace]

It's a tough spot to be in because it's a big payday in labor for r&r the turbos, so I don't really want to turn him away.

I understand that I can state no warranty, that's not the issue. The issue is if you install a product, you're the one who's going to take the blame/bad reviews/death threats if you don't fix it even if you clearly sell it with no warranty.

Really his problem is he wants to upgrade to T28's. I think I found a solution, I offered to source 2 S14 T28's with new seals installed for the same price he wants to spend on the cheap-o godspeeds. Kind of sucks because it's a ton more labor to get them to fit but at least I know he won't be back with smoking issues. Waiting for the call back to see if he goes for it...

Sounds like you found the best solution to the issue, rather than just upselling. Good to know some guys are still honest out there, think of all the horror stories we all read about with shops installing knock off parts and customers publicly 'hanging' them on the forums...

[TTnickdizzle]

DONT DO IT!!! Unless he lets you put new CHRAs in. Some girl that drifts her TT("melissadrifts") went with the godspeed T28s and they were smoking in less than 5k miles iirc. Specialty Z mentioned it in their blog. then with you trying to source those rebuilt s14 turbos the kid will now hold you personally responsible for sourcing those rebuilt turbos and will want a refund and/or you to replace them. If he is not willing to pay to do it right then send him walking because you dont not want to do that job twice. Believe me. Look on every Z32 forum rebuilt turbos dont last for shit in our cars.


Also just so u know the kid will need to buy the HKS wastgate actuators for the T28's as these are smaller/slimmer bc the stock ones are too large to fit down under the car with the larger turbos. So its not as easy as slapping on so t28s and sending him on his way. Make sure your charging him accordingly becuase the VG30Dett is one little bitch of a motor to work on.

[GhostlyCoupe]

Sounds like you found the best solution to the issue, rather than just upselling. Good to know some guys are still honest out there, think of all the horror stories we all read about with shops installing knock off parts and customers publicly 'hanging' them on the forums...

You aren't kidding! Referrals from fixing other people's bad work is how I've earned most of my business.

In fact this Z32 is pretty typical. Previous shop talked the guy into buying a used JDM motor when his old engine started to knock. Instead of rebuilding the engine the shop took his old one, kept it + all accessories and gave him zero in exchange for it then charged him $2500 + labor for the JDM swap.

When you consider the value of the old turbos/block/accessories , they actually took this guy for a good $6000 and all he was left with was a smoking 300zx.

[MrSanchez925]

Don't warranty the labor.

Most places wont warranty labor if a part were to fail (if it wasn't an installation mess up)

You can contact Melissa Miller. She drifts a z32 and runs Godspeed turbos and has had luck with them.


But being a former owner of a TT z32 I wouldn't do GSP turbos, Also Wouldn't go with rebuilt turbos either.. since they are known to shit the bed rather quickly as well..

If anything do a full rebuild.. AKA all moving parts replaced with brand new ones.


heres a Link to z1's page.. I'd highly suggest these turbos.
Z1 Motorsports Stock Turbos (http://www.z1motorsports.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_16&products_id=90)

[bardabe]

Don't warranty the labor.

Most places wont warranty labor if a part were to fail (if it wasn't an installation mess up)

You can contact Melissa Miller. She drifts a z32 and runs Godspeed turbos and has had luck with them.


But being a former owner of a TT z32 I wouldn't do GSP turbos, Also Wouldn't go with rebuilt turbos either.. since they are known to shit the bed rather quickly as well..

If anything do a full rebuild.. AKA all moving parts replaced with brand new ones.


heres a Link to z1's page.. I'd highly suggest these turbos.
Z1 Motorsports Stock Turbos (http://www.z1motorsports.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_16&products_id=90)


I beg to differ i was actually at the shop Tuning a car when seb was swaping the turbo's on her car, they didn't last long at all.

also i installed a GS T28 on a KA Turbo, i think the turbo went maybe a total of 3K miles then needed to get warrantied, then the warranty blew up and customer had to warranty again. he since then sold it and will be installing a garrett GTX2867

I always tell customers to stay away from cheap china turbos, but if they insist they want to run it i make sure they sign my waiver and warning about the performance of the turbo so there is no way for me to catch the heat later.

just my 2 cents.

[GhostlyCoupe]

Don't warranty the labor.

Most places wont warranty labor if a part were to fail (if it wasn't an installation mess up)

You can contact Melissa Miller. She drifts a z32 and runs Godspeed turbos and has had luck with them.


But being a former owner of a TT z32 I wouldn't do GSP turbos, Also Wouldn't go with rebuilt turbos either.. since they are known to shit the bed rather quickly as well..

If anything do a full rebuild.. AKA all moving parts replaced with brand new ones.


heres a Link to z1's page.. I'd highly suggest these turbos.
Z1 Motorsports Stock Turbos (http://www.z1motorsports.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_16&products_id=90)

Your right, most places don't warranty labor. I take extreme pride in my work and the products I install so I do.

[MrSanchez925]

I beg to differ i was actually at the shop Tuning a car when seb was swaping the turbo's on her car, they didn't last long at all.

also i installed a GS T28 on a KA Turbo, i think the turbo went maybe a total of 3K miles then needed to get warrantied, then the warranty blew up and customer had to warranty again. he since then sold it and will be installing a garrett GTX2867

I always tell customers to stay away from cheap china turbos, but if they insist they want to run it i make sure they sign my waiver and warning about the performance of the turbo so there is no way for me to catch the heat later.

just my 2 cents.

Weird, she posted on this group im on not to long ago saying her first pair blew and her second pair have been lasting..

Either way don't cheap out on parts like that lol..

[Mikester]

I don't work in the automotive industry; but I can speak very competently from a customer & amateur mechanic's perspective (which I consider ACTUAL EXPERIENCE LOL). It's a shitty position to be in; and I am certain that in your line of work, it's not your first (or last) rodeo=)

My philosophy is simple: If it has to do with air, fuel or keeping the car on the road, DON'T SKIMP! In addition, don't show up to a reputable shop with a pile of shit and expect anything less than nicely polished turds and no customer warranty all said and done.

I feel for the guy for getting "took" the way he did by that last shop. But ultimately, it's his own fault for allowing it.

Aside from the labor-intensity of working with VG's, turbos themselves are simple nuts, bolts, gaskets & washers to install. In otherwords, if he wants you to install unproven turbos in there; let him. As the mechanic, your responsibility to your customer is fulfilled as soon as you give him your advice as a professional. If you advise him to go a safer route and offer him affordable options; as well as make him aware that he will need to have his car tuned for the new turbines etc, you have done your job and what's left is squarely on him.

I understand you stand to make good money in labor, as well as stand by your work; but if you are that uncomfortable, either turn him away or make sure he well-aware of the potential consequences of his choice. If either of those turbines shells out internally; that is clearly out of your hands.

It's really cool that you are an honest person.