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"Bomber Lite" 3G Turbo

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Vaughn MacKenzie

TDR MEMBER
There may be a new 3Gen turbo option on the horizon, aimed to fill the void between stock and high-end turbos.



Most of the turbos available cater to the Big Bomber, such as the HX40, DD's new turbo, Kwik's B1 or twins which cost well over a grand and are a big step above the stock turbo. I do understand Kurt offers smaller turbos for significantly less and can be set up for a direct boltup without downpipe changes.



But what about the guys happy with their EZ box or DD injectors who may be pushing the EGT safety envelope yet don't really want to spend the bucks for the Big Huffer? With "bombers on a budget" in mind, Piers mocked up a mostly-stock unit which he sent to me for testing. I tried it for a couple days then passed it on to another Northwest Bomber member, Byron Haner, to try as well (being I don't have gauges and he does). Running my Bully Box in Level 1 this turbo spools very close to the stock unit, but you can feel a power improvement starting around low 2000s RPM and from there my truck pulled considerably stronger through redline. There is quite a bit less power falloff past 3000 RPM and therefore the power is not quite as peaky. When I switch the box off there is still noticeable improvement in midrange and upper-end power and excellent spoolup still.



Byron put the turbo on yesterday and noticed his 4x4 quadcab longbed with EZ box at Level 6 maxed out around 1250F preturbo whereas he could push the stocker past 1500F. So off the top there is a 250F improvement in max EGTs. I am going to be in touch with Byron and find out how cruising EGTs compare. He noticed improved midrange & upper end power as well.



This turbo looks totally stock since Piers used the original housings. This one sported a new compressor pinwheel, some machining where it counts, and beefed-up bearing. I think this will be a great affordable option for those running only a box or only injectors, those who want a fast-spooling turbo, improved midrange/upper end, or a turbo for towing. The stock appearance should help with warranty concerns, makes it an easy as 1-2-3 swapout, and hopefully will put it in the ballpark of the PDR35 in terms of pricing. We'll see.



Stay tuned . . . :)



Vaughn



ps Byron I want my turbo back!!! :{
 
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Vaughn. . thanks for the update. . wish I could have tried it along with a box over the weekend, thats what I get for missing THE bomb party of the year.



I'm hoping to get a box this spring (what kind I'm not sure of as yet). maybe the Piers modified turbo should be first on my long list of wants.
 
thanks...

Vaughn... . thanks for the update. I'm one of those with "champagne taste but a beer budget" kinda guys, so i'm always on the lookout for good bang for my buck. Keep us posted.
 
:D

I should have some numbers to post on Monday. I am going up to visit Piers this weekend. The EGT's I am getting while cruising are a little high. We think it is a boost leak. Even with the leak this turbo is awesome. :cool: It spools much faster above about 1750 than the stock turbo did. It will put ya right back in the seat. . all the way to red line. It is very hard for me to drive the speed limit when it's so much fun to spool it up... :D



lol Vaughn... I think I am going to need a support group for the first week or so after I take this thing off... . :rolleyes: :cool:
 
LOL Byron. . . . I already need one! It hasn't been too bad though since I haven't had my truck over 45mph since I got home Sunday.



Did you use the new gasket between the manifold and turbo?



Vaughn
 
Originally posted by Vaughn MacKenzie

LOL Byron. . . . I already need one! It hasn't been too bad though since I haven't had my truck over 45mph since I got home Sunday.



Did you use the new gasket between the manifold and turbo?



Vaughn



Yeah, we used the new one, but it's still not quite right somewhere. I checked all the hose clamps, and removed and reinstalled the one hose we took off... . but it's hard to find a boost leak without the right tools.



It's also hard to find a place here to run it up over 85 to test the top temp... Weather and local law don't really make it a good idea. It does get to 85 fast. :cool: However I try to keep it slow... when you have a red truck they tend to come out of nowhere. :rolleyes:
 
You might call Piers. One thing to keep in mind is the law of physics. With a larger compressor wheel and the same sized exhaust one as before it will put more resistance on it, which could give you less boost at cruise and less maximum boost. But Piers could explain it better than me.



Vaughn
 
I have been emailing back and forth with him. He is thinking that it should spool faster and be cooler at low rpm. We will see what happens. :)
 
DODGEZILLA

i've heard a lot of good things about the dodgezilla ..... and at around 700 bucks. you get BIG performance and it's CHEAP as far as turbos go. what do you guys think?



i'm holding out for a ball bearing turbo... . as close to VGT (Variable Geometry Turbo) as you are going to get
 
The PDR turbo has a machined housing, extreme bearings and a bigger compressor wheel.



PDR 03 Turbo left, Stock 03 Turbo right.



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no production ball bearing turbos for the ctd yet. piers is experimenting with them - wildcat is doing something or waiting on garrett to release theirs. rod at wildcat said "possibly" in a couple of months there might be something out. garrett already has them for the ford psd 7. 3L - going for close to 2 grand:--)
 
well i am a performance guy who is on a budget. Id love to have a turbo that is under very close to 1k +/- 200 bucks. If it could handle about 500 rwhp with ok exhaust temps that would be great. will it be able to handle that power or am i way off?
 
Originally posted by BHaner

... . but it's hard to find a boost leak without the right tools.








On my turbo bike,I used a shop vac on blow, with an adapter to mount on the intake,saw 3lb's of boost! It might work on your truck also. You might want to clean the vac up before use. Just use a little soapy water,spray on any suspected leaks and look for bubbles. :D
 
Looks like the Dodgezilla turbo is the same idea but using a 2G HX35 turbo, same deal as the PDR35, which has a different exhaust elbow and compressor housing. Dodgezilla is close to $700 with non-wastegated (that is, a 16cm) exhaust housing or almost a grand with the wastegated (12 and 14cm) housing.



Being the Dodgezilla and Piers will be similar in principle I'd prefer going with a 3G direct bolt-on replacement. No fuss, no muss, looks stock.



Vaughn
 
thanks for the data vaughn,



i thought i had seen where there were some 3g owners running the dodgezilla -- they must have had the fuss and the muss



it's good knowledge to know they are nearly identical units
 
Pardon my ignorance but if this has the same outward appearance as a stock turbo would dealer know the difference as in voiding the warranty?
 
dealer wouldn't know unless they had to tear into the turbo -- that would be a selling point for the peirsified turbo (for those w/warranty concerns) -- it's camoflauged :D

300 bux isn't too shabby either

i'm considering it
 
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