So I was driving home yesterday from Danville and car was driving fine. Then by the time I was near Walnut Creek area I noticed a little hesitation and some whining.....car didnt sound right when accellerating. I didnt think too much about it as it could have been a boost leak of some kind.....so I just went easy on the gas and did what I could to stay out of boost. By the time I was in Fairfield, I could hear metal banging around, clinking clanking, etc - sounded like the turbine was bouncing around inside the turbo housing...I couldnt feel the turbo assisting with power or anything, and no boost was being built. Well - after popping the hood and hearing the noises coming from my engine bay, I have no doubt the turbo is blown (just need time to uninstall it to confirm).

I watched a vid or two on YouTube and confirmed the sounds I hear are because of a blown turbo. I limped home from Fairfield and the engine runs fine, no power band, but will accellerate slowly. I dont want to drive it this way.

The car - USDM MY03 wrx with a swapped in JDM Ej207 v7 STI motor. I have the stock vf30 on the motor and have a EWG setup (vent to atmosphere) with grimmspeed uppipe and catless downpipe and fuel pump - tuned by Ed in Fairfield . Stock everything else (stock as in everything that came on the jdm motor - injectors, sti intercooler, etc).

My main question is now that I need to shop for a replacement turbo, which route should I take? This is a daily driver, no auto x or drag racing - just spirited driving from time to time. Since funds are extremely tight, I am not looking to go huge, and will have to wait to get the new tune for the new turbo, so what turbo is a good replacement/slight upgrade that will allow me to actually drive the car without changing my current tune, and also not damage anything? I know I will not see the full performance from the turbo unless I get a tune, but I cannot go without my car either.

I also know a vf30 (single scroll) is the obvious replacement since that is the stock turbo for this motor, however they seem to be a bit pricey and out of my range - with very limited supply.

Just looking for some opinions and suggestions. If you need me to give more info, just let me know.

Thanks

 

Wondering which turbo would be best bang for buck, and work well with the EWG setup.