Rebuilding KO3s... Should I do it?

[b7_Andy]

Posting this here because I figure I'll get more comments than anywhere else. My friend has a 2.7 Allroad (same KO3s as the B5 S4). His passenger turbo blew up so I'm swapping the turbos for him, just sticking with KO3s. He bought a set of turbos used that were said to be in good condition... Yeeeeeaaaaaaa I would disagree lol. They have a good amount of shaft play and on one turbo the impeller seems to be able to touch the bore of the compressor housing. I pretty much gave him two options: I slap them in and we go KO4 later, or I try and rebuild these things. I've never rebuilt a turbo before, I've known some B7 A4 guys that have done it but none of my cars are turbo'd so I have no experience. So is it even worth it? I know most people agree that it'd be better to go big turbo and if it was my car I would, but he's on a budget. I just want the car to be running well and not be in my garage with the motor out again lol. I have a good amount of mechanical experience and have a decent amount of tools and I'm always ready to jump into a new project I've never done before. So is there anyone here that have rebuilt KO3s and has anything to say? Is it a difficult job, worth doing or not? Thanks in advance, I appreciate it guys!

[getslideways]

Are there any independent turbo repair/distributors in your area? Might want to see what they would quote you for a rebuild and balancing. Its the balancing at the end I would be concerned with after having to take it all apart. If nothing else you might be able to do it yourself and pay someone else to balance it, but at that point it might just be better to put it all into more experienced hands. However I have no idea of what yours skill level is, comfort level is, or access to required tools presently looks like.

For what its worth I had a HX35 Holset balanced at a turbo shop local to me after I had swapped some stuff on it, and it was something like $50 several years back. Just for some sort of point of reference in possible pricing.

[b7_Andy]

Are there any independent turbo repair/distributors in your area? Might want to see what they would quote you for a rebuild and balancing. Its the balancing at the end I would be concerned with after having to take it all apart. If nothing else you might be able to do it yourself and pay someone else to balance it, but at that point it might just be better to put it all into more experienced hands. However I have no idea of what yours skill level is, comfort level is, or access to required tools presently looks like.

For what its worth I had a HX35 Holset balanced at a turbo shop local to me after I had swapped some stuff on it, and it was something like $50 several years back. Just for some sort of point of reference in possible pricing.

Thank you I did forget to mention... The plan is for me to rebuild the turbos myself and then have a turbo shop balance them. I've yet to call a turbo shop and see what that would cost, but when I mean budget we'd try to make a turbo rebuild cost less than $200. I want the car to be running well and know that the turbos will be good for plenty of miles, but at the same time I'm worried I'm going to max out his (fairly small) budget and be stuck with his car for who knows how long.

[2000s4_m]

Thank you I did forget to mention... The plan is for me to rebuild the turbos myself and then have a turbo shop balance them. I've yet to call a turbo shop and see what that would cost, but when I mean budget we'd try to make a turbo rebuild cost less than $200. I want the car to be running well and know that the turbos will be good for plenty of miles, but at the same time I'm worried I'm going to max out his (fairly small) budget and be stuck with his car for who knows how long.

I believe an oem (borg warner) rebuild kit is close to 100 buck each so just in parts you will run out of money. I dont recommend you use china rebuild parts. You can also try and find oem (bw) chra's. What side is the turbo with the bad shaft? Are both turbos bad? (The ones he bought)


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[b7_Andy]

I believe an oem (borg warner) rebuild kit is close to 100 buck each so just in parts you will run out of money. I dont recommend you use china rebuild parts. You can also try and find oem (bw) chra's. What side is the turbo with the bad shaft? Are both turbos bad? (The ones he bought)


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The driver side shaft is the one that's pretty gnarly. Although I don't think the passenger one is far behind. And I was also going to ask about rebuild kits which you pretty much just answered. I assume most of the $40 rebuild kits (that are sold in the US) are probably not preferable ya? I'm not sure what anyone has used for rebuild kits before.

[a4kamila6]

Turbo lab of america. watch his youtube videos. Check out his website, give him a call. He already has done ko3 rebuild for some guy

[b7_Andy]

Turbo lab of america. watch his youtube videos. Check out his website, give him a call. He already has done ko3 rebuild for some guy

Thanks I'll check it out

[james 408]

I know what I did after my k03's blew the first time (around 60k) is to just buy a set of used 8k mi k03's off ebay. They worked for another 50k miles at 18-21psi (giac-x from 2005 timeframe), with many track days on them (proper warmup/cooldown). Cost me $800, resurfaced the fw at the same time (bought car used and there was significant scarring from either the prior owner, or me learning to race a car).

I know CHRAs aren't super cheap, and it's fiddley lining up the turbos again properly. It's possible you could get it done as cheap as $800 if you pay someone to do your CHRAs, although a quick search i was seeing $300 for BW ko3 chra cartriges (per side). The number of low mileage k03s has probably dropped dramatically, though, so that might be your best bet is tracking down some of those shops people recommend.

I know Avalon motorsports was around you and working on b5s a decade ago, they might be worth a ring (performance shops often get their hands on used turbos when people upgrade). Don't have much experience with em but they gave me a good deal on some widebody goodies around 2006 timeframe.

[zillarob]

I still have the ones I pulled off my car I think.
They ran ran fine when I swapped in the f21s, but they are k03s so who knows.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ger-Available?

[micahmr2]

I've used this kit before with no problems.


http://www.midwestturboconnection.co.../3008-3011.htm

Plus they offer balancing for $55.00

http://www.midwestturboconnection.co...ory-s/1820.htm