Unfortunately, it seems as though my turbo has decided it doesn't like me anymore.
The car is still driving fine, blowing a small amount of smoke, but after turning the engine off you can very clearly hear the bearings as it spins down.
It's a CT26 thats been high-flowed and replaced with ball bearings. i've been told its a "GT30" compressor wheel. which, judging by its size... could well be!
the compressor housing has been bored out a LOT.
Not EXACTLY like this, but very similar. close to 55-60mm (measured it a few years ago)
 
 
I've come across a few options/possibilities.
I'm a student (this year), and of course don't have much cash to splurge with (for multiple reasons)
I also have a spare STOCK CT26 (17201-74020 from a GT4) that has a fair bit of axial play. (in-out)
most work would be done myself, except for balancing if that is required.
 
1. buy a full CHRA cartridge for the stock CT26 off ebay for about $250-$380. (depending on quality i'm guessing)
Kinugawa turbo core - ebay
Cheaper core - ebay

Queensland based CHRA 
 
2. buy a full replacement CT26 second-hand.... possible costing up to $500 which would still leave me unsure about it's condition.
 
3. get the current turbo rebuilt and keep the high-flow (who knows how much that would cost, and would leave me without a car for weeks)
 
4. buy the rebuild kit off ebay, take it in to get balanced. could still be $400+
 
A few more considerations:
i'd rather not go so far back to stock because obviously it's been quite nice having the modified turbo 
This turbo has modified feed lines/drain lines. I haven't quite looked into the specifics, but the oil feed is a speedflow fitting in the top, and the oil drain has been changed a bit. so i'd need to make sure that fits.

Has anyone played around with CHRA's before?
 

there's a guy over here in WA that does rebuilds and hiflows. he doesn't use over sized comp wheels. i think $600 for a basic rebuild, and 1200 for something like this (this is single entry ct26 for 7m/landcruiser or gen1 3sgte)

I once had a CT26 rebuilt and high flowed when it failed. Cost was over 1K
 
Gorilla industries have used CT20Bs available at the moment I think. Just pop one of them in?

actually, yeh +1 for ct20b. best imho for unopened gen2 3sgte with relatively mild mods.

I'm hoping for no more than $400 though. even then, it's still much more than i really should spend.

ultimately, i'm leaning towards the CHRA option. a CT20b (unless under $400!) is out of the question.
Does anybody have any thoughts/concerns/opinions on the CHRA option?
I understand the risk involved with ebay purchases, but the QLD based option may still provide me enough warranty/security. 

I've got 2 ct20b, one is in your budget but is history unknown so sold as is for $200.

^how much shaft play? 

Wanting to increase my knowledge, given the turbo wasnt an ADM car how much do these turbos cost brand new ?

which ones?

CT26 from Toyota - about $3,600
CT26 from ebay - about $800
CT26 from QLD - about $775
CT20b - normally a bit more.

just the cartridge - between $250 and $550
the cartridge or CHRA is everything between the two wheels
 

**** a brick seriously $3,600 from Toyota ? man thats illogical its dear than a whole E153 GEAR BOX.
 
So why is it cheaper in QLD , rebuilt units ?