best turbo for 550tune.

That spinning thing that makes all of the cool noises. OE and Aftermarket.

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
dillonr92
First Gear
Posts: 177
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:22 am
Location: PDX

best turbo for 550tune.

Post by dillonr92 »

im tryin to figure out what is the best turbo for the 550 tune.
everyone says td05 has lag and has a late spool...
also the tdo5 power is kinda pushing it for stock 22t heads and pistons.
i like what ive read about the VF29. ,the spool range . the power range . and max psi.
is the Vf29 a turbo for the 550 or 440 tune?...

is the VF 29 easy to come by?


or should i just get a tdo5 16g and 550 tune?

i am going for most power that is safe for stock block and heads
i want a dynamic turbo that delivers powerful yet quick spool all the way through low mid and top end ranges.
Last edited by dillonr92 on Sun Jul 28, 2013 6:20 am, edited 2 times in total.
92 SS winestone red. td04 - FMIC. RWD 5 spd swap/LSD.dead...
94 LEGACY GT RAISED ROOF WAGON, fozzy lift hydro clutch/91SS 5speed/VLSD..#5.NEW FuLL DRiFT SLuT 93SS winestone,RS 5speed RWD. Welded rear, td04, fmic, 17x9 +20
kimokalihi
Fifth Gear
Posts: 8360
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
Location: Tenino, WA

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by kimokalihi »

So you want a variable vane turbine? There's a guy named dan who was last seen putting one on his ss but he hasn't been on in a long long time.
Last edited by kimokalihi on Sun Jul 28, 2013 6:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
dillonr92
First Gear
Posts: 177
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:22 am
Location: PDX

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by dillonr92 »

right. i know i m gonna loose some were but im sure theres a turbo for the 550 tune that has the best of all worlds
92 SS winestone red. td04 - FMIC. RWD 5 spd swap/LSD.dead...
94 LEGACY GT RAISED ROOF WAGON, fozzy lift hydro clutch/91SS 5speed/VLSD..#5.NEW FuLL DRiFT SLuT 93SS winestone,RS 5speed RWD. Welded rear, td04, fmic, 17x9 +20
mike-tracy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5000
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:52 am
Location: Des Moines, Wa

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by mike-tracy »

I can tell you that the Subaru td05 has a bit of lag on a 2.0, but when I drove my friend's stock ej22t with a revtronix chip and td05, the lag was much reduced. He hit full boost at 2750 (18PSI) while I have to wait another 5-700 rpm for that. The 22t heads didn't flow as well as DOHC, but they are tuned for power down low, and it shows.

If I did my car over from the start, I'd prob start with a stock 22t/550cc/td05/robtune, because of how much more drivable it is everywhere. Perhaps getting deltacam's basic turbo cams for a little more breathing up top.
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
kimokalihi
Fifth Gear
Posts: 8360
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
Location: Tenino, WA

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by kimokalihi »

Yeah there is. To find the best turbo you would want to decide what rpm range you want all your power to be in and then do some calculations and look at compressor maps to see which turbo will be most efficient in that range, I think. Been a while since I read corkys book maximum boost but I highly recommend it. I think with a td05 16g and your 2.2 block and heads your compression ratio along with your displacement should be decent in the lower range and great in the midrange but those 2.2 heads may not flow that well up high but that's alright.
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
mike-tracy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5000
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:52 am
Location: Des Moines, Wa

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by mike-tracy »

I can tell you that a td05-16g runs out of breath long before my 7500rpm redline... ;)
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
kimokalihi
Fifth Gear
Posts: 8360
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
Location: Tenino, WA

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by kimokalihi »

Really? I don't think my td05-18g does. It better not. Damn thing is so slow to spool when I take off.
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
mike-tracy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5000
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:52 am
Location: Des Moines, Wa

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by mike-tracy »

Your turbo by definition has a larger exducer hence the more top end, right?
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
kimokalihi
Fifth Gear
Posts: 8360
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
Location: Tenino, WA

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by kimokalihi »

That's correct.
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27884
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by Legacy777 »

There are slightly different varients of the TD05-16G. On my previously stock 2.2t engine, I personally did not feel there was any excessive/more lag than the vf11. Nore did I feel it ran out of breath.....my limiting factor was the heads.

