[F30328iN202013]

Just got an Arashi 19T turbo installed on my N20...

I looked at all the options: Dinan, Arashi 18T, Full-Race 20T, SteamSpeed STX 58, Pure turbos, Mamba 9-11, Varagas, kinugawa, etc. and decided I wanted to keep within a certain budget and not push too, too much power through the N20 for reliability reasons. Spoke to the folks back and forth at Arashi for nearly a month before deciding on their TD04 19T turbo with 9 Turbine blades. They were very patient and answered all my questions. Ordered on October 10th and it arrived on October 18th via DHL from Taiwan.

Some specs:
Stock:
Compressor: 42/56 [If I recall correctly - need to check my notes]
Turbine: 41.2/47

Arashi 18T:
Compressor: 45/56 [11 blade]
Turbine: 41.2/47 [11 blade]

Arashi 19T:
Compressor: 46/58 [6+6 blade]
Turbine: 41.2/47 [11 or 9 blade for $50 extra]

Inside the box was the turbo, a free tshirt (of decent quality), a sticker, keychain, brochure, turbo dynamic balancing report and a metal credit card sized card with the turbo's serial number engraved onto it. First impressions are good - good service, and the product feels of good quality.

Installation was very labour intensive. I spent 7 hours shop in to shop out with a few 5 minute breaks and one break for a 10 minute dinner. I followed the Dinan instructions:http://files.dinancars.com/webresour...980939aa03.pdf
Notes:
- This turbo didn't come with replacement gaskets so you'll need to drop by the dealer for: 1. Oil inlet O-rings both sides, 2. Oil outlet gasket, 3. 2x coolant in/out O-rings
- You will need a lift. I can not imagine doing this in the driveway.
- You will drain your coolant, you will not drain your oil but there will be some oil lost when oil lines are disconnected + the oil that's in the old turbo when removed + you'll want some oil to prime the new turbo
- The most difficult part of the installation is removing the oil line from the block. I wasn't able to get the the torx screw without first unclamping the downpipe from the hot side of the turbo housing and dislodging the exhaust from the first exhaust bracket.
- The second most difficult part was actually getting the coolant inlet/outlet screw lined up and screwed in
- The third most difficult part was getting the clamp physically off the turbo, it gets stuck in so many ways trying to pull it out
- Dinan's instructions say you'll need to rotate the turbo counterclockwise to remove the oil inlet hose before removing from the vehicle. In my case this was not necessary just feed the line (disconnected from the block) through the small space out with the removal of the turbo (saves 1 pita)
- I also installed a Go Fast Bits DV+ while I was at it
- The rest was just labour - nothing too difficult - just follow the instructions

Initial driving impressions. From 3k RPM to about redline the car is quick, the turbo can be heard spooling and the power comes on fairly linearly without a 'hard' kick, just a slight one right around 3k. Also, the GFB DV makes marked improvement to boost control. Note that I have not purchased a DME tune yet, it's next on my list right now along with a higher flowing LPFP.
I'm running the following supporting mods:
- JB4
- Wagner Evo 1 FMIC
- FTP Charge/Turbo pipe
- Injen intake (older, noisy one)
- M performance exhaust
- Rev9 catless downpipe [mistake do not buy needs custom fitting]
- S55 plugs

Pics:





Cost:
Turbo: $800
Lift rental: $240
Gasket/O-Rings/Coolant/Oil: ~$50
Labour: 7 hours of my life
If anyone is interested in purchasing an Arashi turbo they have $50 off right now, and PM me if you want to split the referral of $30.

[Manboy]

Great work man! This is my next mod! Do you have any plans to get your car on a Dyno?

[F30328iN202013]

Originally Posted by Manboy

Great work man! This is my next mod! Do you have any plans to get your car on a Dyno?

Thanks! Yup, after I get a real (DME) tune and LPFP I'm planning to get on the dyno. Unfortunately I won't have a baseline though.

Leaning towards BM3+HCP tune, but if anyone has any recommendations I'm appreciative.

[DanM2C]

Thanks for the post and info - much appreciated!

What is your goal for the turbo upgrade? Holding boost longer, higher boost levels, or something else?

