Kinugawa Turbo's

[CAMB01]

Hi all,
What are peoples thoughts and opinions on Kinugawa turbo's?

I'm looking at purchasing a Kinugawa TD06 25g for my EVO 1, and just thought I would get some info about them first.

[strx7]

i have done a bit of research on them myself as i am looking at using one on a project a bit later down the track. as per most things, you get the odd person who says they are crap, but there are also alot of people who say they are ok, and that the build quality is good. Driven Performance sells them and i dont think he's had an unhappy customer about them.

[CAMB01]

Yeah ive found through googling most of the negative comments are from American car forums. But then again you are always going to find negative feedback alot easier than positive feedback. If it works why brag about it right. Just bag them when they break.

[Crucible]

I was considering going with a Kinugawa turbo a while back. A few guys have had them in service for decent periods of time which has to say something regarding the quality. Built in japan has to be better than china .

I went with a Masterpower in the end only because I got offered a really good deal but wasnt completely convinced the quality was top notch with them either. Its just the price of reputable brands that put them out of reach of most peoples budget even though everyone knows 'you get what you pay for'

[Mr Ree]

Are they actually made in Japan though, or just trying to ride on the subconcious thoughts of car enthusiasts that if it has a Japanese name then it MUST be better that the chinese stuff?

You only have to look on ebay or TM for 2 minutes to find any number of vendors using the Japanese word in their business name, to try and fool the unsuspecting public, but yet you can tell instantly that 100% of what they stock is generic chinese cookie cutter parts.

I have bought a couple of things from Kinugawa, map sensors, harnesses etc, but have no first hand experience with their snails, but I have to trust my gut feeling on this and presume theyre made in China (which isnt necessarily a bad thing, just that it isnt made in Japan)

Is their spec for the turbo, the same as factory item, or just has the same nomenclature like so many ebay parts?

[iOnic]

Nothing wrong with them. I know a fair few people running them in dedicated motorsport vehicles as well as street cars with no problems. I only know of one failure - I can't say with any certainty what the cause was but I know that Kinugawa were easy to deal with and supplied a replacement turbo via air freight at no charge to the customer. That's pretty good customer service and the turbo in question is still going perfectly after 2 years of dedicated racing in a ~500hp car.

As far as I'm aware, these aren't Japanese units. Some parts may be manufactured in Japan but I'm told that they are actually assembled in China/Taiwan. Having said that, these shouldn't be confused with the generic replica junk on eBay - these aren't cheap no-name knock off parts with no warranty or customer support after purchase.

I'd personally use one based on friend's experiences. I was very impressed with their Evo 4-9 bolt on turbos. Every last nut/bolt/washer required for the install was provided and everything had perfect fitment and worked as expected.

[Lith]

^ +1, they perform well and have proven acceptable reliability and good value for money - however it sounds like (from the Oz Skyline forums - probably one of the biggest users of them I am aware of) supply and support seems to possibly be slowing down a little.

[CAMB01]

Cheers for the replies people.
This is the turbo in question i am looking at getting http://kinugawa.co.nz/product/td06sl2-25g-3-evo-1-3/. But the actual one i might get has an anti surge comp cover on it.
A direct bolt on to my stock manifold. So no need to change my exhaust either. Only have to make up some intercooler piping to suit.

[strx7]

be keen to see how it goes if you do go ahead and get it, i want to use the same thing but with the subaru twin scroll exhuast housing on my next project. The TD06 SL2 turbine seems to have some good reviews, keen to hear how it is.

[Lith]

Whether it be by chance or not, the Oz guys I know who have used the anti-surge slotted compressor housing for some reason or another have had less impressive overall results than the others with otherwise equivalent spec turbos

[CAMB01]

Any idea why that is Lith?

[Bazda]

Looking at the compressor wheel the design of the snout is huge. Effectively reducing the blade area.

Good turbos from what I hear in nz. And great how they are direct bolt on for evos. Wish I could do the same with turbonetics!

[Lith]

Any idea why that is Lith?

At the moment it's really a case of some results not being as impressive as others, and it COULD be attributed to the anti-surge housing - really I don't even know if its anything, but I know its enough that some people have decided that if they're going to go Kinugawa they will just use the not anti-surge ported housings. If someone did introduce slots without design/consideration or testing then I could see how it would be very possible to ruin compressor performance given for all intents and purposes it could be called an air leak.

[DRFTIN]

i've heard good things, when i change turbo it will probably be to one of them
way cheaper from ebay too

[CAMB01]

Well after a discussion with Steve Murch about them, i'm reconsidering. Steve says they are expensive knock off Taiwan turbos that have a habit of blowing up after a short period. Replacement parts for them come from taiwan.

[Bazda]

Steve knows it stuff about turbos.

If your after a Mitsi replacement turbo I would highly suggest going to see this guy before hand. He has the experience and knows what works.

[dnalunchie]

From what I have heard from a couple mates on US subaru forums who have owned them and take them apart they are assembled in china or at least some of the internals are the same as those found in other copies of Japanese turbos

Edit* still must be better than DSR turbos

[CAMB01]

Ive already spoken to Steve and he is building me a 450hp capable turbo. Cheaper than the Kinugawa turbo I was looking at.

When I get home tonight I'll have a look through that thread Lith.

[strx7]

10 points says its a TD05 turbine wheel with a backcut on it 15 degree from memory, in an evo2/3 turbine housing, and a td06 compressor wheel in a MSE compressor housing.

they are a mint hill climb/clubsport type turbo, and steve has built alot over the years for alot of different people, me included.

[CAMB01]

I'm really looking forward to it now. I cant wait to get it on and get the Link in and tuned with it. I actually asked him for a turbo that would give me 400hp at the wheels. Heres hoping.