UK turbos with ceramic turbine impellers??

I have just examined a pair of UK spec, (4 bolt fastening) turbos that have come off Pete Sharps UK MKIV auto. As far as I know these are factory original, and they have CERAMIC exhaust wheels in them... Anyone else found this? I have little to do with hybrids or modding stock turbos, has anyone actually checked their unmolested UK turbos to see if the exhaust wheels are none magnetic ceramic, or magnetic steel? You can easily tell if the turbo is UK or J-Spec, the UK ones have 4 holes where they go over the exhaust manifolds 4 studs, the J-Spec ones have 3 studs in the manifold, and a corresponding 3 holes in the turbos.

Are you sure the impellors are not stainless steel as this is non-magnetic

Definitely ceramic.

According to the Toyota EPC there was only ever one version of the UK spec turbos fitted. ie, only one part number for both turbos.

Hmmm, are the steel internals on UK turbos another urban myth? The extra lag just down to different sizing and different cams / mapping? Or has someone actually got a UK turbo with a metal turbine wheel to hand? I'll ask my rebuilders tomorrow. Thanks Nic.

from many years ago I have this post

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=680&highlight=turbo

Shows the internals side by side.

I did hear a rumour that some US turbos have a different part number and a further rumour that they were ceramic internals, but never ever heard it from anybody ever again so cant say if its true or not.

JB

are vvti jap turbo's 3 bolters?

You got my old ones years ago Chris, I guess you didn't notice anything odd about them, I certainly didn't.

I've got my Uk turbos in the garage, i will have a look on my day off (fri).

Any part numbers on the turbo at all Chris?

I've checked the UK and European model Supra on the EPC and they both use the same turbos, part numbers:

Front - 17201-46030

Rear - 17208-46030

I'll check the US turbo part numbers later.

Pics here of the US turbos which look like steel

http://mkiv.com/techarticles/parts/stock_turbo/index.html

Sounds like someone swapped the turbos somewhere along the line. Is that possible? Could they have been sold as "hybrids"? Maybe the originals blew and someone swapped in the Jspecs.

Sounds like someone swapped the turbos somewhere along the line. Is that possible? Could they have been sold as "hybrids"? Maybe the originals blew and someone swapped in the Jspecs.

J-Specs have 3 bolt fitting, these are 4 bolt... I'll ask Peter if they have ever been swapped out.

I checked the US spec turbos and they are the same part numbers as the UK/Euro ones.

Turbo Dynamics have had at least one set of UK spec turbos through their hands with ceramic exhaust wheels. I am sending them a photo of the turbine wheel, they can ID it against a pair they have there, as to metal or ceramic. The magnet test is inconclusive though, as the wheels can be Inconel, which is none magnetic, but obviously, metallic. I scratched the "nut" with a die grinder and it sure seems ceramic to me!

They are ceramic, I just broke a turbine wheel *issing about with it It's no problem, they are for rebuilding anyway. Odd though, how some were ceramic, some metal. Maybe explains why my seat of pants tells me a few UK cars have less lag than others?

It's no problem, they are for rebuilding anyway.

Well they are now!!

J-Specs have 3 bolt fitting, these are 4 bolt... I'll ask Peter if they have ever been swapped out.

Has the housing just been swaped over? so the j-spec catridge is being used in a UK ex/housing

Has the housing just been swaped over? so the j-spec catridge is being used in a UK ex/housing

That's what I was trying to say earlier, but my fingers didn't translate what my brain was thinkin.

Is that possible? Something else to try sometime!

I go to Berlin for a few days and what do I find upon my return

Well I never.....I bought the car off a Toyota Dealership in early 2002 and it was bone stock, not even an air freshener. The car was originally sold at this dealership and had been maintained all it's life 81K miles their also.

I did not ask if specific parts (bar cam belt) had been replaced but, nothing major turned up when they searched their records in addition to the paperwork I had.

Can you see the difference by looking at a photo ?? if so, could you post up a photo Chris ?

I may have a line on a set of JDM tubbies.

Is that possible? Something else to try sometime!

I guess with a UK manifold to suit the 4 bolt pattern, uprated WG actuators and the like it could be....

I go to Berlin for a few days and what do I find upon my return

 

Well I never.....I bought the car off a Toyota Dealership in early 2002 and it was bone stock, not even an air freshener. The car was originally sold at this dealership and had been maintained all it's life 81K miles their also.

 

I did not ask if specific parts (bar cam belt) had been replaced but, nothing major turned up when they searched their records in addition to the paperwork I had.

 

Can you see the difference by looking at a photo ?? if so, could you post up a photo Chris ?

If I haven't sent them for rebuild I'll show you when you pick the car up Pete. Otherwise I'll get you some pics. The new hybrids definitely have metal wheels! Your exhaust gas valve butterfly was semi seized, I've found you a perfect one, and fitted that.

Cheers Chris