My HX-40 experiences!

[Strick-9]

I bought my HX-40 about a year ago from fellow TDR member TXRam. It was during the time of concern when the bad batch of 40's were blowing up left and right. Since TXRam had already tested this turbo, I felt it was safer to purchase his slightly used and tested unit than a new unit.



I didn't feel a huge improvement in power after installation. There was more lag for sure and I didn't see much if ANY WOT EGT reduction.



During cruise, I had less boost therefore my EGT was actually higher.



During moderate acceleration, the HX-40 performed quite well and EGT's were definately lower.



During WOT runs, my EGT's were no different than my stock HX-35.



I pushed this HX-40 to the limits and it just kept on working flawlessly. Everyday of its life it saw 43 psi of boost. For the past two months it has been running 46-47 psi of boost.



The wastegate has always been functional. EGT's have been 1700+ on a daily basis. My digital gauge only reads to 1747° so I can't tell you how high it actually gets.



Well, today it finally died. I accelerated from stop slowly rolling into the throttle. By the time I got to about 45-50 mph at 1/2 throttle and 20-25 psi of boost it popped and made that horrible sound of the compresser wheel digging into the housing.



I limped it home 1/2 mile. The bearings are shot but I don't appear to have lost any oil? No smoke at all. My SPA digital gauge read -1psi of boost all the way home.



I'll go take it off now to examine it, but I wanted to share my experiences with the TDR so others can make more informed decisions in the future.



-Chris

 

[HVAC]

Seen It

Having been a party to this kind of catastrophe before, I recommend removing the compressor housing before attempting the drive home. You don't want that compressor wheel dismembering itself as you drive.

You can ingest metal into the engine

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Chris

I was wondering if you have any idea of what you down time will be, Will you make it to Dallas on 16 March. Sorry to hear about it letting go, I too would like to have one some day but don't need that on a daily driver.



Jim

 

[Strick-9]

Well, the shaft snapped. The exhaust turbine and rear set of bearings and seals don't seem to be damaged much. Thus no oil loss into the exhaust.



The bearings on the compressor side are another story. The compressor wheel just barely scratched the housing. Not much damage in my opinion other than the oil mess in the intercooler.



I should consider myself lucky.



Jim, I'll still go to the dyno on the 16th, but I'm sure disappointed. I was really planning on putting up some huge numbers. Maybe next time. We'll see what this little HX-35 will do.



Downtime was little. I have a few turbos in the shop that got me going again. Getting the exhaust apart to put that 3" downpipe back on was the biggest problem of all.



I sure love the driveability of the stock turbo. That thing spools right now! I've had lag for such a long time it's become a way of life.



Not sure what I'm going to do next in the turbo department.



-Chris

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Sorry to hear about the '40 popping. Do you have any idea why egt wasn't reduced any at wot? I haven't heard that before. From what you have described, it sounds like there wasn't any point in having it on anyway. Was the only significant change the amount of lag? If no increase in hp, and no decrease in egt at wot, then I don't feel to sorry for you that it blew up. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise.

 

[Forrest]

I've been tweaking the boost elbow for no more than 40psi & all is well. I wonder if it's the > 45psi thing.

 

[MikeR]

I sure hope I don't have an HX40 failure. But if I should ever have one, I had the foresight to assemble my downpipe with a stainless big-rig exhuast band clamp for a painless easy 5-minute down pipe swap. No crushed pipes to fight later.



-Mike

 

[Blair]

HX40 Blews

My HX 40 siezed up on me at low boost so no damage to any housings. I had my boost elbow adjusted for no more than 40 lbs boost to. One time when I was sledding I had to pull through some wet spring snow to get further up the road and the boost gauge was bouncing off the pin every time the truck dug in. It was awsome the filter minder was sucked right to the bottom. Six months later no boost, turbo no spin arhg.