T28 Turbo Rebuild

[S14kouki805]

This might be a dumb question but here it goes:

How can you tell if a turbo is worth rebuilding or even salvageable for a rebuild?

I think my turbo is done, it's a standard S14 T28, I heard a metallic sound and at first I thought I spun a bearing but checked the turbo 1st. So I removed the intake and spun the impeller (if that's what its called) and it is a bit rough and does not spin very freely. So I'm pretty sure that's what was making the sound.

Anyway I'm thinking of getting a rebuild kit and taking a whack at it.

I've seen a few threads on this subject but nothing that indicates what is considered rebuildable or not. What should I look for when disassembling that would indicate it not able to be rebuilt?

[Croustibat]

That is quite easy actually. "rebuilding" a turbo usually means replacing worn bearings and seals. Yours seem (way) beyond that. If it made noises and does not spin freely, the shaft or wheels must have been damaged.
Even if it was not though, the problem is that the shalft and wheels assembly need to get balanced, or it will die very quickly. This is not cheap nor easy since these babies spin at 150.000+ rpm. Big old turbos spin slower, thus you you can somewhat get away with a not so perfect balancing, if you are willing to replace the bearings more often (typical old drag racing usage, where people use these rebuild kits on big holsets turbos).

Now, let's say your turbo is rebuildable - which i higly doubt- and you found a place to rebalance it.

You will just have a worn turbo with new bearings and seals, for the price of like 2 second hand T28 in somewhat working order.

My opinion, get a cheap second hand T28. Or a cheap second hand gt2560r for like 50-100$ more (same one with a "non rebuildable ball bearing cartridge", so better spool and as much unrebuildable as any small frame turbo).
Or a cheap NEW gt2560r. Seems their price has seriously dropped this year. But this is going to cost more again.

Rebuild kit on a T28 though ? waste of time and money if you ask me.

[S14kouki805]

That is quite easy actually. "rebuilding" a turbo usually means replacing worn bearings and seals. Yours seem (way) beyond that. If it made noises and does not spin freely, the shaft or wheels must have been damaged.
Even if it was not though, the problem is that the shalft and wheels assembly need to get balanced, or it will die very quickly. This is not cheap nor easy since these babies spin at 150.000+ rpm. Big old turbos spin slower, thus you you can somewhat get away with a not so perfect balancing, if you are willing to replace the bearings more often (typical old drag racing usage, where people use these rebuild kits on big holsets turbos).

Now, let's say your turbo is rebuildable - which i higly doubt- and you found a place to rebalance it.

You will just have a worn turbo with new bearings and seals, for the price of like 2 second hand T28 in somewhat working order.

My opinion, get a cheap second hand T28. Or a cheap second hand gt2560r for like 50-100$ more (same one with a "non rebuildable ball bearing cartridge", so better spool and as much unrebuildable as any small frame turbo).
Or a cheap NEW gt2560r. Seems their price has seriously dropped this year. But this is going to cost more again.

Rebuild kit on a T28 though ? waste of time and money if you ask me.

Anybody got a used turbo they want to sell???:2f2f:

Nah but thanks for the opinion, I kind of thought that would be the consensus...anyone else care to chime in?