Background:
While operating with the Mabotech M520 turbocharger, it became evident that the various intakes I was using (APR PEX, Racingline R600, Blaze ATOM, and Stock GTI) were not holding back the turbocharger’s performance.
I mentioned to Mabotech that I thought I would need a larger turbocharger to see any benefit from the intake design I have been working on (shown below).
They offered to sell me a prototype turbocharger they’ve been developing, designated the M720, which can support a custom inlet to the compressor.
The Swap:
After wrapping up testing with the M520 I set about swapping turbochargers.
The M520 (L) and M720 (R) are shown below.
The M720 eliminates the turbo muffler and has a 64 mm outlet. Luckily, I still have the ARM Motorsports charge pipe kit on the car from testing with the ARM intercoolers, because the ARM TMD outlet is 64 mm, and the aFe Power charge pipe that I usually use fits to aFe’s 61 mm TMD.
The downside to using the ARM hotside charge pipe instead of aFe Power is that the aFe has an NPT bung that I use for the Mk8 PCV Suction Jet Pump line.
Without the ARM charge pipe I need to relocate the Mk8 line over to the cold side charge pipe, which is just about as far as the Goodridge PTFE SS line will reach for connecting to the Mk8 PCV hose.
Installation:
Installing the M720 is straight forward as it reuses the OEM oil and coolant lines, along with the stock IS38 wastegate actuator.
The prototype M720 was supplied with a 3.5″ inlet elbow, that the MST Performance turbo inlet hose just squeezes over.
The turbine housing inlet is lightly ported, and the housing features a heat shield that encases it.
Next:
The next step is to check how well the M720 functions with the Russell Road & Racing M520 tune.
References:
No link is provided for information about the Mabotech M720 turbocharger because this product is currently in development.