For mild power upgrades or budget turbo conversions, second-hand OE turbochargers can be a cost-effective alternative to brand-new aftermarket units. Knowing which one best suits your requirements is another matter. In this issue, we start by looking at popular Nissan turbos.

The importing of a second-hand Japanese original-equipment and aftermarket parts, which has literally boomed during the keen enthusiast some extremely interesting options. Specifically, when it comes to turbochargers. Where selection was very limited (and knowledge base quite small) only a few years ago, these days things have changed dramatically.

Turbocharged performance engines still being the flavour of the month in Japan have ensured that at second-hand import level there is a plethora of turbochargers available to either upgrade your existing turbo engine, or to force induct a normally induct a normally aspirated engine. A good example of applying Japanese original-equipment manufactured turbos to a specific engine is the Workhorse Wake-up twin-turbo Falcon project we recently did. Compared to the cost of an aftermarket turbo, a reconditioned second-hand turbo can make much sense.

You have to be sensible about the whole thing, though. You must realise that matching up a second-hand import turbocharger to your engine is never going to be a substitute for a brand-new, properly matched turbocharger, such as the latest Garrett roller-bearing offerings. The reasons are simple. Most of the OEM units feature ceramic turbine construction, which limits the amount of shaft speed (boost) they can handle before the turbine simply delaminates and fails. For sensible, mild power upgrades, though, a reconditioned factory turbocharger can be quite a good thing.

Many readers won't be surprised that most of the turbos we feature here are of Nissan origin. It's not that they are any better than anything else is; it's just that they are the most plentiful, the cheapest and, in many instances, offer the most performance. Also, being Garrett designed, they are the most serviceable and 'modifiable', from an aftermarket point of view.

While these are not the ONLY turbochargers available from Nissan, they are the most common offerings from importers. From here it's up to you to determine what best suits your application. Think wisely when you purchase and realise that for reliable, trouble-free service the turbo should be reconditioned before it can be used. Ensure you have some idea of how much this will cost before you pay for a turbo.

NB: Thanks to Japanese Motorsport (08) 8260 6929, ATS (08) 9377 2511 and GCG Turbochargers (02) 9708 2122 for the compilation of this data.