Street Brawler question

[Enthalpy]

LOL...Yup, I have NOT had so much as a drip.

[Loki]

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

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.

[Ben]

Thanks RePete as I have the exact same questions. But one of RePete's questions asks if it will be bad for the turbo kit if the engine is pretty much stock. What I would like to know is, would it be bad for a fairly stock engine to have this kit.

My CT20b is on its way out (never ever buy a used turbo, no matter how low the mileage on it), and this kit is basically the same price as a new Toyota turbo. I was happy with my CT20b, so I don't want to have to spend more just to make this kit work. I don't intend to drive hard every time I'm behind the wheel (but I do like to have fun if I find a nice straight away). So, would it hurt this kit to have it on lower boost levels (~13-17 psi) most of the time?

I have upgraded internals, exhaust, and a Greddy intercooler. Everything else is stock. Would the Street Brawler T3/T4 kit be right for me?

Thanks,
- Ben

[Loki]

Keeping this kit at low boost will make it last a long time and should in no way adversely affect engine life. Turbos are pretty simple devices mechanically. It is more than happy on a stock engine and will typically show the benefits I stated in response to RePete -- like running cooler with less backpressure in the manifold and maintaining boost to redline. As long as your stock fuel system is in good condition, there is no real downside to running this kit with the exception of it will be a little more laggy than the stock turbos.

[shaidarharan]

I purchased a SB46 when an errant nut (no idea where it came from=scary) destroyed the blades on my 93 turbo. The car SB46 seemed like the ideal replacement for the car which only had 40,000mi on it. Install and performance couldn't have gone better. After installing the old Truleo kit on my other MR2, I would've been happy had I paid $3000 for the SB46 kit - I couldn't be happier. I've driven 4,000 mi with an MBC @ 15psi and loved every second. Thanks KO.

[Ben]

Few more questions:

With the SB T3/T4, what is a thrust bearing? And what are the benefits of selecting a 360 degree thrust bearing?

In terms of water cooling, at what point is it recommend to choose the AUX water cooling lines? What happens to the stock lines for the stock turbo (if I don't get the AUX lines), do I just connect the 2 stock lines together with a hose?

If I don't have a boost controller, how much boost would I be running?

Thanks!

[Sang]

Originally Posted by Ben

In terms of water cooling, at what point is it recommend to choose the AUX water cooling lines?

It's your choice. There's a number of people running high hp, high pressure setups with merely oil cooled CHRA's. And then there's the ct26 with a wet CHRA. Personally...if you have the money, i'd get the wet CHRA for good cooling measure.

What happens to the stock lines for the stock turbo (if I don't get the AUX lines), do I just connect the 2 stock lines together with a hose?

You can block off the ports for the water lines, or loop them. I looped mine with a proper shape hose from autozone, if your's is oem, it's very brittle and will more than likely crack when you try to rotate it to loop it around.

If I don't have a boost controller, how much boost would I be running?

It's dependant on the tension in the wastegate spring. They provide a .7bar as a default, but you can always ask for a different spring, just note that if they don't stock it then it's just a longer turnaround. .7bar is 10.15psi.

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Ben

With the SB T3/T4, what is a thrust bearing? And what are the benefits of selecting a 360 degree thrust bearing?

Bump

[driftmonster]

Originally Posted by Lilly

MR. 2Lanes

15 psi on SB50-gen3 is fine, you can go as high as 17-18 psi. But might want to dyno it to check to make sure your not running out of fuel if you go to 17-18psi.
IF you choose to stay with the stock internals go with the SB46. Better spool and has comparable power.

KO Racing, Inc

Wow, KO Racing is in Oregon? Thats crazy,where exactly are you guys out of curiosity?

[driftmonster]

NVM, I just looked at the website, sweet when i find the right MK2 i Know where to go for sure! you guys are close. In all the time i heard great things about KO i dint know you were in Tualitin Freakin schweet:thumup

[Spike]

[quote=Ben;199767]

Originally Posted by Ben

With the SB T3/T4, what is a thrust bearing? And what are the benefits of selecting a 360 degree thrust bearing?/QUOTE]

Bump

Ben, I know Kris and the guys at KO have been swamped at the shop lately, so it may take them a bit longer than it usually does to check the threads. I suggest that you give him a call and I know he'd be glad to answer all your questions. He can technically answer your question better than I can, but I can tell you that the majority of the SB kit owners haven't had an issue with the standard thrust bearing and unless you are doing some hard racing at high boost, you should fine without it. (Paraphasing words from KO.) Sounds like for your boost levels and use, the 360° would be overkill or just be for peace of mind.


Kevin

[Ben]

Thanks for the heads up. I was wondering why they were taking awhile to respond - I thought that they were getting sick of my questions

[Loki]

Sorry for not replying sooner -- as spike notes, we've been very busy lately, and my own PC went bad forcing me to wait for a new arrival and keeping me away from email for near to 2 weeks amongst other things.

[92TURBO]

I have custom Street Brawler 57trim in my car and I am very pleased with the performance. I could not be any happier.

[Ben]

I ordered my kit Now the waiting begins.........

[92TURBO]

have fun with it. I'll be really pleased with the kit. Which setup did you purchased?

[Ben]

SB T3/T4, 46 Trim. Water cooling lines, black turbine housing option, 270 degree thrust bearing, 1 bar wastegate spring, and unpolished compressor housing.

[DrWonderEyes]

shouldn't watercooling be standard? i really want to purchase this kit. but somehow another 150 is a bit much considering the ATS TD06 kit has Watercooling standard. to me it ensure reliablity and longevity of the turbo. the other difference is ATS just charges another 100 to recirc the wastegate back into the downpipe. which makes their kit slightly cheaper.

but i'd really like the KO kit. i dunno. maybe i'll wait a bit longer. im still comparing the SB46 to the TD06 kits to decide who to go with.