Hoon
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Rhode Island
You bastards...
7
IS38 - Any Regrets or Unresolved Issues?
- Thread starter normcaldwell
- Start date
normcaldwell
Go Kart Newbie
- Location
- Denver, Colorado
lol . . . .
bluekid99
Drag Race Newbie
- Location
- Pennsylvania
i dont think it is at all
Gawernator
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- Fremont, CA
I thought 6 hours was long for me lol. Dang two days.
Ital
Go Kart Newbie
- Location
- Italian in CT
Thanks for the thread OP. I am thinking about upgrading as well. I like the fact of lower torque down low RPM. I think its a better daily driver 
now the biggest question is where to find the is38 turbo for the best price?
I found some old post talking about it being available from Germany for about $800 new but could not find anything like that. Anyone know?
Thanks
now the biggest question is where to find the is38 turbo for the best price?
I found some old post talking about it being available from Germany for about $800 new but could not find anything like that. Anyone know?
Thanks
bluekid99
Drag Race Newbie
- Location
- Pennsylvania
Thanks for the thread OP. I am thinking about upgrading as well. I like the fact of lower torque down low RPM. I think its a better daily driver
now the biggest question is where to find the is38 turbo for the best price?
I found some old post talking about it being available from Germany for about $800 new but could not find anything like that. Anyone know?
Thanks
ive heard ebay and what not sometimes you can get a used one off here...i went to AP tuning in Lebanon Pa and they whacked me 1200 for the turbo
Gawernator
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- Fremont, CA
Thanks for the thread OP. I am thinking about upgrading as well. I like the fact of lower torque down low RPM. I think its a better daily driver
now the biggest question is where to find the is38 turbo for the best price?
I found some old post talking about it being available from Germany for about $800 new but could not find anything like that. Anyone know?
Thanks
Used seems to be $800-900 and I've found them new for $1,200
Ital
Go Kart Newbie
- Location
- Italian in CT
$1200... where?
I think the lowest I saw is $1300
If you guys find a good deal make sure you PM ITAL
I think the lowest I saw is $1300
If you guys find a good deal make sure you PM ITAL
Gawernator
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- Fremont, CA
Real volkswagen parts
Diggs24
Autocross Champion
- Location
- de plains! de plains!
- Car(s)
- 2015 GTI
Gawernator
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- Fremont, CA
I got my IS38 for $600 brand new on a no reserve open bid auction on eBay
NICE. I almost got one for $250 but it was the Audi version I guess and wouldn't work. I would have skipped IS20 for a 38 for that price
teemmy
Ready to race!
- Location
- bay area, CA
So you'd have to purchase the turbo itself + install if you don't do it on your own. Also getting a proper tune will cost money and like someone else mentioned, you'll need a clutch if you're MT. You're easily looking at $800-900 for turbo and $600-700 for a proper tune. Not to mention the clutch if you're a manual + labor costs.
The turbo lag isn't bad - I hit peak torque around 3100 rpms - but it's not like the is20 which kicked in lower.
The top end power is night and day difference - you'll be giggling after your first pull in the IS38. I'm still amazed every time I floor it.
I went with a CTS FMIC and my oil temps have gone up to 235 instead of the normal 225 ish in normal driving conditions - I do wonder if a direct replacement would have kept the temps down to 225. I guess I'll find out when I switch over to a direct IC. In terms of the track, I've hit 270F when I was stage 2 but I only had golf R IC at the time, so I'm curious what a larger proper IC will do.
The turbo lag isn't bad - I hit peak torque around 3100 rpms - but it's not like the is20 which kicked in lower.
The top end power is night and day difference - you'll be giggling after your first pull in the IS38. I'm still amazed every time I floor it.
I went with a CTS FMIC and my oil temps have gone up to 235 instead of the normal 225 ish in normal driving conditions - I do wonder if a direct replacement would have kept the temps down to 225. I guess I'll find out when I switch over to a direct IC. In terms of the track, I've hit 270F when I was stage 2 but I only had golf R IC at the time, so I'm curious what a larger proper IC will do.
TheGreekFreak
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- MA
I got my IS38 for $600 brand new on a no reserve open bid auction on eBay
Wow, that is a phenomenal find. I just picked up a slightly used one for $850 shipped. At least its the newest revision T off a 2017 golf R but would take your deal all day long.
Ok, to all the IS38 guys:
1) Would you spend the coin to get it balanced (or more?) considering its the latest revision? It does have I think 8K miles on it, 4K miles were stage 2. Anything else you would do? I plan to get a protune and keep the car for a while so I want to reduce the possibility of it going early on me. My goal is a reliable 350whp, don't need much more than that.
2) Do I need the IS38 hardware kit ECS sells for the install?
I think mine is the A revision i can't remember... 25,000 raped miles with 22-28 psi of boost and it's holding up great. Been thinking about sending it to convert it to a hybrid, but well see. I personally think the revisions are all bullshit and its just a manufacture batch. These turbos are garbage and we all know it, but the IS38 does have a bit more balls to survive a beating vs the is20. Just by looking at the casting where the turbine spins it doesn't look smooth at all and it's pretty embarrassing considering that it's "made in Germany" and i have nothing more bad to say... other then that it's a fun bolt-on and worth it if you can do it yourself. The first pull is amazing when you feel it making power at 6000 rpm lol especially in third gear when you have traction.