Fake/Chinese K04 turbo chargers?

[MTL20th]

Ok...looking on ebay, there are some really inexpensive K04 turbos on there...buy it now under 400 bucks?

They look brand new in the pics but the markings dont look OEM, are these "fakes" or just really good deals?

search ebay for K04 and you will see them.

[Iso1ith]

You get what you pay for...just remember that. If you really want a K04 Turbo just buy it from a reputable source.

[IcanA4dIt]

They definitely look to be replicas, as the stamp on the turbo doesnt look like oem ko4.

[MTL20th]

yeah thats what I figured...but hell, for 300 bucks, might be worth a try. Its not like it could hurt, worst case scenario it blows itself up. After all, its downstream of the engine.

[allmotor6]

I'd buy a used KO4 from the classefides first

[pgk2004]

Quote, originally posted by Iso1ith »

You get what you pay for...just remember that. If you really want a K04 Turbo just buy it from a reputable source.

x2

[bluebora20v]

Quote, originally posted by MTL20th »

yeah thats what I figured...but hell, for 300 bucks, might be worth a try. Its not like it could hurt, worst case scenario it blows itself up. After all, its downstream of the engine.

That's a joke right? What exactly do you think the turbo does? Compress air and force it into the cylinders maybe?

[SuckerPunch]

Quote, originally posted by bluebora20v »

That's a joke right? What exactly do you think the turbo does? Compress air and force it into the cylinders maybe?

now your talking crazy talk....

[b. diddy]

Quote, originally posted by SuckerPunch »

now your talking crazy talk....

haha

[Dub Ken]

Quote, originally posted by MTL20th »

yeah thats what I figured...but hell, for 300 bucks, might be worth a try. Its not like it could hurt, worst case scenario it blows itself up. After all, its downstream of the engine.

I just got done cleaning up my exploded K03s compressor wheel throughout the intake and head. Worst case... right?

[MTL20th]

yikes, I didnt think of that...I had never heard of that happening, then again I didnt know chinese fakes existed either.

[GLIdriver14]

theres a fake for everything

[ZachInDaHaus]

case in point: the Vii, a copy of the Wii (not even a joke!)

[GLI Dan]

^^ ROFL

anyway, there are certain things I would buy off ebay, like downpipes, headlights, intakes. Small stuff that if it fails won't have any catastrophic damage (if any) on the car.

However, the turbo is one of the most essential components of our vehicles. To go and replace it with what you're talking about would be like going to a good steak house night after night (capital grille, ruths chris..take your pick) and then deciding start going to steak n' shake to save some money.

[JJ2K1]

Try it. I'd like to know how it holds up for you.

[Ubel GLI]

Quote, originally posted by GLI Dan »

start going to steak n' shake to save some money.

don't you EVER talk bad about steak n' shake again, SnS is my jam!! I <3 it more than any other fast food... or most regular restaurants... evAr!!!

but in all honesty, I don't know if it's worth the risk, I doubt it'll bolt right up even if it says it will.

Is this one you're talking about?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW


Modified by Ubel GLI at 12:11 AM 5-15-2008

[Cool Me]

the ebay turbos will probably last you about a year, depending on how you drive. I know plenty of honda ppl who have ebay turbo kits and they work. Just dont expect the turbo to last as long as the real one.

[imolafresh]

i heard the ebay turbos have weak welds and flimsy shafts if you can figure out how to fix and beef it up for cheap u could have urself something good there id have a crappy car to be ur test subject tho

[MTL20th]

I havent cheaped out on anything for my car yet...why start now.

I went through the same thing when I purchased my LSD...was on the fence about getting an OBX unit but in the end the risk wasnt worth it, went with Peloquin.

Chinese knock offs = Not on my car.

[FromJetta2GTI]

I got me an eBay k04-001. Works great, no problems yet but I'll knock on wood don't wanna jinx myself. I'm planning on going big anyways so no sence in spending too much.

[checkdalevel]

FYI.... borg warner is making K04s in china.

Like every thing chinese...

once borg warner ends a production run... the factory will then produce a lower quality copy of the product.

So now u have companies like Frankenturbo and RpTurbo who contact these chinese factories and get them to do custom production runs using borg waners original molds.
the difference is frankenturbo or RP can keep an eye out for quality control.

I am telling you now... most of these connecting rods that are being sold by vortex "approved"
sellers are sourcing their rods from china. I've seen H-bean 1.8t connecting rods from china that look a lot like the popular $325 brand that every body has been installing. minus the logo of course.

has any one on the vortex seen a manufacturing facility state side where our "non chinese" parts are being made.

come on people every thing is made in china now

[1.8Tdailydriver]

FYI.... borg warner is making K04s in china.

Like every thing chinese...

once borg warner ends a production run... the factory will then produce a lower quality copy of the product.

So now u have companies like Frankenturbo and RpTurbo who contact these chinese factories and get them to do custom production runs using borg waners original molds.
the difference is frankenturbo or RP can keep an eye out for quality control.

I am telling you now... most of these connecting rods that are being sold by vortex "approved"
sellers are sourcing their rods from china. I've seen H-bean 1.8t connecting rods from china that look a lot like the popular $325 brand that every body has been installing. minus the logo of course.

has any one on the vortex seen a manufacturing facility state side where our "non chinese" parts are being made.

come on people every thing is made in china now

man's got a point!

[Dom Musto]

Thats right. Long live lead paint and communism. YOU Hurry up and Buy!!!

FYI.... borg warner is making K04s in china.

Like every thing chinese...

once borg warner ends a production run... the factory will then produce a lower quality copy of the product.

So now u have companies like Frankenturbo and RpTurbo who contact these chinese factories and get them to do custom production runs using borg waners original molds.
the difference is frankenturbo or RP can keep an eye out for quality control.

I am telling you now... most of these connecting rods that are being sold by vortex "approved"
sellers are sourcing their rods from china. I've seen H-bean 1.8t connecting rods from china that look a lot like the popular $325 brand that every body has been installing. minus the logo of course.

has any one on the vortex seen a manufacturing facility state side where our "non chinese" parts are being made.

come on people every thing is made in china now

[doug@frankenturbo.com]

The turbos sold on Ebay use cheap materials and are sold by the manufacturers for less than 90usd each.

So it's not getting what you pay for. It's getting what the Ebay resellers pay for. Yikes.

[dtriforce]

I got me an eBay k04-001. Works great, no problems yet but I'll knock on wood don't wanna jinx myself. I'm planning on going big anyways so no sence in spending too much.

How long have you had it for and how is it holding up?

[GTILOU337]

Quote, originally posted by MTL20th »

yeah thats what I figured...but hell, for 300 bucks, might be worth a try. Its not like it could hurt, worst case scenario it blows itself up. After all, its downstream of the engine.

I just got done cleaning up my exploded K03s compressor wheel throughout the intake and head. Worst case... right?

if u need another k03 let me know i have one that i took out of my car when i did my t3t4 upgrade and it only had 100,000 k on it

[FromJetta2GTI]

Just saw this today, i've had the turbo on since November of 2010 and it is now Mid April of 2011 and its running fine, but like i said I don't wanna jinx myself. I have about 11k miles on it so far I do lots of daily driving.

[euro-hoe]

I got me an eBay k04-001. Works great, no problems yet but I'll knock on wood don't wanna jinx myself. I'm planning on going big anyways so no sence in spending too much.

where did you get your turbo from? i have the exact same turbo; k04-001 but im doubful to use it

[87vr6]

Plain and simple, if it isn't a borg-warner, it won't last. Next time, PM the poster in the thread when't it's a year or more old... Better chance of getting a response that way.