Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How long SHOULD a turbo install take?

[IdaH.O.Train]

I will be attempting to install my new turbo tomorrow and I'm wondering how long I can expect this to take. Also, any tips/advice is appreciated. Thanks

 

[SRadke]

If it's a direct bolt up turbo I'd say 3 hours..... if all the bolts come loose easy and you have the parts and pieces you need. If you replace the downpipe, add 1-2 hours. If you're making your new downpipe, add 2. Mine took total about 8 hours having to fab my own downpipe and modify the intercooler tube to clear the intake. Basically the time depends on what goes wrong, not what you're trying to do.



-Scott

 

[Got Smoke?]

Took us from like 9:30AM (when the truck cooled down) to about 2 or 3pm (I think) to R & R turbos, make flange on a 45* piece of 4", and weld 3 pieces of 4" pipe together to make it long enough to hook to my stacks.

 

[IdaH.O.Train]

I've got the down pipe already. So, it sounds like best case scenario is around 4-5 hrs, without problems.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

took me about 45 minutes...

 

[SRadke]

I should add the second generation trucks allow much better access to the manifold flange bolts. That should cut the time down from my estimates. I took my manifold clear off when I did mine. 45 minutes is VERY optimistic. It could be done but I'd say Forrest got lucky



-Scott

 

[JStieger]

This applies more for a 3rd gen, but I agree with the above posts - anywhere from 3-6 hours. That being said it took me 12 hours :-laf because I didn't get any help until the 9th hour, because I'm probably not as mechanically inclined as others on this board, and because I had issues with the downpipe that the vendor said was a direct bolt-on! Even having a kid/girlfriend/wife help especially with starting the manifold nuts and holding gaskets is significant.



Also, recommend to switch to an ATS manifold at the same time if you haven't done so or have been toying with the idea of doing so. Then you can bolt the turbo to the manifold and then install as one unit. Who gave me this recommendation? SRadke above. Did I follow it? No. So now I get to R/R my turbo again this Monday.



You probably are already going to do this, but just in case I would recommend to start "soaking" the manifold bolts with penetrant a few days ahead of time. On reassembly apply high-temp antisieze.

 

[Beast2B]

Maybe an hour. The worst thing that happened to me was the new downpipe (4" exhaust, HX40 outlet) was about an inch shorter than the old downpipe (also 4" exhaust, but HX35 outlet). I had to loosen the clamps on all joints on the exhaust and stretch another 1/4" from each section... no prob, just took a little longer.

A little contorting may be necessary to get some leverage on the turbo mounting bolts, but nothing too tough.

PIECE OF CAKE!!

Let us know how yours goes... .