Vl turbo

[brad2610]

Hey guys have a vl commodore with factory turbo parts installed and I'm just wondering if anyone knows of either a rebuild kit for the factory turbo.. and or an identical turbo that will work for the factory set-up
I don't really know much about turbos.. Google just says it's a bt03 but googling bto3 turbos is giving me a range of different styles.. also there doesn't really appear to be any tag or stamping on the turbo to further identify it, other than saying nissan on the front housing.

 

[chrisp]

From memory, the VL used the Garrett T3 turbo but that was just the turbo internals. I think the housings (compressor and turbo housings) were made by Nissan. It was possible to buy new bearings from Garrett and they were quite cheap at the time (~$20) but fitting them properly was a specialist job ($$$ labour). In theory you could buy a new turbo ‘cartridge’ (tubro wheel, compressor wheel, bearings as an assembly) ready to install in to the original housings. However, the turbo housing was prone to developing on the inside, and the exhaust manifold was also prone to cracking as well so you might end up needing to replace those as well. There is a heat shield on the exhaust manifold, and the crack develops under the heat shield. So, removing the heat shield and looking at the exhaust manifold will soon determine if it is cracked. If you know what to listen for, it can be diagnosed by ear too. Oh, and the RB30 is notorious for breaking exhaust manifold studs as well. Again, an experienced mechanic will pick this up by ear.

 

[brad2610]

Ok im thinking if i pull down my old t3 the specs I'm looking for might be inside the actual turbo.?
Is wheel size usually stamped on the wheels? (Ive never had to pull a turbo apart) but I've done some research seems nissan has discontinued my particular turbo with correct housings.
Ive noticed all the modern turbos ive looked at have a range of different exhaust housings. I'm needing one to match the original 7 bolts. I need to use factory dump and exhaust piping without modification.
if i had the exact specs couldn't i just buy a moden t3 that has the exact same size wheels and swap the housings over?