silent running

Just need some opinions really. One of many options I'm chewing over, to cure the compressor surge I'm getting from my VF35/FMIC combination, is swapping out the VF for a TD05. My car has the supporting mods to handle either a TD05-16g or an 18g, all it would need would be the Power FC remapping. At the moment it runs somewhere over 300bhp at 1.4 bar. I value midrange over top end and originally got the VF to replace my old TD04.

I've read lots of threads and I've heard stories of gearbox problems with TD05's hence why I'm considering a 16g as well as the more powerful 18g hybrid. Bearing in mind the swap is more to iron out the compressor surge problem rather than to make the car that much quicker, what should I go for? I am very much on a budget, having only a few months ago fitted a new gearbox and now it's in for an Exedy clutch and a lightweight flywheel, all API supplied.

Plus if anyone knows what are the differences between the various 16G's around that would be helpful i.e. an Andy Forrest 16G, a Scoobyclinic 16G, an ebay breaker's 16g etc? I like the idea of an 18g but I also like my gearbox and clutch and don't want to replace them for a long time. I'm happy with the smallest turbo that can do the job rather than going too big and ending up with problems. I'm kind of talking myself into a 16G just typing this out here! But will it be on the ragged edge at 340bhp or just cruising?

Cheers!

Varboy

you could always get the big 16g as a halfway house? I had one fitted last week to replace the VF24 on my 03WRX and I'm loving it.

Spool isn't too far off the TD04 with 1 bar coming in by about 2900rpm and a full 1.45 at about 3200rpm.

I've heard that the 5spd boxes on the 03 models upwards are a bit more solid than previous renditions so I'm not worried about the TD05's box mashing rep just yet.


If I could live my time again, I would be inclined just to go with an 18 and get a 6spd if you need to.... (it's just the big16g was a good price for me)

ZEN Performance

avoid VF turbos to avoid surge. TD05 would be my recommendation if you want to minimise lag, 18g if you want a bit more power.

silent running

Well you know my car Paul, would a 16G just give me the same sort of performance as my current setup (minus the surge), or would you be able to safely be able to get a bit more go out of it as well. Not that it's not quick enough already, just that if there's more I could get out of a 16G I might as well have it.

Bottom line is I don't want an 18G if it's going to make my transmission unreliable.

ZEN Performance

a 16g will be enough to trouble the box if you push it hard enough, the 16g would be a good match with the 440cc injectors, the 18g would require something a little larger to get the best of it, which would definitely give your box something to think about.

silent running

OK that's settled that then, confirms what I've been thinking.

silent running

One other thing though, I'm still not sure what the differences are between the various 16G's that different people sell. Could I say get the cruddiest old TD05 90 degree with high mileage and in still working condition off ebay, and send it off to Andy Forrest then get back a 'brand new' remanufactured AFP5-16 for £320+VAT on exchange? And what would be the difference between this and just buying any old front entry converted TD05-16 with a few miles on it?