Garrett vs. HKS Turbos
#1
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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
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
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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..
Either way it's only good for .5%-.75% increase..
Just get Garrett..
#9
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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 .
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.
#10
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.
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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.
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.