[Domotron]

im guessing you shooting for 350whp ?

[Domotron]

also where did you buy the turbo from ?

[F30328iN202013]

Originally Posted by Dan328f30

Thanks for the post and info - much appreciated!

What is your goal for the turbo upgrade? Holding boost longer, higher boost levels, or something else?

Goal is to flow more air, thus producing a bit more power. Particularly looking to increase the top end as the stock turbo feels like it runs out of steam in the upper range. I don't want to go past 22-23psi, as I'm not looking for the most aggressive gains. With the DV+ I hope to hold boost more consistently as the stock valve has been known to leak at boost.

[F30328iN202013]

Originally Posted by Domotron

also where did you buy the turbo from ?

Looking for more like 350HP@ the crank, not wheels : ) Just wanted Dinan Stg4 power range, anything above and beyond is gravy.

Bought the turbo directly from Arashi: http://arashidynamics.com/ email them as the N20 products are not listed on their site.

[Domotron]

Originally Posted by F30328iN202013

Looking for more like 350HP@ the crank, not wheels : ) Just wanted Dinan Stg4 power range, anything above and beyond is gravy.

Bought the turbo directly from Arashi: http://arashidynamics.com/ email them as the N20 products are not listed on their site.

thank you sir !

[F30328iN202013]

Just noticed the Arashi turbo has the same part number embossed on it as the Dinan turbo as posted here. Not sure if it means anything though: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...&postcount=139

Arashi didn't have compressor maps available so I decided to go with the 9 blade on the hot side to avoid any potential surge issues. I don't know if this was the right choice but yolo : )

[DanM2C]

Originally Posted by F30328iN202013

Goal is to flow more air, thus producing a bit more power. Particularly looking to increase the top end as the stock turbo feels like it runs out of steam in the upper range. I don't want to go past 22-23psi, as I'm not looking for the most aggressive gains. With the DV+ I hope to hold boost more consistently as the stock valve has been known to leak at boost.

Awesome - can't wait to hear how it goes more long term. That's mostly what I am shooting for too and thought that pure stage 2 might be a little overkill

[add911_11]

Well done to the OP who shared this piece of information!

[Domotron]

Originally Posted by F30328iN202013

Just noticed the Arashi turbo has the same part number embossed on it as the Dinan turbo as posted here. Not sure if it means anything though: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...&postcount=139

Arashi didn't have compressor maps available so I decided to go with the 9 blade on the hot side to avoid any potential surge issues. I don't know if this was the right choice but yolo : )

wow did not know stock intercooler was that small lol

[milkdi]

How do you feel about the lower RPM? I am debating between 18T and 19T and I do not want power only at higher RPM. You mentioned power come from 3k onwards and I am afraid the combination of larger 19T turbo and less turbine blades will be too much lag. What do you think?

[Gen13 F36]

I know everyone looking for power out of n20/26...how does this affect the drivability and MPG of the car. I already have stage 1 tune as a simple power adder. Please keep us updated.

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

I know everyone looking for power out of n20/26...how does this affect the drivability and MPG of the car. I already have stage 1 tune as a simple power adder. Please keep us updated.

It doesn't affect it much. I'm all the way to FBO, Stage 2 with a ~E40 mix. When I run the E40 tune, my MPG is low 20s depending on how I drive. Just normal 91 stage 2 tune, I still get about ~26 on the highway. Your MPG isn't going to suffer much unless you're abusing that pedal to experience the power every 5 minutes. As for drivability, nothing is going to change aside from the power. Most people are stopping around the E85 and upgraded turbo mark, because at that point you're going to stress the internals a lot more.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats OP!

Hopefully they will last, with turbo you get what you pay for.

[Gen13 F36]

We await your dyno and future updates😁

[LordRuxpin]

Wheres The Update!?!?!!?

[nemobanks]

Originally Posted by LordRuxpin

Wheres The Update!?!?!!?

last I seen was the upgraded fuel pump.

[Fr3sh]

Keep us posted!!! Nxt yr for bigger turbos!!! Getting flash tune bootmod3 few weeks 😎

[Gen13 F36]

I think he is having to much fun with car or it blew up