Quote:
Originally Posted by RePete
Hello,
I've read some good things, actually great things about your "Street Brawler" kit, the high value of the kit and the impressive quality of the components - especially in SB46 trim. It's only a few hundred bucks more than a new OEM turbo and that's just icing on the cake considering the completeness of the kit.
However, my car is more or less stock except for an MBC/FCD and some TRD bolt-ons. Intake & exhaust are also stock and I don't have any intention of changing them. I like my cars fast, sophisticated and quiet (except when I floor it).
So let's say my turbo dies tomorrow and I want to replace it. Now I may be one of the very few in the world that doesn't heavily subscribe to "You can never have too much horsepower" because I think my turbo '2 is plenty fast - I know how to drive it right to get a lot out of it. What I'm looking for is to replace the aged turbo with a quality product that won't have annoying problems in a year or 3 - basically TOYOTA reliability. What can you tell me about the following?
- the Street Brawler's reliability.
- What sort of warranty do you offer? (sorry, I must have missed it on your web page).
- How loud is the new downpipe, in fact the whole kit? What sort of decibel increase am I looking at if everything else stays the same?
- Will I have to mod anything else for your kit to work properly?
- If I don't mod anything else am I compromising your kit's reliability or its function in the long run?
- Can you honestly recommend the Brawler kit to me if I intend to stay stock for everything else? Basically, as a direct replacement for my OEM turbo/downpipe.
- There's a pesky asterisk on your Brawler webpage: "*Note: This is not an emissions legal part." Which part? All of it? I live in a province with emissions testing and I pass every year in my current form.
Sorry for all the questions and the long post, thank you in advance.
- Pete
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Hi Pete,
Thanks for the kind words.
-We have had no real reliability issues to speak of. A few cases of turbo failure due largely to installer error or engine failure, but for the most part every one that has gone out there, is still kicking. Many of them are over 3 years old and have 30k+ miles on them.
-We offer a 1 year warranty on the parts we make, and the turbo comes with a manufacturer's warranty. If you have any issues at any time, however, just get in touch with us and we'll help you to resolve them.
-The installation of a downpipe over the stock primary cat is about a 5 dB increase if I remember correctly.
-No major modifications should be required -- though if you are running the stock BOV, you may need to lengthen the pipe to re-route it, or shorten the hose coming out of the turbo, or remove the bracket holding the BOV hot pipe to the cylinder head, etc.
-You wouldn't be hurting the kit in any way by not doing further modificaiton, as it would work the same, doing the same job at a higher efficiency level than is capable with the stock components. The turbo being the size it is allows for cooler running and increased airflow at all boost levels over stock. It would help to make more power by upgrading the exhaust, intake, and intercooler, but I wouldn't say it's necessary.
-There may be options that are a little less "overkill" than the SB, but you wouldn't have a problem running it.
-Removing the stock primary cat is required with the turbo kit, and any downpipe for that matter, so it is technically not emissions legal. Notwithstanding that people have passed emissions in several locations with this turbo kit installed.
Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you.