Turbo shootout results: BW S256 vs GT3076R

Shift518 Automotive
1

First we would like to thank Dan for allowing us the use of his test unit, without this the comparison never would have happened.

My first thought upon looking at the turbo was that it is definitely larger compared to the GT3076r, and you can see that in the pictures below. The turbine on the s256 is significantly larger than the opposing gt3076r, as is the Exducer on the compressor due to the extended tip technology I gather. The S256’s 56mm inducer is 1mm smaller than the 30r’s 57mm inducer. The Borg Warner also comes packaged with a .50 A/R compressor housing vs. the Garrett’s .60 A/R t04e housing, both featured a ported shroud.

Here are some measurements I took of the turbos:

Borg Warner S256:

.50 A/R compressor housing
Compressor Inducer 56.0mm
Compressor Exducer 85.95mm
Turbine 75-76mm (odd number of blades couldn’t put a caliper directly on it just a ballpark figure)

Turbo with .70 A/R 4 bolt housing: 21 lbs
Turbo with .85 A/R 6 bolt housing: 23.2 lbs

Garrett GT3076r

Compressor Inducer 57.0mm
Compressor Exducer 76.14mm
Turbine 59.90mm

Turbo with .63 A/R 4 bolt housing 15.0 lbs
Turbo with Tial .63 A/R v band stainless housing 11.2 lbs

The turbos were tested on my personal motor, here are some of the specs on the motor:

block:
benson sleeved 84mm
earl assembled
9:1 cp pistons
pauter rods
acl bearings
stock crank

head:
applied flow port and polished and built
ferrea 1mm over valves
crower springs/retainers
84mm reshaped combustion chambers to 44cc
5 axis cnc headwork
ITR cams

turbo setup:
garrett gt3076r .82 a/r
garrett core 12x12x3.5 intercooler
2.50" intercooler piping
synapse motorsport front mount manifold
synapse motorsport 3" downpipe
tial 44mm wastegate
tial 50mm bov

stock ignition

other stuff:
victor x IM,
BDL 70mm TB,
competition stage 5 sprung clutch
AEM fuel rail
AEM filter
AEM fpr
walbro 255 stock lines
precision 1000cc injectors
kteller 3" with magnaflow muffler
fluidyne radiator
arp head studs
oem GE 84mm HG

here are a few pictures comparing the size of the two turbochargers.

30r on the left BW on the right.

http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/11c048e298168391fc1324db1c11114a8e7a2e91_800.jpg

30r on the left BW on the right.
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/13133d655b92709bc184423ae43e0a3c38087022_800.jpg

30r on the left BW on the right.
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/05183f2fa9c791962660ce0e5d0490c90538b7b2_800.jpg

30r on top BW on the bottom
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/5a20ab7650dbe06e5c9011dec4bfdb58a0bee8ba_800.jpg

BW on the left 30r on the right
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/095c20f792f940fd20b014c24f13ff7ee5b0d7bc_800.jpg

BW on the left 30r on the right
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/96a9bf49602e864d3160815ae85842d0535bd98e_800.jpg

30r on the left BW on the right.
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/c5387b0c3e9084547be83a4f21941b8578962c34_800.jpg

Here is the BW housing around the 30r turbine wheel you can see the difference in area around the turbine.
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/fa4d6f01472850f9d95eb057cb55512d4da39d14_800.jpg

few shots of the car on the dyno this morning expect more later.
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/8b92db81b8f3ee7250152c02454fa8f914daf6d4_800.jpg
ryan swapping out the BW for the garrett
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/5e4d1b373ae9999275a58ca9a990c350a402a6b9_800.jpg

Tests were all done today back to back, there were no changes in the tune whatsoever as both turbos were making the same power at the same boost levels. we used c16 fuel for these dyno runs.

the BW used a .70 a/r turbine housing.
the Garrett used a .82 a/r turbine housing.

dyno comparison at 20psi GT30r is the solid line BW 256 is dotted
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/285afb1e4acb37ea4b7e45d343bc376301212e22_800.jpg

green line is boost, blue line is torque
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/ca16a0c7fdef5a704c31cc5ba3a6af6c17e6372e_800.jpg

Comparison at 22-23psi GT30r is solid BW is dotted
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/d700155c8109610a16c4272aa79102db7316a4ad_800.jpg

green line is boost, blue line is torque
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/29c78f683cd060f4cedd2187548a5cb10aeda232_800.jpg

both turbos at 24psi dropping off to 23-22psi boost is holding out better on the gt30r but the bw is making a little more power
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/93aa7a054bb0d4ae84034460785e327f011d894d_800.jpg

green line is boost, blue line is torque
http://www.synapseturbo.com/gallery/cache/ce251802ad7564be5e4362d7639950c0ee8d1fc4_800.jpg

in conclusion overall the gt30r consistantly spooled 300-400rpms sooner at each boost level. the borg warner made similar power and at the higher boost levels made slightly more power. either turbo would be a great choice for someone looking to make 450-500+whp. stayed tuned for video footage of the dyno, were still figuring out the software on this new camera windows vista ftl.

2

I got the 35R, should be close in spooling to the 30 around the same rpm’s?

And yes, Vista FTL :nod

3

sweet comparison. :drink

4

so your seeing full boost a Tad bit before 5 grand with both turbo’s…nice

now for the REAL comparrison. The Borg warner makes a little bit more power when it comes to higher boost levels then the GT30R…now, which turbo is cheaper? lol

Note: I didnt know your turbo setup was like that with the turbo right there behind the front bumper and connected right to your intercooler…thats a pretty mean setup…i like.

5

the s256 spooled about as fast as the 35r did on my car.

the borg warner is about 100 dollars cheaper when you include the coolant lines for the 30r.

all in all i think there are non ball bearing units that garrett makes that could produce the same results for a lot less money.

6

Thats a great comparison and review! Ballbearing units always have an advantage by default so I was curious what would be a similar non BB turbo. I’m also surprised to hear that the prices are so similar.

7

I think the BW might have a slight advantage on a higher displacement engine cause it will probably flow more CFM than the 30R and more displacement would spool it a little better. Correct me if Im wrong, Im just assuming this do to the pics

8

you can still expect the 30r to spool faster on a larger motor, it might not be as evident though depending on the size of the motor. the 30r requires less exhaust gas to spool up and this should be consistant even on larger motors.

we are retesting these turbos with exhaust pressure data.

9

wow nice results, wish i had a 500whp anything. Keep up the good work

10

:+1

11

nice, you guys should have done this befor. When i got my S372 from Dan he sent me the 1.10 and the .90 housing and the pressure test showed the .90 work alot better for my setup. We are re-testing the pressure again with the new skunk pro 1 cams and head setup.

12

Nice test but even the strictest tests like this can suffer from heat soak and the spool curve can be adjusted even slightly at the start of WOT. For example, not enough cool down period of a test where the operator goes WOT a fraction of an RPM early/late can affect these tests.

Still, stuff like this makes me wonder why people go to other shops in the area? Just write a check. Simple.

13

not to get off topic, is this Juan or his brother? regardless him or not, the GSX still rollin around??

14

its not juan, but the GSX was sold two years ago when he was at school. getting an white evo after school is done should be intresting.

15

When the test was first brought about it was to compare the turbos back to back not optimize each turbocharger for the given setup. We are eager to see the data from both turbos. The turbine for the gt30r is much smaller, but the a/r on the BW housing is smaller than the 30r.

are you guys running a vtec head on your car this year?

16

no just a b20 p8r non-vtec head. Cams are custom. Right now i don’t see a why i would change to a vtec head.