RB20 Stock Turbo Sound

[Slider15]

Im a complete newbie when it comes to turbo cars so please forgive my ignorance. When i jump on the gas in my 93 gts-t and the boost builds it makes an almost squeeling/screaming sound. I can tell its spooling, the car pulls hard and as far as i know the boost is building completely. I know turbos do make sounds when they spool but this just sounds a little off to me. Can anyone confirm or deny this sound of a stock RB20 turbo?

[Voodoo_ChildR32]

Squealing usually indicates something rubbing internally or a bad bearing. My rb25 turbo squeals like a bitch, no shaftplay and shaft spins freely by hand, and builds perfect boost. Kinda sucks cause I had to switch back to an rb20 turbo which doesn't have as much punch. Try and source out a replacement ASAP before the oil seals let go as mine did.


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[Slider15]

I want to upgrade to an RB25 turbo. Am i correct that the series 2 RB25 turbos are steel wheeled instead of ceramic?

[BongRips]

IIRC, no. afaik, the stock turbos on the rb20, 25, and 26 are all ceramic. The N1 turbos you can get on the rb26 are steel however.

[BongRips]

Actully, the rb25 neo has two different turbos, one of which is branded Garrett and is steel wheeled. Same with the vg30det.

[Slider15]

I just went out and took a video clip of the sound, i will post it as soon as i can. After listening to it closely it actually sounds more like air is escaping and making a whistling sound. Any ideas?

[danwit]

Sounds like a boost leak. If your car runs fine when off boost it could be a loose coupler that only leaks when its building boost. Try doing a pressure test with an air compressor, if theres a leak youll hear it.

[Slider15]

hopefully this video works, let me know what you guys think after hearing it.

http://vimeo.com/39083222

[Skym]

Usually a boost leak in intake piping after turbo. But if fix boost leak and sound doesn't go away it can be the compressor wheel touching compressor housing (how stock RB20 turbo failed on my car and made whistling sound around 0 on boost gauge and when it got worse there was a wackng sound). Another area is BOV flange gasket (gasket is not replaced when BOV is removed, refitted).

[Slider15]

how do i do a pressure test with a compressor in order to check for a leak?

[Bee-RSkyline]

take a PVC end cap the same size as your piping. drill a hole and install a valve stem. Disconnect the piping and attach the end cap.
Pressurize and listen for air escaping. Don't pressurize too much though

[danwit]

hopefully this video works, let me know what you guys think after hearing it.

http://vimeo.com/39083222

That doesnt sound like a boost leak it sounds like a rabbit being eaten alive!

[clone]

I agree do both tests

Boost Leak Tester DIY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atretf9u-Mc

How much shaft play should a journal bearing turbo have?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH5YUw4kOQk

Another option is find a turbo shop and have them rebuild the turbo to be able to take more boost.

[Skym]

Hybrid RB20 turbo.

Cherry turbo -

http://www.cherryturbos.com/Hybrids.html

[evolution23]

I didn't hear anything wrong in the video? Sounds like my apexi pod filter when I boost my car..