My TD05-16G was a mildly ported turbo from Deadbolt.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
dillonr92
First Gear
Posts: 177
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:22 am
Location: PDX

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by dillonr92 »

so the only down fall of the tdo5. is it will have a bit more power than the stock heads allow. so ill have to stay below a certain boost level.?..

i would still like to know about other turbos that are for the 550cc/550 tune that are not too much for our heads....

also if i went with a tdo5/550cc/550 tune what can i do to the motor so it can handle all the power available with out making it DOHC...
like port and polish.? or like miketracy said delta turbo cams.? or other things??
92 SS winestone red. td04 - FMIC. RWD 5 spd swap/LSD.dead...
94 LEGACY GT RAISED ROOF WAGON, fozzy lift hydro clutch/91SS 5speed/VLSD..#5.NEW FuLL DRiFT SLuT 93SS winestone,RS 5speed RWD. Welded rear, td04, fmic, 17x9 +20
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27884
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by Legacy777 »

Chances are you'll run out of fuel capacity before you run out of turbo....at least that was the case on my setup. The delta cams should help that.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
wtdash
Fifth Gear
Posts: 2345
Joined: Fri May 04, 2007 4:09 pm
Location: N. ID

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by wtdash »

Hi,
Have you read the NASIOC turbo list - HERE? Check it out. Note that the VF series turbos numbers are chronological / by age - not by size. A VF10 is Bigger than our EJ22T's VF11, but is from the early JDM Legacy, so has a lower number, IIRC.

TD05-16G (aka Small 16G) is going to be about as big you want to go w/the 550(525cc)/Rob Tune as you'll be maxing out the MAF. Rob is working on a bigger MAF (Nissan Z32, etc.) but until then you'd need to do a stand-alone ECU to go any bigger. Also, the 525ccc injectors are about maxed out w/the TD05, so you'll run out of injector w/a bigger turbo too.

Other turbos:
- STi '04+: VF39/43/48 (all basically the same - each is just a newer version) - these will all be about the same as a TD05-16G, and are readily available on NASIOC and other Subaru sites. The TD05 is NOT relatively easy to find and generally more $$. These work well w/the 550/Rob tune.

- The other VFxx series turbos are older and from NON-US cars, so not easy to come by. I've had some success buying VF and TD05 turbos from Ebay.UK.com - just make sure the Seller will ship to the US and get a shipping cost...the turbos are cheaper than over here, but w/shipping it's generally about the same.

- The other TD-series turbos such as the TD06 - 18G/20G, etc are going to be too much, IMHO.

- The turbos from the newer Legacy GT/ '08+ WRX/Forester are a different design and require a different IC setup so beware of buying one of those. Plus, the VF40 appears to have a high failure rate on the Legacy - check out legacyGT.com.

- There are many other turbos, but I'm not too familiar w/them - Forced Performance, AVO, Garrett, etc. But I believe they are for big power - 300HP+ and won't work well, if @ all w/the 550/Rob Tune. Refer back to the NASIOC list for info.

GL,
Td
Turbo Subies:
'87 GL-10 Turbo - SOLD
'90 BJ EJ22T/DOHC & 5speed swap - SOLD
'04 FXT, Forged internals, VF39, STI TMIC, Cobb AP- SOLD
'93 Legacy SS - 5-speed, SOLD :-(
'02 WRX -SOLD
'96 BD-turbo'd-SOLD
'98 SF - NA-T
dillonr92
First Gear
Posts: 177
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:22 am
Location: PDX

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by dillonr92 »

i read the turbo list it was pretty informative. i think im probaly gonna try to source a tdo5 but probaly end up. with a. vf39. will the vf39 end up running out of fuel like the td05?
92 SS winestone red. td04 - FMIC. RWD 5 spd swap/LSD.dead...
94 LEGACY GT RAISED ROOF WAGON, fozzy lift hydro clutch/91SS 5speed/VLSD..#5.NEW FuLL DRiFT SLuT 93SS winestone,RS 5speed RWD. Welded rear, td04, fmic, 17x9 +20
wtdash
Fifth Gear
Posts: 2345
Joined: Fri May 04, 2007 4:09 pm
Location: N. ID

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by wtdash »

^ you're running the rob tune? If Yes then there won't be any fueling issues. The rob tune is designed for the 550 with a tdo5 or STI turbo. That why I don't recommend going any bigger.
TD
Turbo Subies:
'87 GL-10 Turbo - SOLD
'90 BJ EJ22T/DOHC & 5speed swap - SOLD
'04 FXT, Forged internals, VF39, STI TMIC, Cobb AP- SOLD
'93 Legacy SS - 5-speed, SOLD :-(
'02 WRX -SOLD
'96 BD-turbo'd-SOLD
'98 SF - NA-T
dillonr92
First Gear
Posts: 177
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:22 am
Location: PDX

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by dillonr92 »

not running it yet just doing my research..i am planning on getting the 550 robtune. i figure do it right and as big as i can the first time an i wont have to upgrade a bunch. i already have a 255 fuel pump in and a jecs MAF and MBC om the side. i just need the turbo.injectors. ignition.. and tuned ECU..... what should my HP be around after all thats done if anyone knows?

and thank you guys youve answered my questions rather well.
92 SS winestone red. td04 - FMIC. RWD 5 spd swap/LSD.dead...
94 LEGACY GT RAISED ROOF WAGON, fozzy lift hydro clutch/91SS 5speed/VLSD..#5.NEW FuLL DRiFT SLuT 93SS winestone,RS 5speed RWD. Welded rear, td04, fmic, 17x9 +20
wtdash
Fifth Gear
Posts: 2345
Joined: Fri May 04, 2007 4:09 pm
Location: N. ID

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by wtdash »

^ Did you review Rob's 'rob tune' thread and his robtune.com site?? There are a couple of posts on it there w/#'s.

