[Errant Erik]

So a Local salvage yard has a KKK03 still on a jettta 1.8t, seems to be in good condition, but would a k03 be a worthwhile turbo to nab? I mean i have seen some 1.8ts that seem real quick, and they are just running a tune and maxing out the turbo, but the actual hp numbers they are putting down are surprisingly low, and the turbo supposedly spools WAY low which could be good, or realllly bad. So if anyone around here has experience with k03s lemme know asap, I might just pull it anyway for the sake of resale since the yard charges $60 for a turbo, plus $2 to get in...

But so is $65.9 (turbo, tax, and entry) worth it for use on a curently stock zx3? or is too quick spooling? is it good for the 200s? or is it only good for like the 160's? Anyone know, anyone? what about the guys a fswerks? you all work with 1.8ts right? I don't know what I would want power wise, I just want a focus that is quick, and this turbo is just sitting there waiting to get plucked...

oh and it's smic (which i have been told is pretty efficient) is there too...

 

[bmylez]

Not even close to being worth it. K03 is a small and weak turbo. Do it right the first time. It's very hard to do a GOOD turbo kit on a budget. If you want a quality kit, get Top Speed's complete T-series kit for about $3700. You could put down 250whp/250 ft-lbs on very little boost and it would be *very* reliable. Or you could wait for FSWerks' kit (to be released pretty soon).

 

[SR Performance]

bmylez summed it up pretty well. The K03 is a bit small for the our motors and isn't ideal for a good turbo build. Sure, it will make power but will be very limited. I would recommend a Garrett GT2560 or GT2860RS (what I have). They both have very quick spool and leave plenty of room to grow.

 

[Chucklove]

A k04 is a totally different story. If you could find one of those for that price you'd be inbusiness.

 

[tallguy2.3]

Buy it and stick it on a Fiesta!

 

[CaysE]

Buy it and stick it on a Fiesta!

Nice. :thumbup:

 

[bmylez]

A k04 is a totally different story. If you could find one of those for that price you'd be inbusiness.

Funny you mention the K04. That's what's on the MS3 I'm picking up the first week of January. Puttin' down about 320 to da wheelz

 

[ChargdFocus]

A "good" cheap turbo for a 2.0L focus would best be found out of a 1st Gen (preferably) DSM (Plymouth Laser , Eagle Talon, Mitsu Eclipse) or second generation (though smaller). Even then don't expect huge numbers . The turbos are TD04H- 13b and Td05-14b the later having a higher HP potential. These can be had in servicable condition for around $100-$150 .

 

[SR Performance]

Just go with a 16G and call it done.

 

[Chucklove]

just go with a 16g and call it done.

qft

 

[Errant Erik]

best friend has a teo4h sitting in his garage that we pulled a year ago and still haven't figured out what to use it on, i know its no td04, but it'll still put out close to a bar... and thought about the k03 fiesta idea, i was actually gonna get a fiesta a few weeks ago, then found out that identity theft pwns me... so teh beat a$$ focus is all i've got to work with for a loooonnnngggg while... and i know k04s are good, have more than enough vw friends to know that one, i just wan't sure about the the k03 because i know 1.8t guys that are well into the 200's with it, but obviously different engines are going to have different results, and who knows the realiability at that sort of hp level...but its there, im probably gonna be bored this weekend soooooo who knows what i'll do

 

[DigitalGT]

I tend to disagree with the overall mood of what's been said so far. I'm not saying it's wrong........just maybe misplaced.

The K03 is a good turbo and perfectly capable of what it's meant for.....that is very quick spool and moderate power output. A K03 in great condition for $66 is a good deal. It is very capable of 250 HP when intercooled and would add a very healthy dose of power to an otherwise stock Focus motor.

Is it the end all be all of forced induction? Hell no it isn't.
Is it going to run out of steam beyond about 250 HP? Yep.
Is it and its compatible manifold and charge piping going to support upgrades and monster power in the future? Hell no.
Is it going wuss out at high RPM, get all inefficient and over heat the charge? Yup.

Is it capable of boosting a Focus on a budget, making decent power, spooling quickly, and bringing a big grin to the face of the owner of an unboosted car? Definitely. Not everyone wants or needs a turbo with an inlet the size of a jet engine.

