Water cooling...really needed?

[Bacon]

I am in the process of building a turbo kit for my Focus. Just picked up a Garrett turbo from a fellow IA member. Not sure on the exact specs of this particular turbo, but it has the ports for water cooling. I will only be running 8-10 lbs on a daily driver. Will it be necessary to run the lines for the water or will it be fine without it?

[scttydb411]

not nec, but will prolong the life by pulling some heat out of the center cartridge.

[Axix23]

i would, it helps on cooling down of the turbo where then its not neccessary to run a turbo timer.. Garrett Site explains all this...www.turbobygarrett.com Its sorta like having a condom next to the girl, if its there and free, use it for better peace of mind
You can get the water cooling turbo kit from www.tunertoys.com

[SampaGuy]

If it is a ball bearing turbo you definitely need it. Otherwise not completely necessary, usually.

[Bacon]

Thanks for the clarification. Have heard different sides to this.

[ryan3lcsvt]

Yeah you may as well Robert. Mine is cooled with antifreeze and def keeps the temp down rather than no cooling agent.

[Bacon]

I was thinking that. Need to get up to Mahdavi or Mainstream to see if they can show me the best place to tap into for my specific setup. Hell, I need to get to one of them so they can tell me what flanges I need.

[green91]

I've ran DSM and t3 turbos both without coolant, as long as youre smart about letting it cool down before you stop the engine you'll be fine.

[RedEj8]

If the turbo has ports to run coolant..then use them. They're there for a reason. Garrett wouldn't just add coolant ports for the extra cost.

Does the turbo have an internal waste gate?

[Axix23]

i tapped mine where the coolant by-pass to my tb was at...

[TheChosenOne]

Very interesting... most honda-heads don't run the coolant lines cause were cheap bastards, but like they've said. If its there, use it. You'll be much happier in the long run. If it was an Ebay turbo, I'd say phuck it, but try and make te garrett last as long as possible.

[Bacon]

It is an external waste gate turbo. Its pretty big. Wish I knew exactly what model it is. The only tag on the turbo is a small one with a bunch of numbers.

[ryan3lcsvt]

Yeah let Sam do it for you, Mahdavi has a proven track record. And R obert go ahead and spend the aextra money and get a apexi turbo timer like I have, that way you dont forget to let the turbo cool down ever, just remove the keys and done, the car will shut off when its cool enough.

[Bacon]

Thats what I plan to do. Electronic boost controller and turbo timer. May go with HKS since it would match my HKS Hi-Power exhaust.

[ryan3lcsvt]

Yeah HKS is good too, but I just prefer apexi

[Bacon]

We will see when time goes by. May end up going with Apexi.

[RedEj8]

If you don't want to bother with the water lines, you could sell it for more than you paid for it and get a similar size t3/t4 turbo. It would make fabrication and parts location a little easier since t3 flanges and downpipe flanges are everywhere.

A turbo timer would still be good. Or just don't boost it the last minute or two of your drive and let it idle for about 30 seconds to a min before you shut it off.

[Bacon]

Still not sure on selling it since it's the turbo I have wanted. I will probably work with it unless someone makes a deal that I can't refuse.

[Axix23]

no need for a turbo timer with water-cooled turbo.. Let it idle for 10-15 seconds if you ran it hard...

[ryan3lcsvt]

Play it safe and if you run it hard let it idle for about 2 mins, it wont hurt and will use what about 30 cents in gas maybe

[TSiFTW]

Definetly use them. It takes some getting used to just sitting in your car for a few minutes insead of just turning the ignition off and jumping out. Just make sure not to forget if you don't use a timer.

[Bacon]

Yeah we figured that one out.