Element Tuning GT52 Turbo
With many turbo choices out there, Subaru owners are fortunate to have such a wide variety of sizes and power ratings available to them. However, with so many different names and numbers flying around, it’s easy to be confused as to what turbo works best. In the near future, we’ll have a post on choosing the best turbo to suit your needs, but this time around we’d like to highlight our best-selling turbo for 04+ STI owners: the Element Tuning GT52.
Unlike many other turbos out there that start relatively inexpensive, and then allow you to do your own customization in terms of housings, compressor wheels, porting, and polishing, Phil over at Element Tuning decided to do away with all the guesswork and actually create a turbo design that maximizes all possible potential given its size. Months of research and development went into the ultimate design of the GT52 turbo (as well as its smaller sister, the GT49 turbo). The final product ended up becoming our best-selling turbo, with countless happy customers both nationwide and internationally. Here’s how Phil himself describes the GT52 turbo:
This turbocharger is very similar to many other 7cm TD06 20G framed bolt-ons but that’s where the comparison ends. In this particular turbocharger we use a Garret GT30R 52 lbs compressor wheel, Garrett turbine wheel and shaft. The compressor is a GT30R rated at 52 lbs utilizing an internal wastegate.
Typically we see 20 psi by 3600-3800 rpm tuning with the Hydra with pump gas power in the 375-400 whp range. Both housings are completely ported for increased flow and wastegate performance. Race gas power is in the 475-500whp range.
Expect to achieve full boost with the proper modifications and a quality tune between 3500-4000rpms. Fuel upgrades for this turbocharger and proper engine management are required.The Element GT52 has been recently updated to increase internal wastegate performance. Increased port work, larger wastegate port, and a larger wastegate valve has been utilized to ensure boost creep free performance.
Element GT bolt-on turbochargers include extensive porting of the turbine housing inlet, outlet, and wastegate passages. The wastegate passage is also enlarged and the turbine wheel modified to improve internal wastegate performance and creep free running.
All Element GT bolt on turbochargers are water cooled and come complete with water lines and an OEM oil drain line so installation is a direct bolt-on.
In our personal experience, we have been able to confirm all of Phil’s advertised numbers. This turbo does indeed hit about 20 psi by 3600 rpm and Patrick’s 07 STI hit 475 whp on race gas, which is well within the range that Phil described for horsepower numbers. Thanks to this turbo’s consistency and good availability, the GT52 has become our go-to turbo for any STI owner who wants a good balance of street power and track dominance. Since this turbo is a direct bolt-on, no extra piping or modification is required, although we do recommend replacing the turbo inlet pipe and switching to a Big MAF style intake. We also recommend Element Tuning’s stainless steel oil feed line for best results and to keep the turbo healthy.
You can purchase the Element Tuning GT52 Turbo for $1899 including shipping by clicking here.
