Threw $150 at a cheap turbo kit off eBay - what a disaster

Figured I'd save cash on my 2002 WRX by grabbing a no-name turbo setup from some seller in California. Installed it myself over a weekend in my garage, felt like a hero for about 20 miles until the wastegate jammed open and I lost all boost. Took it to a shop in Portland and they found the turbine shaft was already scored from poor balancing. Ended up spending another $400 to get a proper used OEM unit bolted on, plus labor. Has anyone else learned this lesson the hard way or am I just the dummy here?

2 comments

2 Comments

zara_perez621mo ago

Had a buddy do the same thing on his STI, spent like a whole Saturday putting it on and it grenaded before he even got to show it off. Ended up towing it to a shop in Seattle where they basically laughed at him. Cheap eBay stuff is just asking for trouble.

ryan_kim631mo ago

Laughed at him" - I had a shop laugh at me once for showing up with a transmission in my trunk. Brought back memories.