Notices
Evo Engine / Turbo / Drivetrain Everything from engine management to the best clutch and flywheel.

Garrett vs. HKS Turbos

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 19, 2007, 08:59 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Sayajin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Snellville, GA
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Garrett vs. HKS Turbos

Okay guys. I am not asking about a specific turbo, more of a general question.

A HKS turbo costs about 2x the price of a similar Garrett Turbo. Is it worth the extra money for the HKS with essentially the same specs as the Garrett? Is the HKS truly that much of a superior turbo to the Garrett?

Just wanted to get your opinions. Like I said, not about a specific turbo. More about the 2 brands in general.

Thanks.


-Sayajin
Old Feb 19, 2007, 09:01 PM
  #2  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (14)
 
scott yo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: newjersey
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am pretty sure that Garrett makes HKS turbos
Old Feb 19, 2007, 09:04 PM
  #3  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Sayajin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Snellville, GA
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I believe that Garrett makes the compressor wheels.


-Sayajin
Old Feb 19, 2007, 09:26 PM
  #4  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (12)
 
t51splbb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: So Cal
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
HKS turbochargers are made by Garrett,like Greddy ones are made by Mitsubishi,like the Blitz ones are made by KKK,like Apexi ones are made by............................

The HKS units are supposed to be made to their specs,but nonetheless still made by Garrett.
Old Feb 19, 2007, 09:28 PM
  #5  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (25)
 
240Z TwinTurbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 2,800
Received 316 Likes on 248 Posts
HKS offers combinations and trims not available through Garrett.
Old Feb 19, 2007, 09:33 PM
  #6  
Account Disabled
 
Vigo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
HKS is overpriced. Just get a comparable turbo from Garrett from any of the U.S. vendors. JDM is not always tite.
Old Feb 19, 2007, 09:39 PM
  #7  
Account Disabled
 
Vigo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
...

Last edited by Vigo; Feb 19, 2007 at 10:15 PM.
Old Feb 19, 2007, 10:12 PM
  #8  
Evolved Member
 
Frenchy4g63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The only differance that I know of, is that HKS machines an inlet velocity stack on the compressor. I know they do this on the T51 series, cant say for sure on the rest.

Either way it's only good for .5%-.75% increase..

Just get Garrett..
Old Feb 20, 2007, 03:28 PM
  #9  
Evolving Member
 
discopotato03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Garrett Japan produce most of Garretts GT BB turbos and virtually all the HKS optioned cartridges . HKS have had their own turbine and compressor housings cast and machined at times to suit specific applications . The trumpet mouthed inserts were made to fit T51R's and GT3037S's . I'm not positive but I think these reduce the screaming or jet turbine noise that you get with port shrouded compressor housings .

I reckon the difference in performance they make (HKS marketed turbos) is due to better turbine housing nozzle design and at times more suitable wheel trim and housing A/R options .

People like to think that buying a generic Garrett GT BB turbo will make little difference in their usually only biggest compressor trim option but obviously HKS thought differently so had Garrett develop other combinations . If you look long enough and hard enough at wheels and trim sizes HKS market you begin to see why the tag sez power and response . Examples are turbos like GT3082R's , 56T comp Garrett , 50T comp HKS . HKS GT3037 48/52/56T comp , Garrett GT3076R 56T com only . HKS GT2835 48/52/56T comp , Garrett GT3071R-WG 56T only .
Making the top end power is not that difficult but getting a broad spread of power is the teasing issue . In a perfect world we would be able to buy any Garrett cartridge made with ALL the available wheel/trim options but for some reason (probably marketing) Big G don't want to do things this way .

Last edited by discopotato03; Feb 20, 2007 at 03:39 PM.
Old Feb 20, 2007, 04:09 PM
  #10  
Account Disabled
 
Vigo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can have an American company do the same thing for less...............................Like Buschur Racing/Forced Performance..............

Last edited by Vigo; Feb 20, 2007 at 04:12 PM.
Old Feb 20, 2007, 04:37 PM
  #11  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (36)
 
ries's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Yuma, AZ
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
not worth the money in my opinion...just go with garrett
Old Feb 20, 2007, 04:42 PM
  #12  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (24)
 
dubbleugly01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: houston
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
HKS is overpriced. Besides, Garrett is in the business of making turbos, and has been for decades. HKS is in the business of??????

HKS are custom Garrett's, that maybe true, but why not go with a custom Garrett from an American vendor as others have mentioned?

oh, and to add.... I've had both the SPL and KAI and grenaded both, so they're not indestructible. Both failures were due to faulty HKS BOV's.
Old Feb 20, 2007, 06:07 PM
  #13  
Newbie
 
10SecDSM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
hks rules......but pricey
Old Feb 20, 2007, 06:18 PM
  #14  
Evolving Member
 
HaVoK23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles,CA
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Dont forget your also paying for the name
Old Feb 20, 2007, 06:25 PM
  #15  
Evolved Member
iTrader: (24)
 
dubbleugly01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: houston
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 10SecDSM
hks rules......but pricey
Can you rebuild an HKS turbo to their specs? Can you get replacement parts for the rebuild in case of failure, or if the turbo is just "tired"?

Now ask the same question of Garrett's, or any custom Garrett from a US supplier.




Quick Reply: Garrett vs. HKS Turbos



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:59 PM.