First post? Welcome to the Club!

I'd look for a used TD04 turbo. They can be had for $100 - $150. I'll PM one of our other moderators who might be able to put you onto a reliable used snail.

Moving to General Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Accidents. - ClubWRX Forum - Subaru Impreza WRX and STi Community and Forums

Blouch Turbo Inc. - Turbo, turbochargers and performance turbochargers

^^ They can probably hook you up with a rebuilt - give 'em a call.

 

Just out off curiosity what was the diagnosis that lead you to believe the turbo is shot? Had the car been previously modded?

 

turbo

The turbo whines and the tech at the Subaru dealership that rebuilt the transmission, himself a WRX owner, said he believed it was 'gone'.
If it was modded, I can't see it.
I do know the stock cluster was replaced with an STI cluster.
The rear diff temp warning light is always on...but there is no rear diff sensor on this model.

I have been researching and found several turbos at Turbo-Kits.com - 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 Subaru WRX & STi Turbo Kits & Turbo Upgrades
it looks like $699 (+ $69 for water line kit) for a new Mits 16G.

 

Generally the cheap version of this repair is to buy a used on off ebay or forum classifieds. With 60K I'm surprised the turbo is gone if the car was mostly stock.

 

turbo

with the cluster replaced and the transmission out (the tech said the transmission has been disassembled before, it was assembled with clear silicone ) I am begging to wonder if the miles represented are actual.

 

new turbo Big G16

The least expensive TD04 I can find is $225 and is off a car with 105K miles.
I see a Big G16 Turbo, brand new, for $285.
Are there any internal mods required to make that work without blowing the thing up?

 

You mean a Mitsubishi Big 16G? You would need larger injectors,fuel pump,turbo back exhaust and an ECU retune at a minimum. I would be carefull about buying a brand new turbo for $300. You might just end up with a $300 door stopper. From reputable vendors those turbos run $600+ new. Just stick with the stock turbo. Try looking at the classifieds on this forum,NASIOC or even hit up Ebay for a used one.

 

Thanks for letting me know that.
I had seen them several places for $699, kinda made me think...if it sounds too good to be true...
So unless I can find a good used TD04, I will end up spending a whole lot of $$ that I don't want to.
I had a bad feeling when my daughter started this whole deal, now I know why!

 

Thanks for letting me know that.
I had seen them several places for $699, kinda made me think...if it sounds too good to be true...
So unless I can find a good used TD04, I will end up spending a whole lot of $$ that I don't want to.

Like mentioned earlier,just give Blouch a call and get the turbo rebuilt.

Blouch Turbo Inc. - Turbo, turbochargers and performance turbochargers

 

Thanks, I emailed Blouch, we'll see what they charge.
Hopefully they do core charge/immediate shipping.

My daughter would whine louder than the turbo if I take her car down again for more than a day! LOL

 

finished with upfit/repair

Once I got into the turbo system, I discovered that the cat in the up pipe had gone to pieces and the pipe was 95% plugged.
I'm sure the debris from the bad cat killed the stock turbo.
I ended up with a Big 16G turbo from CXRacing.com, a stock STI intercooler & up pipe, pink injectors (560), Walbro fuel pump and stock STI exhaust. I had a guy from the local Subaru group come over with his laptop & 'special software' and retune it.
The turbo starts to spool at about 3700RPM and pulls hard through redline.
From what I am told by the tuner, this WRX is just a little ahead of what a stock STI would be.

 

Sounds nice...

I was going to say I have a used TD04 in my attic off my car (~10K miles), but your setup is more fun

If the cluster has been swapped with an STI unit, then yes, the mileage is likely not correct (unless the previous owner happened to buy an STI cluster that had similar mileage).

Your right about the red light on the diff. It can be dealt with though (I'd check NASIOC).

You saw the result of the catted UP to a turbo, which is why it's common here to change to a catless UP around here on 02-05 WRX's. It does sound like the car might have a bit more mileage than you thought. You might want to consider that the sparkplugs, coolant, timing belt, and other maintenance items might be at 100K mark.

 

All I can say is.... coolest dad ever! :thumbup:

 

up pipe...stir fried cat anyone?

I got a new to me (used) up pipe along with the stock STI intercooler & exhaust The up pipe was nice and clean inside when I installed it. Running with no cat may not be 'proper', but we don't have emmission testing here.
The car also has an STI spoiler on the back, but the idiot that installed it buggered up the inside of the trunk lid pretty good getting it to fit. It looks like he took vice grips and peeled back the metal around the bolt access holes. Nasty & sharp and it leaks into the trunk when it rains. I may replace the decklid next.
This WRX may not be as quick as my '69 Roadrunner with the 426 Hemi & dual 4's was, but it pulls pretty good!
At 140MPH it was still pulling hard, but the tires are only rated for 130, so the old guy chickened...LOL

 

Haha you crazy. Are there nothing but long wide open roads in montana to drive at such speeds? Ive personally never driven that fast, and there is no where in Maryland Id even be willing to try.

 

Speed freaks...



Yes, we have some really long stretches of straight, smooth, open freeway.
Until a few years ago, (when the Politically Correct Idiots took over) we had no numeric speed limit here.
The law used to be...the basic rule...you must drive at a speed that is 'reasonable and proper' considering traffic, road conditions and the condition of your vehicle.
During the Federally Mandated 55 MPH years, it cost you $5 here if you were doing over 55 but were driving reasonably.
The ticket was for 'unecessary waste of natural resources' and did NOT go on your driving record.
Montana is the fourth largest state, but is 49th in population.
I can sometimes get on the freeway and go 50 miles without passing or meeting a car.