03 HE341 Rebuild questions and parts sourcing.

[Darkbloodmon]

Truck reference : 218K 03 HO 5.9 NV5600, stock turbo, no tuning.

Stock turbo on the truck (HE341) is going to be clocking out soon as the comp. wheel is playing Bob Ross with happy little nicks on the inlet housing. It's audible enough to hear from inside the cab as it spools down and shudders from the play.

Just got a used HE341 tore apart today off an 04 from Indiana and it needs just about as much work as the one about to come out but it was expected for the price. It needs a rebuild kit, turbine shaft and a comp wheel.

The question being where can I find a decent turbine shaft and comp wheel? I see there are multiple sites willing to sell you the latest and greatest billet wheel but a lot, i'm finding don't offer shafts. Quick surface level searching is pushing me towards ebay which i'm weary of.

I will potentially need a new waste gate actuator as the one off the used turbo from Indiana had a mounting stud break off from the corrosion and I'm expecting to see the same kind of corrosion as my truck did some time in Alaska and Washington state before it got to me in North Carolina; Suggestions?

I'm considering a "better" exhaust wheel/shaft and comp. wheel so long as they don't absolutely require tuning. It's a daily driven truck in a metro/suburb. It's got stock guts and I'm not racing or chasing horses. If it's an improvement over the stock design and or more robust i'm all ears.

I apologize if this topic is categorized as Engine/transmission it had me on the fence where to put it. Thank you in advanced.

 

[Ozymandias]

If your turbine wheel already touches the compressor housing then the whole unit is trash.
That housing needs to be smooth as silk.

It's best to buy a remanufactured unit from a good vendor, rebuild a turbo yourself without proper equipment and knowledge can go wrong and end up with a new engine.

Just my2ct.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

If your turbine wheel already touches the compressor housing then the whole unit is trash.
That housing needs to be smooth as silk.

It's best to buy a remanufactured unit from a good vendor, rebuild a turbo yourself without proper equipment and knowledge can go wrong and end up with a new engine.

Just my2ct.

Noted, do you have any recommendations for wheels and waste-gates?

 

[Ozymandias]

Noted, do you have any recommendations for wheels and waste-gates?

Nope, but we have Members that will give you that information once they see that thread.
Rebuild only or upgrade is a whole different story.
For example, upgrading the turbo onlymakes sense when you are using a tuner too, without you gain absolutely nothing on an electronically controlled engine.
And you mention you don't want to go that way, so a standard stock replacement is the way to go, the stocker is a proven lasting good unit.
What kills them is CAIs together with insufficent aftermarket airfilters.

 

[cerberusiam]

If you can find one an HE351 is good upgrade for a stock 03 and fueling. With a boost elbow you can push them up to 35-37 psi when needed with no issues.

HE341 is comparable to the old HY-35, fine for detuned motors but still walking that emissions line, short of air if you want to optimize stock tuning.

I would not waste time with the HE341 rebuilding it, there are much better turbos out there for sometimes less than upgrading what you have.

 

[JKosten]

I have bought/installed parts from http://turbolabofamerica.com/ and have not had any problems. They may be other vendors out there.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

Thanks for the responses, I decided after giving Turbo Re-Source a call out in Lake Havasu AZ to just rebuild the HE341. I've done a good bit to this truck since I've had it for a year I think i just need to slow down and keep taking baby steps with it as I clean her up.

I was quoted 650 plus shipping for the whole rebuild which is not bad in my book as I was looking at a Stealth 64 prior to giving TR a call. I need to get my ducks in a row first and keep this truck on the road before I start messing around.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

Follow up post with pictures.

Total after return shipping to me was 712.00 bones and I'm very happy with the quality of work that I got. (it was immaculate upon return, I could eat off of it) She's a screamer like never before. I took the time to source a new slightly used stock manifold and have it ceramic coated and drilled for an EGT probe, I also had the hot side of the turbo ceramic coated and the cold side powdered coated flat black. HM Elliot performance coatings out in Mooresville took care of all the painting and I'm happy with the work. I took the time to stud the manifold with stainless steel hardware to make it easier if I switch setups in the future. All the old manifold bolts came out perfectly with nothing broken or corroded to all hell.

After some time on this turbo post install I can see why people choose better setups, I may be partial because I'm spooling faster keeping more heat in the system but nearing the stock fuel cut off I loose guts and this turbo is screaming something fierce. Keep in mind my truck is on stock mapping with BBI .1s.

For those looking at the K/N intake, It was on there when I got it I just added the heat tape and an Amsoil cone filter and dry prefilter, I am looking for a stock box as Amsoil discontinued that cone filter but it's not a huge priority at the moment. If anyone needs any details on the install or part numbers shoot me a message.