Turbos Explained

nic spec c

Octane Boostaholics
Maybe of use to someone :thumbsup:


VF13
Primary turbocharger used on the JDM Legacy MY93-95.

VF14
Secondary turbocharger used on the JDM Legacy MY93-95.

VF18
Primary turbocharger used on the JDM Legacy MY96.

VF19
Secondary turbocharger used on the JDM Legacy MY96.

VF20
Turbocharger used on the JDM Legacy MY97.


VF22
(460cfm at 18.0psi, 250-325whp, Bolt-On) Used on the V3 Subaru Impreza WRX
This turbo has the highest output potential of all of the IHI VF series turbos and is the best choice for those who are looking for loads of top end power. The top end power however, does not come without a cost. The VF22 spools significantly slower than the rest of the IHI models due to the larger P20 exhaust housing and is much less suited for daily driving than some of the other models. Although the largest VF series turbo, the VF22 is not quite optimal for stroked engines or those who wish to run more than 20PSI of boost. Expect to achieve full boost with the proper mods and a quality tune between 3200-3700rpms.


VF23
(460cfm at 18.0psi, 250-325whp, Bolt-On) Used on the JDM V3 Subaru Impreza WRX.
This turbo is considered a great all-around turbo. Like the VF22 it utilizes the largest P20 exhaust housing. This housing is mated with a smaller compressor housing of the of the VF24 for fast response and excellent low and mid-range performance. This turbo is considered optimal in applications with range from mild to slightly wild. It does not have the same top end power of the VF22, but spools up significantly quicker. Expect to achieve full boost with the proper mods and a quality tune between 2800-3300rpms.

VF24
(425cfm at 18psi, 250-325whp, Bolt-On) Used on the V4 Subaru Impreza WRX STi.[/color]
This turbo shares its compressor housing with the VF23 however, this housing is mated with a smaller (P18) exhaust side. The smaller characteristics of this turbo allow it to provide ample bottom end power and quick spool. This turbo is very popular for Imprezas with automatic transmissions and Group N rally cars. Expect to achieve full boost with the proper mods and a quality tune between 2800-3300rpms.

VF25
Primary turbocharger used on the JDM Legacy B4. Utilizes a thrust-bearing design and a P12 exhaust housing.

VF26
(400cfm at 18psi)
This is the standard equipment primary turbocharger used on the JDM Legacy B4. Utilizes a divided thrust-bearing design and a P14 exhaust housing.

VF27
(420 CFM at 18psi)
This is the standard equipment secondary turbocharger used on the JDM Legacy. Utilizes a ball-bearing design and a P18 exhaust housing.

VF28
(425cfm at 18psi, 250-325whp, Bolt-On)
This turbo came standard on the STi Version 5. In terms of overall size, it is smaller than the VF22, VF30 and VF34, and about same size as the VF23. Expect to achieve full boost with the proper mods and a quality tune between 2800-3300rpms. 2002-2005 WRX owners will need fuel upgrades for this turbocharger and proper engine management is highly recommended for all vehicles.

VF29
(425cfm at 18psi, 250-325whp, Bolt-On)
This Turbo is nearly identical to the VF24, with the same compressor and exhaust housings. However the compressor wheel in the VF29 has been changed slightly. The changes made to the compressor wheel in this model are generally viewed as improvements, and as such this unit is typically chosen over the VF24. Has a different location for the pressure hose on the wastegate actuator.

VF30
(460cfm at 18psi, 250-325whp, Bolt-On)
This is the standard equipment turbocharger used on the JDM V7 Subaru Impreza WRX STi.
The VF30 is commonly considered the best bang for the buck turbo in the IHI VF series line. A relatively new model the VF30 features the same exhaust housing as the VF24 but a larger compressor side similar to the VF22. The combination of these two parts results in increased output potential without the lag associated with the VF22. Although it doesn't offer the top end supremacy of the VF22, the VF30 is a great compromise between these unit and the quicker spooling models. The VF30 is a thrust-bearing turbo that utilizes the P18 exhaust housing of a VF24 and the compressor housing sized between a VF23 and a VF22.

VF31
Utilizes a P11 exhaust housing.

VF32
The secondary turbocharger used in the B4 IHI VF32. On the exhaust side it uses a 46.5/35.4mm 9-blade turbine wheel, teamed with a 52.5/36.6mm 10-blade compressor wheel. It's rated at 180,000 rpm. Both the primary and secondary turbochargers use a floating metal centre bearing - not ball bearings.

