Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) BD Twin Turbo

[Jason Griebel]

I have been doing some reading on BD twins and from what I can tell is that it's about a 50/50 split who like them and who don't. I have a BD super B single and would like to upgrade, but was wondering if that is what I should go with. Upgrade would probably be cheaper. Still pretty costly. Does anyone know where to get a good deal. Thanks

 

[AFoulk]

How much power are you planning on making? I think I've heard of someguys making between 500-600hp with them without a problem. I've also heard that they have a bigger set of twins available, but I don't know if theres any truth to that or not, you'd probably have to call BD to make sure.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

Ive never heard anybody say anything bad about the BD twins. The only thing about the standard set is that they really arent for big-time power. Thats the only "bad" part about them.



The new R700 twins is the big set-S300/S400-based (verses two S300-based turbos) and apparently hold bigger power; I know of one set thats near 800 right now. I think hes after more power, so may be getting bigger twins. If your shooting for around 5-600, the standard set would probably be good, although they may get hot closer to 600. Around 800 the R700 would be good.



I havent used either set, but may try the standard on my 03 and possibly the R700 on the 07... thats all a ways away though

 

[SNiebaum]

I'd upgrade to the twins but first you really need to sit down and decide what your ultimate goal is going to be. The 'standard' BD's will support around 600(max) on a 24V... the R700's aren't really out for the 2nd gens yet but can be made to fit on a manual trans truck. There is an issue with the trans cooler on the autos.



The only 'complaint' I've ever heard about the BD's is that the standard set is small and doesn't allow for huge power. They can also get toasty on an overfueled 12V.



I'm perfectly happy with mine. They drive fine at low power levels and will support everything I have to throw at them.

 

[Jason Griebel]

I would like to be able to hit 500hp with a little change. Thanks to a block 53 I resently rebuilt the motor. We studded the head and the mains and put a Cometic head gasket in so boost pressure shouldn't be an issue up to 70psi. The super B single works good no complaints. I make about 38 psi of boost with the edge w/ att. on level 5 but the egt get up to 1350 pretty quick. How much boost does anyone else get out of these? Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I read with a set of twin you get more boost which will lower egt and give you more fuel mileage, and not to mention more power.

 

[SNiebaum]

I would like to be able to hit 500hp with a little change. Thanks to a block 53 I resently rebuilt the motor. We studded the head and the mains and put a Cometic head gasket in so boost pressure shouldn't be an issue up to 70psi. The super B single works good no complaints. I make about 38 psi of boost with the edge w/ att. on level 5 but the egt get up to 1350 pretty quick. How much boost does anyone else get out of these? Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I read with a set of twin you get more boost which will lower egt and give you more fuel mileage, and not to mention more power.

The BD's will support 500hp with no issues. I see over 55psi out of mine right now and my 60psi gauge will be obsolete with my next injector change.



Twins can produce more boost but it's not about boost pressure. You want volume of air. The more cool, dense air you can shove into the cylinders the more power and lower your EGT's will be. Twins will suffer the same issue as a single once you push them past their efficient operating range.

 

[ANelson]

Real Trucks .com has the best pricing that I could find. I was very impressed with their customer service. I plan on installing my upgrade monday. Hope this helps.

 

[Jason Griebel]

SNiebaum what size injectors are running now.

 

[SNiebaum]

SNiebaum what size injectors are running now.

I daily drive my truck with Smarty SW #5 and DD3's(100hp)... when I want to play, I turn on the TSTCE and that's when I can easily hit 57-58psi.

 

[sinkinson1]

jason, what is your setup? I run the super b also & with the adrenaline on 3 I can hit 1400 quick, just curious if you run injectors & what size?

 

[Jason Griebel]

Finally tried to get my signature to work lets see if it works.

 

[BBRam]

The BD Twins have been flawless for me.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I'm very happy with my BD twins. you can upgrade your Super B turbo to either the big S300 series primary turbo "towing" twins for 500+ hp engines, or the S400 based primary turbo of the "big" twins for over 600 HP. Either set uses the Super B as the secondary turbo. I have run both on my 2004. For lower HP like under 500, the towing twins are great and give very very fast sp0ool up for almost no somoke under any conditions. Spool up is only a tiny bit slower with the bigger setup, with a tiny bit more smoke at startup if you really hammer on it. For high power and higher boost levels, the load balance on the two turbos is better with the big S400 primary turbo, meaning each turbo sees about the same pressure ratio. Having run both sets, I would select the towing twins for just that, and for lower horsepower applications. To make over 500 HP and to use high boost a lot, I like the bigger set. On a Third Gen truck, there is just enough clearance for that big primary turbo to the frame and shock tower. Installation of the smaller primary turbo is a little easier, but either set is straightforward, although of course many steps are involved with either set. You do have to "clock" the housings on the S400 after dropping it in, but that is easy because both the compressor and exhaust housings are retained with v-band clamps. The S300 primary turbo can be clocked off the truck and still go into place with the exhaust manifold installed on a Third Generation Turbo diesel. It is probably easiest iwth that turbo to try fit it, remove it, and then tighten the bolts which it uses to retain the housings to the center section. I haven't installed the BD Twins on a Second Generation Ram, but access to components on them is generally better than it is on a Third Gen.



Thus, BD offers two setups, and you can upgrade from the towing twins to the big twins, or to either set of twins from the Super B single turbo. The package seems expensive, but if you add up the values of the components, it is not out of line at all.

 

[SNiebaum]

I haven't installed the BD Twins on a Second Generation Ram, but access to components on them is generally better than it is on a Third Gen.

It's pretty straight forward but I highly recommend to test fit the turbos, clock the housings and get them finger tight, take them out and put a wrench to them... you can tighten them on the truck but it's less than fun to tighten up the cartridge on the bottom turbo when it's on the truck.