# How to visually tell if a turbo is journal or ball bearing?

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-visually-tell-if-a-turbo-is-journal-or-ball-bearing/260189>\
**Category:** Shift518 Automotive\
**Created:** [August 27, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-visually-tell-if-a-turbo-is-journal-or-ball-bearing/260189 "2011-08-27T13:00:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 6

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![imported\_hybrdthry91](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/imported_hybrdthry91/32/6315_2.png) [@imported\_hybrdthry91](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_hybrdthry91)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2011, 10:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-visually-tell-if-a-turbo-is-journal-or-ball-bearing/260189/6 "2011-08-30T10:00:00Z")

</div>

> [@Buffalo Athletic Club](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buffalo-athletic-club/44729/25):
>
> This kid on craigslist has a gt3076r for sale… I bought ladukes civic in thoughts of taking the turbo kit off, keeping turbo and sell it as an N/A but after seeing what laduke dude did with the paint I wouldnt get SHIT for it lol… Didnt wanna fuck lance over by not buying it so I bought it and am just gonna resell the thing.
> 
> #1 - Do the Garrett 3076r’s even come journal bearing?
> 
> #2 - I’ve seen various hp ratings for these, whats the real max hp rating?
> 
> #2 - If the answer of question 1 is YES, how can I tell if the turbo is journal bearing or ball bearing without taking it apart?
> 
> Really wanted to go with the gtx30r but I can probably get this thing with 700 miles on it for $500-600 which imo is real cheap?
> 
> Thanks bros

All Garrett GT series ball bearing turbos are water cooled. there will be 4 ports on the center section. 2 for oil top and bottom, and then 2 for coolant on the sides.

---

_[View the full topic](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-visually-tell-if-a-turbo-is-journal-or-ball-bearing/260189)._