After much anticipation, I finally got my hands on a brand new TD05 18G hybrid turbo for my Proton Satria! This setup is something I’ve been dreaming about for a while, and now it’s finally in the works.
So what exactly is a TD05 18G hybrid? In simple terms:
- Compressor side = TD05 18G
- Turbine side = TD04
- It comes with an internal wastegate, which is a big win for my budget — no need to spend more on an external wastegate or the welding work needed to install one on the manifold.
Fitment Research: The Good and the Missed
Before purchasing, I did the usual checks:
- Turbo flange compatibility: ✅ Bolt-on fit to my existing exhaust manifold
- Compressor side clearance: ✅ Room between the thicker aftermarket radiator and the engine
- Compressor piping: ✅ Should route cleanly to my existing intercooler
Sounds like a clean install, right?
Well… not exactly. 😅
What I Forgot – The Downpipe Flange
One thing I completely overlooked was the turbine downpipe flange.
For those not familiar, the downpipe flange connects the turbo to the rest of your exhaust system. Since I’m using a turbo with an internal wastegate, the flange needs to accommodate two outlets — one for the turbine and one for the wastegate.
At this point, I had two options:
- Option A: Merge both turbine and wastegate outlets into one exhaust path — cleaner sound, standard setup
- Option B: Custom pipe the wastegate to vent separately — a bit more “fierce” in sound and might give a tiny performance edge, depending who you ask
Since the turbine flange doesn’t match my current downpipe, I had to go searching. Luckily, I found a flange that looks like it’ll fit the new turbo — though I say “looks like” because the turbo is already at the workshop and I haven’t done a test-fit yet.
What’s Next?
- Test-fit the new flange
- If it works, move ahead with the installation
- If not, time to fabricate or source a custom downpipe
- Get the turbo properly tuned and tested
Final Thoughts
Turbo upgrades are always full of surprises — even with research, you can still miss some small but important things like flange compatibility. That said, I’m super excited to see how the TD05 18G hybrid performs once everything is bolted in and tuned up. Fingers crossed for smooth progress!
