Differences Between HKS Actuators

[MrMigs]

So, I noticed HKS has 2 actuator kits available. There's the GT Actuator kit, and this other one that more people seem to buy, which is about half the price.

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/usa/images_products/L_3748.jpg
^ HKS GT Actuator

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/usa/images_products/L_3481.jpg
^ HKS (non-GT) Actuator

What's the differences?

It looks like the purple GT actuator can be opened up, and possibly the spring inside can be replaced with springs of different rates. But, that's just a guess. Does anyone have any additional info on this?

Here's some links:
HKS USA Internal Wastegate Actuator (http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/usa/products/Pid=665.html) - HKS Actuator
HKS USA GT Actuator Upgrade Kits (http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/usa/products/Pid=3732.html) - HKS GT Actuator

Thanks in advance.

[dorkidori_s13]

not sure of the difference, but i have the standard HKS Wastegate Actuator (the non purple one) on my S15 turbo on my s13 SR, works like a champ! i have mine set at 12psi (which is stock boost on the redtop/blacktop SRs, not 7psi) and i have zeno issues!

adjustable wastegates are handy if you want to keep a maximmum/minimum boost level on your turbo (ie: running 16psi on a boost controller and having it taper back to 12psi). i run one because im not fond of having a visible boost controller.

[MrMigs]

Hmm seems that most people have no problems using the non-purple actuator... then I wonder what the purpose is for the GT version...

Anyways, Great! Thanks for the advice. Kinda wish the forum didn't remove the whole rep system ha ha

[Drift_FX]

if your going to spend more money go with an external wastegate, if not use the silver one, it works great....

[dorkidori_s13]

if your going to spend more money go with an external wastegate, if not use the silver one, it works great....

external wastegate is kind of pointless on internally gated turbos. especially T2 and GT2 series turbos (which the HKS wastegate actuator is made for)

[Drift_FX]

external wastegate is kind of pointless on internally gated turbos. especially T2 and GT2 series turbos (which the HKS wastegate actuator is made for)

i realize this, i was also implying that they would no longer use an internally gated turbo if they went externally wastegated. i forgot this is zilvia and you need to explain averyhing in detail or else someone may do something stupid...lol my mistake...

[dorkidori_s13]

i realize this, i was also implying that they would no longer use an internally gated turbo if they went externally wastegated. i forgot this is zilvia and you need to explain averyhing in detail or else someone may do something stupid...lol my mistake...


lol believe it or not (if you havent seen them already), there are bottom mount T2 flanged tubular manifolds that use external wastegates for the SR now. :picardfp:

the waste of time people come up with i swear...

[Dboyizmlg]

I also have the silver one on my Sr20.
I have it set at 10psi, it holds boost real steady, no boost creep.
Works like a true CHAMP!

[brndck]

wow thats the first time i've seen that purple one.
looks like you can swap out springs, like an external.
i use the silver one and its super reliable.

[Drift_FX]

lol believe it or not (if you havent seen them already), there are bottom mount T2 flanged tubular manifolds that use external wastegates for the SR now. :picardfp:

the waste of time people come up with i swear...

i actually have not seen those....lol some people....

[dorkidori_s13]

my guess is that the GT is for higher horsepower applications exceeding like 350-400hp. though i didnt think those numbers could really be reached with a T2 series turbo. is there internally gated GT3X series turbos now?

[Drift_FX]

i had an hks gtrs t28 turbo that was internally gated with the silver actuator and i made 389hp and 365 flbs of torque at 17psi, so that silver actuator will work for about 400hp...

found a t3 internally gated
http://www.cxracing.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TRB-T3T4-V

only rated for 350hp....lol

[dorkidori_s13]

i wouldnt touch a CXRacing turbo with a 20ft pole to be honest...

[Drift_FX]

i wouldnt touch a CXRacing turbo with a 20ft pole to be honest...

i wasnt saying it was good...... just that i found one...lol

[MrMigs]

I'm pretty sure there's some writing on the HKS Japan website. Their english translated writing doesn't really specify the benefits of one version vs. the other though.

GTACTUATOR UPGRADE KIT /TURBO SUPPORT PARTS | TURBO | PRODUCT | HKS (http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/product/turbo/support/gt_actuator/index.html)
ACTUATOR UPGRADE KIT /TURBO SUPPORT PARTS | TURBO | PRODUCT | HKS (http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/product/turbo/support/actuator/index.html)

It looks like the video on the GT Actuator page speaks a little bit about the differences between the two. Anyone know Japanese? :p

[Prok0]

A big selling point of those is you dont have to remove the rear section which is threaded to the rod to adjust boost as you did on the older actuator.

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/product/turbo/support/gt_actuator/img/gtact_img_01.jpg

If you look you see a threaded shank which you can loosen up the nuts on and shorten or lengthen to adjust boost. On the traditional actuator you need to remove the rear piece which goes over the flapper arm, shorten or lengthen, install, and re-check your boost pressure. So its a bit of a pain.

[MrMigs]

^ Ohhhhhh berry good info!