Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hybrid for me??

[Rd.Runnr]

See mods in signature. Anyone have experience with hybrid 35/40 turbo. The egts are easily out of hand. The sad thing is that I do not want to lose my pac brake; so a 4" exhaust is not a viable alternative. TIA

 

[PC12Driver]

The hybrids use an HX35 hot side, so they'll take a turbo-mount exhaust brake no problem. I've had my Dodgezilla for about a year now. Great for running around empty. They'll easily keep the top end temps in check and spool great in the upper rpms (2k+).



Put a trailer on the truck and it's a different story. The turbo doesn't light 'till 1900ish RPM. So cruising at highway speed in 6th I'm almost always "under" the turbo, and egts will skyrocket before there's enough drive pressure to build boost. Slight hills or passing is the worst, since you don't want/need to floor it (which would maybe get enough drive pressure to build boost), so you either baby the throttle or downshift. Yeah, I know, big deal - just downshift. But on a long trip, staring at the pyro under normal driving conditions gets old. Especially considering how well the engine pulled with the stock turbo under the same conditions. Oh yeah, and almost embarassing amounts of smoke no matter how easy I tried to drive it. If you've got a tight auto and tow in OD I really couldn't recommend this turbo. A 12cm housing might work, but that kinda makes for an unbalanced turbo.



So, my factory HX35-12 is back on my truck and the DZ is in the classifieds. I'm getting the same boost at 1,500 rpm that I was getting at 1900 rpm with the DZ and egt's are much more controllable (low to mid rpms). In hindsight, I'd say the Piers HX35 or the High Tech Turbo hybrid with a 12cm (maybe a 14cm) housing would have been a better choice with their smaller compressor wheels for a little better low end response. But for now the stock turbo is gonna stay on 'till I can get some twins.



How about a cam? Temps drop, smoke clears up, and you don't loose the stock driveability (and the one I got cost a bunch less than a turbo, too).