It's time for a new turbo for my 2009 R56S and am tempted by the price for the Stigan turbo on Amazon. I was just wondering what, if any, experience others might have had with them. I'm open to other suggestions as well. Cost is certainly a consideration but would also like a moderate increase in power but I'm more concerned with long term reliability.

Ric Johnson
Des Moines, Iowa

 

I would do borg warner or a performance aftermarket. I just worry about those low priced turbos failing and ruining the engine

 

NO! dont do it, do it right and get a Borg Warner JCW turbo, you wont regret it.
You'll have stronger pull thru the gears with plenty of passing power and will fee like a different car.

 

Borg Warner JCW turbo can be had for about $600 before tax and shipping on Rockauto. I purchased a Standard Motor Products brand turbo, and I can confirm it is 100% Borg Warner. Standard Motor Products TBC590. Look at the pictures, it has a Borg Warner plate on it. Also, the install instructions are from Borg Warner.

 

General information:
My Stigan turbo was installed 2 years ago with a GFB BOV, and the "pull" was restored. Thus far, the Stigan has made it from the midwest to Stony Brook, NY and Corpus Christi, TX, and back in the summer of 2021 without issue after several sp121ted 1-mile WOT accelerations in intense heat.

The factory turbo started failing intermittently in 2018 (2010 MCS purchased new) -- didn't know it was the source of the occasional errors [1/2 engine symbol] until the wastegate ultimately failed in 2020. After that, the error occurred during each acceleration phase.

If I get 6 more years out of the Stigan, I'll be happy that it lasted as long as the factory turbo. If not, I will certainly report the shortcomings to the NAM community.