Pics posted below.

I found a used Vortech with aprox 10k on it. Everything looks to be in order except the leading vane edges of the intake side of the turbine. Some of the leading edges look chopped. It does not look like anything hit the vanes, (I work with precision vane assemblies all the time on small jet turbine engines, I know what that looks like).

What it looks like is the leading edge is degrading or falling apart, or that the turbine casting has deformations/ bubbles/ pockets in the leading edge.
When I asked the individual selling the kit about it, he said that he's seen that on several kits, except a Comptech kit that had only a couple thousand miles on it.

These deformations are big enough to catch your fingernails on, and some look like the vane is cracked. I checked to see if they were actual cracks, and it appears that they are NOT cracks. Other leading edges have little hangers of metal, and others still just have a really rough edge.

Have any of you ran into this before? Is this a normal occurance? I just can't see the turbine (especially from a supercharger) running so hot that the blades begin to degrade. What I'm worried about is that small little pieces might break off and wind up in the engine. If I polish the edges smooth, I may throw off the delicate ballance of the turbine, therefore ruining it.

PICS POSTED BELOW

Just looking for some help to make an educated decision.

Thanks

 

This is new, just out of the factory:



We need pictures to determine exactly what you are describing.

 

Updated, See pics below.

 

Detailed pics of the impellar.
You can see quite clearly that a file was taken to one of the vanes, HOWEVER, it retained a factory media blasted finish, so I can only assume that it came from the factory in this condition. You can also see what I was talking about in the original post with regard to the hangers, apparent cracks, and deformations in the casting's leading edges. It does not look like something was hitting it. That would leave shiny areas with minor dents. This looks like pitts, bubbles, and globs.
What I was wondering is if others have had this experience with their SC kits.

 

Those look like casting marks. It should work fine.

 

be a man and sharpen those blades by hand to a razor's edge

 

Looks like it's a really lousy casting if you ask me . . . Too many air pockets on the leading edge. That's gonna tear up the air. It doesn't take much to ruin good aerodynamic flow. Marks like that on our vane assemblies would result in a one way frisby throw into the scrrap bin.

Thanks for the insight. I'm gonna try and dig into this a little further.

 

Made in the USA. LOL
Dont play with it though, it will mess up the balance.

 

No material removal will occur by my paws. It'll either be Vortech or whoever buys the kit . . . which at that point is no longer something I need to worry about.

Remember I don't own the kit yet. I just don't want little chunks of metal ending up in my engine.

 

Def looks like some crappy casting.