We just replaced a turbo this week after what appears to be 1600 hour of service. By the logbooks, it was part of the original overhauled engine when installed.
We just happened to speak with Gary Main also in our review process. Boy he was professional, helpful, and knowledgeable. Price from Air Power was ~$8,100, with $650 core charge. Took 5 days. Gary's shop did not have any avail at the time, but he said they generally have a few on the shelf ready.
We started to feel asymmetrical thrust on takeoff requiring a slight need for heavy right-steering (and even a shameful toe-tap breaking) on takeoff for the first ~200 feet. However, the MP gauge did not display a difference on takeoff, although with eyes on runway it could be difficult to catch a temporary lag, maybe.
We then noticed the turbo ran out of breath at 10,500, (29' MP) while the other engine was still ready and able to produce much more.
We inspected, and although likely an inexact science, the turbine blades/rotor would rotate with the push of a finger, but it took effort and stopped immediately when not being pushed. That is, it did not free-spin at al, zip.
All that data combined, we just fully replaced and thanked it for its many hours of service.