For $66 I would grab it but leave the SMIC behind. The turbo itself, if in good condition, would be worth more than $66 to the right buyer.

 

[SR Performance]

^Valid points.

 

[bmylez]

Duncan, I understand where you're coming from, but it seems *really* pointless to me to go through the hours and hours of work to put a tiny ass turbo on your car that *maxes* out at the limit of the stock motor. Spending the time and money on something that significant that has no room for improvement just seems like a waste. 16G actually isn't a bad idea considering they're dirt cheap and can make over 300whp. A race shop in WA is making 522whp with one (tunnnzzzzz of modz, obviously).

 

[hEaT]

Duncan, I understand where you're coming from, but it seems *really* pointless to me to go through the hours and hours of work to put a tiny ass turbo on your car that *maxes* out at the limit of the stock motor. Spending the time and money on something that significant that has no room for improvement just seems like a waste. 16G actually isn't a bad idea considering they're dirt cheap and can make over 300whp. A race shop in WA is making 522whp with one (tunnnzzzzz of modz, obviously).

...but what if the OP has no plans of upgrading motor internals and just wants a little kick? No different than throwing a JRSC or Powerworks kit on. Both are within the limits of the stock motor, but still a choice for quite a few Focus people. Not everyone wants a turbo capable of 400whp that they will never use that will spool slower.

The OP only wants 200's which is fine for a stock Zetec and I think the K03 would be alright for it unless he has plans to make bigger power later...than I agree with what you said bmylez.

 

[bmylez]

I'm just basing my opinion on human nature. People get power hungry 90% of the time .

 

[SR Performance]

^Right, that's what I was basing off in the beginning of this thread also. When I bought my FSW stg 2 kit, I figured that 230whp would be plenty for this small car and I would have fun. Yes, I've had fun but now after 2 years with the kit and several passes down the dragstrip, it feels slow to me. lol The high 12s feels slow and I crave more power. I have the GT28RS that has some room to grow. I never intended to want more power until after I put on the kit and then felt the power. Now my sweet tooth has been woken up and I want more.... built motor coming soon.

I'm not saying the OP would do the same thing but there is probably a chance of it and instead of the motor internals being the limit, it would be the turbo and the internals. The K03 wouldn't be a bad turbo to start with I guess. It's cheap and can get you over the 200whp mark but very limited.

I like this thread, great discussion.

 

[Turbofab]

35r is where its at

GAME OVER

 

[GFXjamie]

boost is addictive, it will only stop when you can get traction to go faster, then you get a RWD or AWD car and do i all over again.

good luck, pick a bigger turbo and have some fun

 

[Errant Erik]

I caught a gnarly cold guys so I definately did not pull it this weekend...so who knows if its still there, I mean it is a small yard with low traffic, but they tend to have vws and bmws and whatnot so people in the know tend to roll through there, so idk i'll have to see if it is still there next weekend.

Anyway back to the convo, like I said I like the idea of the quick spool but the power maxing in the lower 200s kinda stinks because I know I'll want more...the car though is fastly approaching its end, I love her to death, but I'm her 4th owner an she was clearly not taken care of, the car "dealers" that I bought her from did a good job of cleaning the engine bay and replacing the wires so everthing look pretty clean, but she quickly showed signs of improper maintenance (fuel filter, oil changes, etc. neglected)...

...so a 4k+ kit, while it is what I would prefer it and gives a lot of room to grow, is still 4k+ on an engine that has 120k miles of apparent abuse that yes is hanging in there, but to last really needs to be overhauled... and I'm hoping to get a new car when I get this whole identity theft thing gets fixed to some degree. Me looking for budget turbo solutions is to have more fun on my 66mi a day commute, and around town, not be a hardcore drag car. I know more power is an insatiable hunger, but the focus, or more specificly this poor lil focus is not the answer to that hunger...

Basically I think I'm looking for quick spooler, but not so quick to make the car too torque-steery, something salvageyardable or craigslistable, that I can have an aquintence at my local muffler shop (a true a maestro of welding), make a adapter (which is all the fswerks kit is using for the zetec kit) to fit it. Then I can have another friend that has a lot of experience with tuning, help me use the sct software to do my tune and just have a fun daily until she finally gives out (hopefully when I have another car secured)... I mean I know that is like 2k more complicated than I made it out to be, but you all get the idea.