Lets talk hybrids

[vRSAlex]

I have a K04 hybrid on the vRS.  Check out the build thread for more info. 

Alex have you had it on the dyno yet?

Not yet.  The nearest dyno dynamics rr is miles away and I've not had 5 mins spare.

[Russ_leeds]

yeah the link is working today, but it wouldnt the other day 
So what can the k03 internals handle safely? Is it pushing them too hard with the k04 upgrade?
cheers

[vRSAlex]

yeah the link is working today, but it wouldnt the other day 
So what can the k03 internals handle safely? Is it pushing them too hard with the k04 upgrade?
cheers

Well I think you are right on the limit with a k04 bolted to a k03s engined car.  Plenty of cars are fine though and it all depends on how hard you push it.

They seem to be able to handle around the 350 bhp mark ok, but its that one boost spike that will bend a rod, and you don't always know its bent until the engine gets pulled apart.  Still drives ok with a slightly bent rod.  If it bends too much then the oil jet snaps off and causes a fair amount of damage.

[Russ_leeds]

so roughly how much would it cost to have stronger conrods and pistons?
cheers for the info its something i want to do, working up to stage 2+ at the min, nearly there with the supporting mods then when its mapped 

[vRSAlex]

so roughly how much would it cost to have stronger conrods and pistons?
cheers for the info its something i want to do, working up to stage 2+ at the min, nearly there with the supporting mods then when its mapped 

Pistons are fine.  Good for well over 400bhp.

Rods are around £300 plus the fitting cost of around 2 days labour.

Also factor in big end bearings, head gasket, ARP head studs, head skim, inlet valve and port strip and clean and some coolant 

[TT-Turbo]

Was just thinking about the whole K03 hybrid and why can't you change internals and machine various parts of the housing for them to fit? If you can refurb the turbo (which you can) then why can't you change them to something else?

[bacillus]

You can hybridize a k03 as I know a guy in Austria who has done it. Didn't ask where he had it done though.

[gazon69]

The ko3 turbo can not be hybrid according to Turbo dynamics and turbo techniks. They said the internals on the ko3 are forged and they couldnt supply suitable parts to make a hybrid.

so how come these guys are saying this?

[TT-Turbo]

That's what I was thinking.

Maybe since they said "suitable parts" as a replacement maybe it's a fitment issue as the K03 housing is smaller. Not sure but if someone has done a hybrid k03 then that's proof in the pudding really!

[yin]

This is a ko3 rod pushed to 400bhp levels

[vRSAlex]

The k03 manifold is also much skinnier than the k04 mani.

The only k03 hybrid that I have seen was made by ABT for the xbow.  It used the k04 mani, chra, and the k03 compressor housing.  They called it a 300bhp kit but it always made 260!

Cost vs power wise its best to go straight to a k04.

[gazon69]

How did they only manage to get that sort of power. That was with no other mods surely. If so i reckon thats pretty impressive taking into account the gti runs 200hp. With other mods like exhaust, intake, hpfp it would surely be well over 300hp, shouldn't it

[nezquick]

The k03 manifold is also much skinnier than the k04 mani.

The only k03 hybrid that I have seen was made by ABT for the xbow.  It used the k04 mani, chra, and the k03 compressor housing.  They called it a 300bhp kit but it always made 260!

Cost vs power wise its best to go straight to a k04.

After more research Im starting to agree with your last comment. k04 is probably the best route.. although it is always going to be a bit of an attention seeker at shows if you say "mine has a hybrid k03/04" especially when people don't know what that is..