What's required to do an X50 upgrade?
 

I have an '04 TT. A shop near me has turbo and intercooler takeoffs from an X50 available. Can the mechanics of the X50 turbo upgrade be done with just bolt on parts and if so, what are all of the parts involved? Anything to look out for? I know I will need to get a software upgrade which I was planning anyway. But, I'm new to this car and want to make sure I know what the shopping list is and how I go about making sure everything I'd be getting used is in good working order.

I'm assuming I should have the turbos checked and make sure the IC's are airtight, unrestricted etc.

Thanks for any advice.

Jim

To my knowledge, The k24s and ICs will bolt right up. You will want a tune to utilize the different turbo size.

Gotcha. Are the rest of the existing mechanicals like fuel pump etc all the same? Any other piping or parts different?

Sorry for the simplistic questions. I'm mostly a BMW guy.

Jim

When my friend has went from k16 to k24, he swapped the turbos, Ics, and softronic ecu, Turbos and Ic just bolted right up. Fuel pump I believe was the same.

While your at it send the K24 turbos out for the 18G upgrade, several vendors here offer the service with new waste gates as well. this much power will warrant a stronger clutch however... starts adding up.

Another option is the 16G upgrade for your K16 turbos- instant power with quick spool and cheap!

Hi,Yes thats all,its the K24 turbos,ICs,software AND the clutch disc which was a different number back then,,, But I believe its the same one now for both discs...Some believe it was the exhaust also?? Good Luck

Thanks for the inputs. My clutch is still ok. I will start accumulating the other might-as-well stuff like exhaust, intake etc. I will have to study these turbo options. I still have to see what the price is going to be for these parts. If it's too much, I might go for non-Porsche parts.

Which exhaust has the most bang for the buck without being annoyingly loud? I especially don't want any highway drone or buzziness.

Jim

X50 also has GT3 oil pump..

Thank you! That's exactly the type of information I am looking for.

Jim

Hi,Those rumors have been brought up,like the trans out put shaft being different......BUT my PCA members that got a few rebuilds said its not so ????:confused:

1. The X50 does NOT have the GT3 oil pump- FALSE
2. The X50 doe NOT have a different tranny- all parts the same
3. The X50 does NOT have a different exhaust.

4. OP, you CAN just bolt on the IC and K24 turbos, add tuning, and there you have it. BUT the question should be IS IT A GOOD IDEA.... How much will you spend for this 'upgrade'? 3-4k is the max it is worth, IMO

5. You can buy better intercoolers.
6. You can get a much nicer, new, turbo with a K18/24.
7. You are buying used parts, susceptible to wear..I would not trust a local shop to tell me 'the turbos we are selling used are in tip tip shape'

A

It depends on how much you're paying for the turbos and the intercoolers. With the K24s, they have potential to be upgraded; with the intercoolers, there are many better ICs out there. If you are not going to do 18g or 16g with the turbos, I won't even bother to switch from the K16s to the K24s. You're just wasting your money.

100% agree. I need to check the mileage on the donor car, which is available. I also have a friend that owns a turbo refurbishing business. I haven't talked to him since buying this car which I will do shortly. I definitely do not want to get ahead of all the knowledge available to me and make a dumb decision.

I appreciate the advice.

Jim

Really? for $500 or $1000 total you wouldn't toss on the ICs and K24s??

I guess my point is that it isn't 'worthless'... there is a $$ amount where the decision moves away from K24 to a better choice.

I am not looking for the ultimate build. I did that to a turbo M3 and got to the point that the car was no longer enjoyable on the street. I don't want to go there. I just basically want the added HP of the factory X50 option along with a nice ECU upgrade. A few other mechanical reliability upgrades and some weight savings and attitude from an exhaust and that will be it.

I'll make up a list of upgrades done and planned and make up a sig file. The one place I might stray is on larger/more efficient intercoolers. In SoCal, it's easy to heat soak smaller ones.

Jim