Would you buy a used TSS turbo?

[tech77]

Hi I am considering purchasing a used TSS instaboost intercooled turbo. It's the revised system. My engine is ported and has raised compression . I also have a avid driver's and a 153" 3" pitch track coming. Turbos are new to me and would like to make the jump. I have a few questions. If anyone can help me along.

1. Would you buy a used turbo system Roughly 1000 km on the system.
2. What should I be looking for when I pick up the kit? Common issues?
3. I will be using the my Summit for snow drags at lower elevations only. (1000 ft to 4000ft)
4. Is it recommended to buy aftermarket lower compression heads or get the factory heads machined?

 

[jhurkot]

If you're looking to torture yourself, then yes. Mount something to the tunnel that can hold a lot of tools. Prepare to become a journeyman sled mechanic.

 

[Diamondledinc]

ahhhh i'm the perfect member to chime in here.

I bought my turbo with around 250k on it, and saved around 3500$- thought it was a good idea. well, i ended up taking my turbo to TSS and having them install it as it was just too involved. Cutting the tunnel, adding in the U-cooler etc-

This is the headache i went through

1) TSS is a terrible company for support etc- if they even still exist?
2) It ran like complete **** and the installation was crap
3) I had to have it re-tuned by boost it
4) the clutching TSS provided was garbage ( 3 different ramp angles )
5) there are no instructions online how to install the system, and i'm a mechanic! like previous post said, you will be a sled mechanic professional after install.
6) Turbos notoriously have garbage bottom end and might not be the best for sled drags? All my buddies crush me in the lower end, until i'm in boost.

if you really have the turbo bug, buy from a company that has support, will install it and will stand behind their product.
Once you get into boost, it changes snowmobiling 100% and the never ending smiles make all the work worth it.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[Popsiclestand]

Go see Mountain magic in Edmonton. Spend the money for a proper turbo kit with real, knowledgeable support. Is it going to be more money? Absolutely but it will be a top quality install, with a kit that just flat out works. No one will touch you on the snow.

 

[skegpro]

Don't do it.
Your riding buddies will hate you.

 

[treeboy]

We called them Totally Sucks Shi.t for a reason... Maybe better now from the last stuff of theirs I have seen.

 

[tech77]

Thank you for the replys. I decided to not add the turbo from TSS. I am a Journeymen Tech so I thought it would be no problem to install. I really want a turbo. I just can't afford a new one lol. I don't mind tinkering when I can. I just don't want a bunch of down time lol.

 

[Mach1]

Thank you for the replys. I decided to not add the turbo from TSS. I am a Journeymen Tech so I thought it would be no problem to install. I really want a turbo. I just can't afford a new one lol. I don't mind tinkering when I can. I just don't want a bunch of down time lol.

Well good job, I had a dealing with them and never again. Thank god it wasn't over thousands $$$$$ like some. It was on a used sled I bought from there friend and ya they will ffffff when ever they can....good call.

 

[skegpro]

Thank you for the replys. I decided to not add the turbo from TSS. I am a Journeymen Tech so I thought it would be no problem to install. I really want a turbo. I just can't afford a new one lol. I don't mind tinkering when I can. I just don't want a bunch of down time lol.

What were they asking for the kit?

 

[tech77]

What were they asking for the kit?

$3300 complete.

 

[skegpro]

$3300 complete.

Well what you could do is talk to Dave at redline. I know he has fixed a tone of those TSS kits with his fuel box. $600

But by the time you do that his kits are $5k brand new........

 

[skegpro]

I wouldn't pay more than $1200 for that TSS kit... Imo

 

[bayman]

Well what you could do is talk to Dave at redline. I know he has fixed a tone of those TSS kits with his fuel box. $600

But by the time you do that his kits are $5k brand new........

Dave's kits are north of $5k...I am running one myself, but his customer service is second to none. I bought a pipe and tunnel dump exhaust from the other guys, wouldn't do it again.

 

[The Kickass One]

Dave's kits are north of $5k...I am running one myself, but his customer service is second to none. I bought a pipe and tunnel dump exhaust from the other guys, wouldn't do it again.

I've had decent luck with the TSS kits I've bought used, but the no service, no replies from Total ****ty Service was nothing short of arrogant!! They come across like the nicest guys in the world face to face, but my experience says they are 2-faced... Best thing that happened to Canadian peeps that tried to support them is that TSS went out or should be out and stay out of business!!

 

[deaner]

I found Dave really nice when I called with questions.

Im guessing what happened is the kits that were out there started to get some age on them and guys started having issues. Then you get cheap arseholes like me who probably shouldnt own a turbo buying cheap used ones and still expecting to call them for free advice. It sounds like the instaboost kit was a legitimate fail. Throw all those things together and I can see where you could get overwhelmed and stop answering the phone. Not saying its cool, but I can see their point of view.

 

[tech77]

I found Dave really nice when I called with questions.

Im guessing what happened is the kits that were out there started to get some age on them and guys started having issues. Then you get cheap arseholes like me who probably shouldnt own a turbo buying cheap used ones and still expecting to call them for free advice. It sounds like the instaboost kit was a legitimate fail. Throw all those things together and I can see where you could get overwhelmed and stop answering the phone. Not saying its cool, but I can see their point of view.

I did call TSS. He helped me out. I just had some questions about low elevation drag racing with his turbo kits. Besides the Turbo, what else wears out? How long does the actual turbo last? I also called Boost it. Boost it has exactly what I need. He can modify an existing kit or sell a complete kit. Just a little out of my reach right now.

 

[bendy]

I heard Boost-It shut theirs doors in October??

 

[tech77]

I heard Boost-It shut theirs doors in October??

Sorry I called Redline, not Boost it. I had Boost it written down but called Redline lol

 

[skegpro]

I did call TSS. He helped me out. I just had some questions about low elevation drag racing with his turbo kits. Besides the Turbo, what else wears out? How long does the actual turbo last? I also called Boost it. Boost it has exactly what I need. He can modify an existing kit or sell a complete kit. Just a little out of my reach right now.

Kit will outlast the sled IMO

 

[jvb]

I hadn't had much time around there instaboost kit until this last year. I was a little skeptical from what I had been hearing. Those guys there have always treated me well and have one of there 1200 kits and it still runs great( probably 7-8 years old). My buddy ended up buying entire sled with the instaboost kit. Thing ripped all year last year and he literally never touched a thing. My 850 wasn't even close. This is the only one I have been around much, but based off what I have seen with his changed my view of it. Its the oiless turbo that everyone was having problems with as well. He was running 5-6lbs on straight av gas. Think he was lying one day in particular though :d. The install does look a little labor intensive!