BorgWarner's EFR range has a following in New Zealand for one reason. They spool like a much smaller turbo and still pull at the top, which is exactly what a road car that sees the odd track day needs. The catch is that the range is a bit harder to shop than most, because the turbine housing is half the decision and it is easy to buy the wrong one.
The short answer
- The EFR7670 is the all rounder for a big four or a mild six that has to be driveable.
- The EFR8374 is the one most 3.0L six builds should be looking at first.
- Step to the EFR8474 or EFR9180 when the engine and fuel system are already built for big power.
- Pick the turbine housing at the same time. T3 single entry with the internal gate keeps it simple, T4 divided with an external gate holds boost properly when the power climbs.
What makes an EFR different
The EFR range is built around a ball bearing centre section and a light titanium aluminide turbine wheel. That combination is why they respond the way they do, and it is the main reason people pay the difference over a journal bearing turbo.
The four digit number describes the compressor and turbine package. An 8374 is a larger unit than a 7670, and a 9180 is larger again. Frame size sets your airflow ceiling. It does not set how the car feels, which is the job of the turbine housing.
Housings come in two useful flavours. A T3 single entry housing with an internal gate, such as the .83 A/R housing that suits the 8374, 8474 and 9174, keeps the install simple and runs off an EFR actuator. A T4 divided housing with an external gate, like the 1.05 A/R version or the larger 1.45 A/R, needs a separate wastegate on the manifold and gives you proper control at higher boost.
Because those housings are shared across several frames, you can change the character of the car without changing the turbo. That is worth knowing before you order.
Picking the right frame for your build
EFR7670: the all rounder
This is the one we point most people at when the car is a road car first. The EFR7670 in T3 with a .83 A/R is the responsive setup for a 2.0L to 2.5L four or a mild six. If the engine revs out and you want the top end, the T4 .92 A/R version or the 1.05 A/R gives it back. All three, plus the actuators and clamps, sit in the EFR7670 range.
EFR8374: the one most sixes want
For a 2JZ, 1JZ or RB that has to behave on the street and still make real power, this is the frame. The EFR8374 T3 .83 A/R is the driveable option and the T4 .92 A/R leans towards the top end. Everything for it, including the shared housings, is in the EFR8374 range.
EFR8474 and EFR9180: when the build is already serious
Go up here only when the bottom end, the fuel system and the tuner are all sorted. The EFR8474 in T4 1.05 A/R is a big step in capacity, and BorgWarner offer the core on its own as an iron super core or an aluminium super core if you already have housings.
The 9180 is the top of the EFR range. The T3 .83 A/R still surprises people with how early it comes in for its size, while the T4 1.05 A/R is the one for a car built to make power at the top. The EFR9180 range has the housings and hardware.
When Airwerks makes more sense
Not every build needs a ball bearing race turbo. The Airwerks S200, S300 and S400 range is the more traditional option, sold as cores and turbine housings you pair yourself. An S300SX 63/68 with a .88 A/R suits a big power six on a budget, and the SX-E cores such as the 61/68mm or 66/73mm let you build exactly what you want. For very large engines, the S400SX housing in 1.10 A/R T4 divided is the sort of thing you end up ordering.
| If you want | Go for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A road car that still feels quick everywhere | EFR7670, T3 .83 A/R | Early response with enough top end for a club day |
| A 3.0L six doing everything | EFR8374 | The best balance in the range for that engine size |
| Serious power with the build to back it | EFR8474 or EFR9180 | Frame capacity for the airflow, external gate control |
| Big power for less, response second | Airwerks S300SX or S400SX | Journal bearing, mix and match cores and housings |
What to buy with it
The EFR installation kit covers the fittings and gaskets for plumbing the turbo, which saves a second order two days later. The turbine inlet clamp, turbine outlet flange and outlet clamp are the pieces people forget until the exhaust shop asks for them.
If you run an internally gated housing you need the right actuator and bracket. We stock low, medium and high boost EFR actuators, with the bracket for the 7064 and 7670 and the bracket for the 8374, 9174 and 9180. Externally gated housings need a wastegate instead, so read our external wastegate sizing guide before ordering.
The EFR speed sensor kit is optional. On a car that gets used hard it is money well spent, because your tuner can see how close the wheel is to its limit rather than reading it off a boost trace.
Where NZ Performance fits
We carry the BorgWarner range in Palmerston North, including EFR turbos, Airwerks cores, housings, actuators and the install hardware, so a build does not sit half finished waiting on freight. The BorgWarner hub page is the fastest way to see what the range covers.
Comparing brands before you commit? Our Garrett G Series sizing guide walks through the other side of that decision. And if you have been offered a cheap EFR from an overseas seller, eBay turbos versus genuine is worth five minutes of your time first.
FAQ
What does the EFR number mean?
The four digit code describes the compressor and turbine wheel package, so an EFR8374 is a bigger unit than an EFR7670 and the 9180 is bigger again. Frame size sets the airflow ceiling. The turbine housing you bolt to it sets how the car drives on the way there.
Which EFR turbo suits a 2JZ or RB?
The EFR8374 is the common choice for a 3.0L six that has to be driveable and still make serious power. The EFR7670 suits a milder six or a big four, and the EFR9180 is for builds where the top end matters more than response. Match the turbine housing A/R to how you actually use the car.
Do EFR turbos need an external wastegate?
It depends on the housing. The T3 single entry internally gated housings run off the EFR actuator and need no separate gate. The T4 divided externally gated housings need a wastegate on the manifold, which is the better option once boost and power climb.
What is the difference between EFR and Airwerks?
EFR is the ball bearing race range with the light turbine wheel and quick response. Airwerks S300SX and S400SX are the traditional journal bearing turbos, sold as cores and housings you match yourself. They suit big power builds where response is not the first priority.
Do I need the installation kit and speed sensor?
The installation kit covers the fittings and gaskets to plumb the turbo properly, so it saves you a second order. The speed sensor kit is optional but worth it on a hard used car, because it lets your tuner see how close the wheel is to its limit instead of guessing.
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