I'd guess you'll see 250hp/250ft-lbs w/the TD05/VF39 AT THE WHEELS - 300 crank.

Have fun,
TD
Turbo Subies:
'87 GL-10 Turbo - SOLD
'90 BJ EJ22T/DOHC & 5speed swap - SOLD
'04 FXT, Forged internals, VF39, STI TMIC, Cobb AP- SOLD
'93 Legacy SS - 5-speed, SOLD :-(
'02 WRX -SOLD
'96 BD-turbo'd-SOLD
'98 SF - NA-T
kimokalihi
Fifth Gear
Posts: 8360
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
Location: Tenino, WA

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by kimokalihi »

225 whp? That's what my last dyno run was but I didn't know at the time I had a vacuum leak, exhaust header leak and a clogged cat. Rob tune, 550s, td05-18g, 18psi. But this is on an ej20g too with lower than stock compression ratio due to a block replacement with lower compression pistons. So maybe you'll hit 250whp.
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
James614
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1744
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:35 am
Location: Arkansas

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by James614 »

wtdash wrote: - There are many other turbos, but I'm not too familiar w/them - Forced Performance, AVO, Garrett, etc. But I believe they are for big power - 300HP+ and won't work well, if @ all w/the 550/Rob Tune. Refer back to the NASIOC list for info.

GL,
Td
Most of them are big-power, but I know at least Garrett has the smallish disco potato (GT2860) that is similar to a TD05, maybe slightly smaller. Spools faster than the TD05 IIRC but they're also very expensive.
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
Tommio RS
Second Gear
Posts: 502
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:08 am
Location: Winnipeg MB

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by Tommio RS »

James614 is totally correct in what he said here.

From personal exp. the Garrett GT2860RS is a wee bit smaller than a TD05. And yes it spools faster.
But the GT2860RS is not a cheap turbo...Your looking at $1600 plus for one of them new.

I have my GT28 with a rob 550 tune, and it rips HARD!!

Im hitting 14psi/low boost at 2800 around about. Feels like a new WRX
Thats still not hitting the 18psi i want out of the turbo!


I had a VF39 and it was a good turbo. It made probably the best noises out of all the turbo's i have had!
Then it broke....
I also had a small time with a TD05-16G had a little bit more lag but was nothing to extreme at all. Was not my turbo.
The GT2860RS probably is my fav. It probably does not have the top end HP as the other turbo's but its BB and spools perfect! Its like the stock VF11 but with 3 times the output!

But ya

Just depends on what you want and how deeps your pockets in the end.
93 Legacy Turbo AT Sliver Stock, Ultra Rotty Body
93 Legacy Turbo MT Silver Rob Tune 550cc Lowered GT28 AWIC 4.11 05 Leg GT rims Mint body
95 Chevy Corvette MT ZR-1 Black X Brace Chipped
94 Legacy Turbo AT Blue Stock SOLD
06 Pontiac G6 AT Green Stock SOLD
kimokalihi
Fifth Gear
Posts: 8360
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
Location: Tenino, WA

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by kimokalihi »

Aren't all the garrett turbos fitted with exhaust flanges that are not compatible with subarus?
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
Tommio RS
Second Gear
Posts: 502
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:08 am
Location: Winnipeg MB

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by Tommio RS »

Well i dont think so.

You can find them here:
http://www.atpturbo.com/mm5/merchant.mv ... y_Code=SUB

APT uses Garrett turbo's.

Tho what the "actual" exhaust side of the turbo is beyond me.

My best bet this that APT uses the compressor from a Garrett GT something with a TD0 something?

Unless they actually do make there own.

But yes you can buy a drop in GT turbo for a subaru. Mainly for newer models of forester and wrx. The cars with the intake the runs UNDER the intake mani. You will need some mods to make it work with the ej22t
93 Legacy Turbo AT Sliver Stock, Ultra Rotty Body
93 Legacy Turbo MT Silver Rob Tune 550cc Lowered GT28 AWIC 4.11 05 Leg GT rims Mint body
95 Chevy Corvette MT ZR-1 Black X Brace Chipped
94 Legacy Turbo AT Blue Stock SOLD
06 Pontiac G6 AT Green Stock SOLD
James614
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1744
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:35 am
Location: Arkansas

Re: best turbo for 550tune.

Post by James614 »

Under the inlet is no prob, it should be the same mods as for using a wrx td04.

I know many Garrett turbos are run rotated-mount with a custom down pipe, but I have read about a few companies making them for drop 02-07 WRX/STI fitment.
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
Post Reply