Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Looking for new Turbo

[CrewCabDiesel]

My son has a 2000 2500 with automatic 4X4 and is upgrading the exhaust needs a new turbo. truck has 330k miles with NO blow by and is very solid, AMSOIL ran all its life by the first owner. The turbo now is leaking oil at the front seal and is time for an upgrade. Any suggestions for a mild upgrade that won't break the bank?
Thanks
Kyle

 

[Joe Mc]

Might consider having the original rebuilt versus purchasing a new. Typically more air (bigger turbo) works best with more fuel (bigger injectors) then the "slippery slope" begins and the auto trans is the weak link, once you start adding power if you don't have a performance trans to hold the power it'll get weak.

MHO = 330k miles and a solid engine (assuming drive train is stock and solid as well) consider rebuilding the turbo, add 4" exhaust, cold air filter kit and call it done. Unless you have around 4k for the trans, another 2500 +/- for a turbo, set of injectors and a power box. My $0.02

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Transmission has been done at sometime, it has a billet converter and was checked out by a trans shop I use the specializes in diesel trucks. I do know it was a one owner, truck and was used for hot shot. He got it for $7800 including shipping from Arizona to our door in South Carolina

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

I just ordered a Holstet factory rebuild kit, and upgrade compressor wheel. Any words of advice on the tear down and rebuild? dos and don'ts, etc
Also installing a 4 inch exhaust and drilling the manifold for a EGT probe while its apart.
Thanks
Kyle

 

[Big E]

I used one of PDR's hybrid rebuilds when I had to replace the turbo on my '96.

http://www.pdrdiesel.com/products/PDR_HX35_Turbo_Dodge_Cummins_1998_5_02_24V-482-139.html

You have to use your old exhaust housing, but this was the least expensive option at the time. It was even cheaper than stock rebuilds from the local parts houses.

I see you already bought a rebuild kit, but maybe someone else might find this info useful.

 

[Joe Mc]

As far as tips for the rebuild, I've had mine apart to remediate rust and repaint recently (and it actually worked when done-LOL) I didn't take the wheels off but other than that it seems like it would be pretty straight forward.

 

[Motorhead]

When I had my 2001.5 automatic, I put a HX35 on it from a stock H.O. engine. It worked well gave a bit more boost and helped on EGT's. It also had an adjustable waste gate with a rubber hose feeding it. I put the bleed off elbow on it that the Edge EZ supplied.
Just a suggestion... You bought a rebuild kit and a different compressor wheel. My understanding is the turbine wheel and compressor wheel on the shaft are BALANCED as a unit. changing the compressor wheel without a rebalance could cause issues.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Yea I found out about the balancing later, we pulled the turbo apart, cleaned it installed the new rebuild kit, and was in final assembly and my youngest son sat a battery on the turbo shaft assembly and bent it. So we decided to get an upgraded Borg Warner turbo, its installed with a new 4" exhaust. While I had it apart drilled the exhaust manifold for an EGT probe to be installed at a later date. So now I have a HX35 that needs a new shaft laying around. Oh well.
Thanks for the help
Kyle