VF33
The primary turbocharger used in the B4 is an IHI VF33 unit, which uses a 46.5/35.4mm 9-blade turbine wheel and a 47.0mm/35.4mm 6 + 6 blade compressor. At idle, the turbo spins at around 20,000 rpm and it can go on to a maximum speed of 190,000 rpm. It has a 17mm diameter wastegate opening to bypass excess exhaust gas. It utilizes a P11 exhaust housing and a divided thrust-bearing design.

VF34
(460cfm at 18psi, 250-325whp, Bolt-On) This is the standard equipment turbocharger used on the JDM V7 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Spec-C.
The VF34 is nearly identical to the VF30, with the same exhaust housing and compressor. However the VF34 goes back to the ball bearing design, and in doing so achieves full boost approximately 500RPM sooner than the comparable VF30. The VF34 is the most recent IHI design and as such costs slightly more than its counterpart. Top end performance and maximum output are identical to the 30.

VF35
(425cfm, 250-325whp, Bolt-On)
The VF35 has identical internals as the VF30 and it uses divided thrust bearings. However, the exhaust housing is a P15 which means this turbo will have fantastic spool characteristics. This turbo is standard on the new WRX Type RA. LIMITED SUPPLY. The VF35 is similar to the VF34. It utilizes the same compressor housing and the same compressor inducer size. The differences are in the divided thrust-bearing design and the P15 exhaust housing. This allows the VF35 to spool slightly quicker than the VF34 at the cost of less top-end performance.

VF36
(430 cfm, 250-325whp, Modification Required) This is the standard equipment turbocharger used on the JDM V8-V9 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec-C Type RA.
Roller bearing version of the twin scroll VF37, also has a titanium turbine and shaft for even quicker spool. Same compressor housing as VF30/34, however twin scroll P25 exhaust housing provides slightly better top end output due to reduced exhaust pulse interference. This turbo is good for 400HP and used on JDM STI Spec C from 2003 onwards. It is essentially a fast spooling VF34.

VF37
(430 cfm, 250-325whp, Modification Required) This is the standard equipment turbocharger used on the JDM V8-V9 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. (It is essentially a fast spooling VF30.)
Enter the age of twin scroll IHI turbos. Same compressor housing as VF30/34, however has a new twin scroll P25 exhaust housing that provides slightly better top end output due to reduced exhaust pulse interference. Twin scroll also provides better spool up for improved low down response over the VF30/34. This turbo is good for 400HP and used on JDM STI from 2003 onwards.

VF38
Twin scroll turbo with titanium turbine and shaft. Smaller compressor housing than VF36/VF37 provides tremendous spool up capabilities but less top end than VF36/37. The spool capabilities of this turbo are demonstrated on the JDM Legacy GT, which reaches peak torque at 2400RPM.

VF39
(250-325whp, Bolt-On) This is the standard equipment turbocharger used on the USDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
Single scroll turbo used on USDM STI and latest 2.5L STIs released internationally. Smaller than VF30/VF34. It can be found on all model years from 2004-2006. The VF39 utilizes a thrust bearing design and the P15 exhaust housing.
Expect to achieve full boost with the proper mods and a quality tune between 3000-3500rpms. 2002-2005 WRX owners will need fuel upgrades for this turbocharger and proper engine management is highly recommended for all vehicles that utilize this turbo aftermarket. Though they are prone to cracking (wastegate hole), VF39’s can be had for very cheap if bought used. Not because they're an inferior turbo, but the exhaust housing can be near the wastegate hole.

VF40
Used on the USDM Subaru Legacy GT. It can be found on all the current model years from 2005-2007.

VF41
Used on the JDM Subaru Forester STI. It utilizes a P18 exhaust housing.

VF42
Exclusive turbo to the S203/S204 models, this features a twin scroll design with a slightly larger compressor than the VF36/37 turbos and different turbine design (more blades). The VF42 is a roller-bearing turbo and is likely of similar size to the VF22 turbo, but with twin scroll exhaust housing for faster spool and superior top end performance due to reduced exhaust pulse interference.

VF43
(250-325whp, Bolt-On)
Used on the MY07 USDM Subaru Impreza WRX STI. It can be found on both base STI's and STI Limited's. The VF43 utilizes a thrust bearing design and the P15 exhaust housing. The difference between the VF43 and the VF39 used previously on STI's is the size of the wastegate. The VF43 has a larger wastegate designed to reduce boost creep issues.
 
Sorry for digging up and old thread, what turbo do people reckon is best? I have a VF22 on mine, what would be better to go for, or is that the best to stick to out of VF range?
 
:thumbsup: power figures seem to be very different in the US compared to here but its a rough guide to help out.
 
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