Garrett Stage 2 Powermax™ Turbocharger for IS38 MQB EA888 Gen3 898200-5001W (upto 600 HP)

Garrett Stage 2 PowerMax Turbocharger for IS38 MQB EA888 Gen3 (898200-5001W) – up to 600 HP

The Garrett Stage 2 PowerMax is a genuine, direct-fit turbocharger upgrade designed to replace the factory IS38 unit on the EA888 Gen3 1.8 and 2.0 TSI engines. Built around Garrett’s proven G25-660 core, it delivers up to 600 flywheel horsepower with the correct supporting modifications and calibration, while bolting straight onto OEM mounting points for a clean, factory-style installation.

As an authorised Garrett retailer, we supply this turbocharger as a complete assembly with all the ancillary components required for OE fitment. It’s a true engineered upgrade, not a hybrid or reworked OEM housing, so every part is purpose-built for higher airflow, higher temperatures and sustained performance.

What This Turbo Does for Your Car

Compared to the stock IS38 fitted to cars like the Golf R, the PowerMax offers around 59% more airflow. In plain terms, more air into the engine means more power potential, stronger mid-range pull and better top-end performance, provided the rest of the engine is set up to match. The G-Series compressor wheel aerodynamics are tuned for high horsepower output, while the modern turbine wheel design helps the turbo spool responsively despite the larger size.

Because the unit retains OEM mounting and uses a calibrated electric actuator, it works correctly with the factory ECU communication, making tuning and integration much more straightforward than with non-direct-fit options.

Vehicle Fitment

This turbocharger fits popular VW Group MQB platform cars running the 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI EA888 Gen3 engine, including:

• Volkswagen Golf 7 / 7.5 GTI and R, Polo GTI 6C
• Audi S3 8V, TT / TTS 8S
• SEAT Leon Cupra and FR, Skoda Octavia vRS

Please use the vehicle lookup on the Racingline Shop or check the Vehicle Fitment tab to confirm compatibility with your specific car.

Key Features

• Direct-fit Stage 2 upgrade with calibrated electric actuator
• Up to 600 flywheel horsepower capability (on-vehicle)
• +59% airflow over the stock IS38 turbo
• G-Series compressor wheel aerodynamics
• MAR-M alloy turbine wheel rated to 1050°C
• Stainless steel turbine housing rated to 1050°C
• Dual ceramic ball bearing cartridge for reduced friction and faster spool
• Twin piston ring sealing at both compressor and turbine ends
• Fully machined speed sensor port
• Reverse rotation, max turbo speed 165,000 rpm

Smart Design Details

The compressor housing is built to work with common aftermarket tuning hardware. Electric Turbosmart blow-off valves can be mounted to the dedicated ports with no modification, and the matched inlet makes fitting aftermarket intake systems straightforward. On the hot side, the exhaust housing is shaped for optimised gas flow and is compatible with all common downpipes, so existing exhaust hardware can usually be reused.

One particularly useful benefit: because this is a complete bolt-on unit, your original IS38 can be retained and refitted at any time, returning the car to factory specification quickly if needed – useful for warranty work, resale or servicing.

Technical Specifications

Important Safety Information

Maximum allowable turbocharger speed is 165,000 rpm (Stage 2). Operating the turbocharger above this speed is at the owner’s risk and can cause damage and premature failure.

To protect the turbo from overspeed, a speed sensor port is machined into the compressor housing. Garrett speed sensors are available under part numbers 781328-0003 (sensor and gauge) and 781328-0004 (sensor only). Speed sensors are sold separately and we strongly recommend fitting one when running this turbocharger at higher power levels.

This turbocharger requires expert engine calibration and tuning to realise its full potential safely. Supporting modifications such as fuelling, intercooling and exhaust upgrades should be considered as part of any high-power build.

Applications

Please note, customers are wholly responsible for checking fitment for their vehicle.