ScoobyNoobie

Hi guys,

I've got a pre sept 2003 JDM sti.
I know its twin scroll and think its VF37.

Are there ball bearing and non-ball bearing versions of the VF37, and is it defo a VF37......

Car is using about .5 a litre of oil every 400 miles or so, maybe more.
I'm afraid turbo is damaged and wondering about either sending it for recon or replacing it....
Dont have an oil catch can ordered, so once its fitted i'll know if the oil is coming from the breathers or the turbo, as its ending up in the intercooler.

Splitpin

VF37 is journal bearing. Its ball bearing contemporary is the VF36.

That's significant oil usage. Unfortunately oil in the intercooler is more likely to be coming from the breathers than the turbo - although of course it's possible. Rather than electively getting the turbo rebuilt/replaced you'd probably be better off getting some diagnostic work done first. A compression test would be an obvious one, or, as you say, checking the contents of the catch can once fitted.

Better to have it looked into sooner rather than later though. Wherever the oil's going, the quicker it's identified and rectified, the smaller the bill is likely to be.

ScoobyNoobie

Ye i'm getting a compression test and leak down done, hopefully this weekend.
So that will tell me what exactly? That the rings are still sealing well, and so its not caused by massive blow-by?

has a 03 jdm got VF37 or 36?

Splitpin

Basically, yep. And so if you can rule stuff out on the basis of a comp test, you can start looking at other culprits.

Standard one 37, Spec C 36.

ScoobyNoobie

Ah ha, and can a 36 be bolted on as a direct replacement for a 37, with nothing more than maybe mapping to suit??

DIPSY

Look on the turbo and you will see Vf37 in electric pencil .Look on litchfields website they have a Vf37 twin scroll turbo for sale

ScoobyNoobie

Interesting, 600 + the Vat.
Probably the guts of 1000 euro for me, in dublin.
I could probably not pay the vat, as Im Vat registered here.

Still, hope I might not need to go that route yet!
Turbo still performing very well, and car feels perfect.

Think the leakdown an compression tests will tell the way forward.

TimH

iTrader: (11)

FYI, I had a quote of £250-£300+VAT from Turbo Dynamics to recondition a VF37.

There's a VF37 on eBay here - I've used this seller before (bought a pair of Spec C heads) and it's a genuine outfit and I had no problems. YMMV of course

ScoobyNoobie

Ok....
Although he says VF37, and the SPEC C, but i thought spec C was VF36?
What YMMV by the way?

Anyone know if VF36 will bolt on in place of VF37??

TimH

iTrader: (11)

YMMV - "Your mileage may vary". Probably past its sell-by date now - used to use it a lot on Usenet yonks ago...it means "don't blame me if you get different results"

Yes, a VF36 will physically bolt straight on. I don't even think you need a map tweak to be honest, as it will simply spool a few 100 rpm faster, and may maintain boost a bit better at higher rpm...but do not take my word for it; best check with a trusted mapper.

Splitpin

As Tim says it might need a subtle map tweak. To be honest though if you've already got a VF37, shelling out to fit a 36 would be a waste of money. There is a difference but you'd get far better return on investment putting what you would have spent to work in other areas.

The advert is confusing, whether deliberately or as a result of a copy and paste. If you scroll further down the listing you'll note that it says

No mention of Spec C in that bit.

ScoobyNoobie

Ok, cheers mate.

Reason I ask is I've been offered a hybrid VF36 with very low usage for £850.
Developed for slightly more top end, and compromising bottom end a little..

through a friend of a friend type thing!

Splitpin

What is your intent in changing the turbo? Your earlier posts talk about fitting a 36 as a drop-in replacement - yet this seemed to be as a hopeful cure for oil loss. Now you're talking about dropping in a hybrid that will definitely need extra £/€ spent on mapping to get the best out of.

As above if you want to upgrade an engine you know is functioning correctly, you already have an excellent turbo, so spending out a lot of money on an ever so slightly more excellent one is a bit of fool's errand.

However, talking about any sort of power upgrade at this point in time is a bit premature, at least until you've located the source of the oil loss.

ScoobyNoobie

Your post makes total sense.

I suppose Im just weighing up the what ifs.

At the moment, its using a fair bit of oil, as you've read.

I hope to have an oil catch can in my hand and ready to fit by friday.
So i'll do that, and monitor to see if its collecting much oil.

If it is, then it must be caused by blow-by, as the catch can cannot collect oil from the turbo. I'll also try and get a compression and leak test done, to confirm how well the rings are sealing.

If the sealing of rings is ok, and the oil catch can collects very little or none, Am i right in assuming the oil must be leaking from the turbo.

In this case, the turbo needs to come out for a Recon. ~£350?
I already have an induction Kit and turbo back full 3 inch decat system, so this "hybrid turbo" may then be an option worth considering. As it will offer more scope in the future, and being a ball bearing it may spool aswell as my VF37 even though its been modified.

Just weighing up the options really....Haven't decided on anything yet. For all i know there could be a cracked ring or god knows!
The car only has 45000km's on it though. (if it wasnt clocked in japan before it came, which it may well have been although there are no obvious signs)

scatty

iTrader: (1)

im selling a vf37 if you need one...£300, done 50k and ive just got a litchfield is the reason for having it.....

ScoobyNoobie

Ye, might be interested if it comes to that.
Will know after this weekend hopefully.

Can you send me a mail so I have your address in case.

watson.robin@gmail.com, cheers