'98 GTB blown primary turbocharger
20 November 2000, 11:03 PM
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Has anybody heard of the smaller turbo on a twin turbo Legacy GTB popping a seal? Subaru in New Zealand knows the problem and the repair looks to be around NZ$5000. Not too flash in a NZ$43000 2 year old car with only 45,000km of smooth driving on the clock!
If you have heard of the problem, do any of you know any fixes? It's apparently a problem that occurs when the turbo gets too hot, which is a bit of a concern. I heard 2nd hand of a possible fix that involves boring out the turbo and fitting larger impeller blades.
I'm gutted, because now any time I give the car a bit of a hurry-along, I'll be paranoid it'll break again. It's an unbelievable wagon otherwise.
If you have heard of the problem, do any of you know any fixes? It's apparently a problem that occurs when the turbo gets too hot, which is a bit of a concern. I heard 2nd hand of a possible fix that involves boring out the turbo and fitting larger impeller blades.
I'm gutted, because now any time I give the car a bit of a hurry-along, I'll be paranoid it'll break again. It's an unbelievable wagon otherwise.
21 November 2000, 02:59 PM
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Hi
Have you made any mods to the exhaust - I've heard the the smaller turbo usually blows as a result of overspeeding caused by having a catless freeflow exhaust.
The best system seems to be to leave the cat on the small turbo (Keeping within emmissions upto 4000rpm, when all exhaust gas flows through this turbo and cat) but to removethe main cat and have free flow silencers.
If your exhaust is standard then I feel that you have probably unusual (and unlucky) with your turbo failing.
Having a larger impeller also prevents the overspeeding
Paul
Have you made any mods to the exhaust - I've heard the the smaller turbo usually blows as a result of overspeeding caused by having a catless freeflow exhaust.
The best system seems to be to leave the cat on the small turbo (Keeping within emmissions upto 4000rpm, when all exhaust gas flows through this turbo and cat) but to removethe main cat and have free flow silencers.
If your exhaust is standard then I feel that you have probably unusual (and unlucky) with your turbo failing.
Having a larger impeller also prevents the overspeeding
Paul
22 November 2000, 05:41 AM
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Hi Paul,
No, the entire car is absolutely stock standard. I believe (after much investigation) that the problem is that the little VF25 primary turbo runs too hot in the Scooby twin turbo setup and it pops a seal. My impellers are absolutely mint, but this particular turbo is unservicable. The Subaru NZ price was a staggering NZ$4400 (1232 pounds!)but I've tracked down a 2nd hand V26 which should fit at only NZ$400. It's a common enough problem it seems and I've heard that a larger turbo might do the trick. I'll keep you posted. My car is able to be viewed at
No, the entire car is absolutely stock standard. I believe (after much investigation) that the problem is that the little VF25 primary turbo runs too hot in the Scooby twin turbo setup and it pops a seal. My impellers are absolutely mint, but this particular turbo is unservicable. The Subaru NZ price was a staggering NZ$4400 (1232 pounds!)but I've tracked down a 2nd hand V26 which should fit at only NZ$400. It's a common enough problem it seems and I've heard that a larger turbo might do the trick. I'll keep you posted. My car is able to be viewed at
22 November 2000, 07:54 AM
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Haven't heard of the too hot theory. The general opinion seems to be overspeed which stuffs the seals. It appears some cars are fine even with big bore exhausts while others in stock trim just keep poping them.
I've heard the seals themselves are replacable for around $600. However in you case it sounds like the bearings have gone and lead to a damaged housing, hence the new turbo.
I'd try some of the specialist turbo shops before getting a new one from Subaru.
I've heard the seals themselves are replacable for around $600. However in you case it sounds like the bearings have gone and lead to a damaged housing, hence the new turbo.
I'd try some of the specialist turbo shops before getting a new one from Subaru.
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