What is a "billet" turbo?
 

As the subject line says, what does "billet" mean in the context of turbochargers? Housings machined or forged from a billet? Wheels?

Thanks!

Jon

Billet Turbo usually refers to the turbo compressor wheel.

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billet wheels are forged and fully-machined. they are lighter, stronger and usually have the latest in compressor design. a billet wheel will give faster spool then a conventional wheel.

Garett has a lot of good articles about turbo charging basics...

here is one on billet wheels
http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbob..._Machined.html

+1000

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Thanks for all the responses guys.

According to the article, a billet wheel has no inherent performance advantage just because it is machined from billet. The advantage seems to derive from the fact that these wheels are much less expensive to produce, especially in small quantities, than an investment cast wheel of the same design. This allows the manufacturer to make and test new wheel designs, which gives the potential to have a higher performance wheel.

I guess it's like a lot of aftermarket performance stuff. You can get big improvements, but you should look at the data before you buy.

Jon

What makes the K16 billets so good . There is talk of them producing just short of 18g power.
Are the K16 billets larger than the standard K16 and 16g's:confused:

After reading that information if the K16 billets are no better for power whats the point of fitting them:confused::confused::confused:
Frank

HI,I agree with you and that article...Mike from Blouch Turbo,,he does the 18g ,20g and now billet,told me the same thing...Same lag and a potential extra air flow to make about 20 hp more with the right tuning...

I haven't seen the billet turbo cars go faster then the 18g's on the Txmile.

rdss - What? I can't hear you over your avatar...

hilarioushilarious

Billet wheels are the newest technology they weren't making these kind of wheels in the 80's and 90's that the mainstream could get their hands on. So you know atleast your getting current technology.

the big gains are from a wheel with the newest designs that flow more air then a cast wheel at the same Boost Pressure, they also generally spool a little faster then a cast wheel as closer tolerances can be machined into the designs.

compare a Mitsubishi 18g wheel that i know has been out for atleast 8yrs maybe longer, now the billet version the 18gXT flows more air and has the potential to make 20more hp then the cast version.


but the other side of things with the technology to machine the wheels and compressor housings. they can make so many more turbo combinations for the user.

Most turbos out there were created for a certain engine, then after testing and design for that motor were completed released so we could buy them. this doesn't mean its the best turbo for your car or the most efficient for your power level its just what is available.

so the ability to custom machine the turbos with the turbine housing to match your application is the best thing.

this type of thought is what brought Garret wheels and compressor housings to our cars in the hybrid venture. and look at how much different an A28(Billet version of the Garret gt2860rs) Is from the original gt28(GT640) kit evoms used to put out.

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