Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) pick me a turbo

[KBurgoyne]

I have recently been giving myself several headaches researching turbos and trying to pick one out, so I decided to ask the experts. Sadly though I couldn't find any experts so im posting it here.:-laf:-laf:-laf

Im looking for something that is a good daily driver. Fast and low spooling that will support 5x.014 (maybe 5x.016) DFI injectors; formerly SDX. http://www.dfi-performance.com/dfi-5x0-014s-94-98/ and 191 delivery valves. http://www.dfi-performance.com/191-delivery-valves/. Currently have 16 degrees timing and its a manual with a south bend and I have an airdog 165. Figuring somewhere in the mid 500's. I don't plan on getting a cam because I don't have the means of doing it myself and it a 13-15 hour shop bill so I had to rule out the stage 3 garrett.

Im currently leaning fleece cheetah 63/65/12. Its a modified he351 with a billet wheel and I cant find any bad news about them other than the 2100 price tag. 300 is core charge. I don't have a core.
Ive looked at just about everything so all ideas are welcome, especially first hand testimony. Thanks in advance and I was just kidding about the expert thing. You are the ultimate smarter-than-me.

 

[KBurgoyne]

another good one, but again not cheap.
http://puredieselpower.com/dodge-pr...-5.9l-cummins-turbo-by-engineered-diesel.html

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I would not use big hole injectors as injection pressures suffer. How about 370 HP marine injectors? For a turbo, Ilike the BD Super B and have put them on First Gen, and Second Gen Rams with excellent results.

 

[cerberusiam]

Something like this should do you pretty well http://himni-racing.com/turbocharge...warner-air-werks-s300sx3-60-s360-turbo-type-a. Unless you are going to invest in a cam and a 4000 RPM gov kit you probably don't need a high rom turbo. A good 60\68 on a .88 or .91 housing should spool quick and flow enough air for higher rpm operations, opt for one that will give you better air at lower pressures and rpm. The billet wheels are a sales ploy, you don't need them if you size the turbo right and frequently when they get done lightening them they don't flow correctly.

 

[KBurgoyne]

For a 60mm though you could just upgrade the stocker with a stage 3 wheel. Still wouldn't flow as much air as the borg, but not bad. I just figured that if I was going to throw turbo money at the truck it was worth getting something that was easily noticeable and a lot of fun to screw around with. I even thought about taking that upgraded hx35 and sticking a s400 under it. A s400 runs in the mid 600s. Anybody have a link to a good piping kit. The only ones I can find are the full getup with the exhaust manifold and intake which I already have.

 

[cerberusiam]

That is just one configuration of an s360. If you want more fun for a little racing then a 63\71 on a .91 housing would be a quick little charger. Depends on whether you want functional or fun or both.

 

[KBurgoyne]

about the injectors and DV's would they be a good setup for a 1000cfm or a little more turbo. 5x.014s or 5x.016 and 191s. Ive been looking around at the s362 and even relooking over the garrett since upon further review it only tends to surge while towing on truck that don't have many airflow upgrades.

 

[cerberusiam]

Injectors and DV's will help spool the 63 wheels better, would probably work fine with the 60 wheel also. Depends on how much smoke you want in low\no boost situations.

 

[KBurgoyne]

I don't mind smoke and that can be adjusted with the star wheel if it gets obnoxious. The turbos im looking at (garrett, fleece, engineered) are all good for off the line spooling. None of that wait till 1600 before the needle moves garbage. They are expensive, but you don't need to give up the bottom end completely to have a decent sized wheel. A standard borg 63/68/14 with downpipe and 12v setup is 825 which is awful nice, but I think this is get what you pay for situation.

 

[cerberusiam]

but I think this is get what you pay for situation.

That is always the question, ROI. On the other hand, is $1800-2000 too much to pay for a decent turbo. Turbo performance on paper doesn't always equate to expectations. Looks good until you put it on then you have a base line.

 

[hsmith]

I'm watching this as I would like to have less lag with mine. I have no trouble towing with my setup, but really am careful not to get in a bind before 1400-1500 rpms. Also keeping the egt's in check. Backed off on my fueling, helped the temps and smoke. I don't mind a haze but will not go with a lot of smoke.

 

[KBurgoyne]

my truck loved all of the flow upgrades. the intake high flow filter and horn, and the exhaust system and especially the manifold. It felt much more willing to go through the rev range. With a #6 plate 175 in the stock spot on a 175 pump it wont get very much over 900 if I really get on it. Which turbo do you have by the way Mr. Smith.

 

[hsmith]

I've been running the Super B for a few years. Plenty of boost, just would like it to spool a bit sooner. Haven't done any adjustments for a while either.

 

[KBurgoyne]

from what i have been reading about all the turbos out there, the super b line is the proverbial middle of the road turbo. they are good at everything, but not the best at anything good bang for the buck turbos. the super b is a 57/65/14. It has a large exhaust side compared to the compressor side making it a little laggy down low, but good in the mid and high range for towing. have you ever tried turning the star wheel 10-20 clicks for a little extra pre-boost fuel.
An exhaust manifold will also work wonders. My stock one was cracked with 3 broken bolts and pushed over gaskets. I have the BD, its only 50 bucks more than a stock replacement. they run between 400-450 and xdp is currently having a ten percent off sale. BY the way I seem to remember you saying something about adjusting the stock governor spring for more low end torque and a bit higher RPM. If it was you, could you elaborate please and thank you.

 

[hsmith]

I have the upgraded exhaust and intake also. Have for a while. I may do a little more adjustments, star wheel, etc. It did spool a bit sooner when I was running more fuel but also was a bit smoky. I was not the one you are talking about adjusting the stock gov springs. I have also had the 3k springs for a while and am pleased with them. All my work has been hands on by myself and a learning experience as I have been a gas mech for too long to mention.

 

[Big Red 94Ram]

Anybody have any thoughts on the Banks Quickshot wastegate? I've been thinking about doing this to my truck with the ATS exhaust manifold for quicker spool up.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

So long as the stock wastegate is working properly, i.e. closed during spool up, there is no reason to replace it.

 

[KBurgoyne]

I have the upgraded exhaust and intake also. Have for a while. I may do a little more adjustments, star wheel, etc. It did spool a bit sooner when I was running more fuel but also was a bit smoky. I was not the one you are talking about adjusting the stock gov springs. I have also had the 3k springs for a while and am pleased with them. All my work has been hands on by myself and a learning experience as I have been a gas mech for too long to mention.

some 50 to 100 horse injectors will help, and good ones will smoke less. With a 215 pump though you have plenty of fuel on tap for a little extra turbo. the right 60/68/12 or 62/65/12 would spool lower and move more air up top. It all comes down to $$$.

 

[KBurgoyne]

Anybody have any thoughts on the Banks Quickshot wastegate? I've been thinking about doing this to my truck with the ATS exhaust manifold for quicker spool up.

I have no idea how a wastegate would increase spool up. It sounds like Banks has gotten a little carried away with their advertisements again. I could be wrong, but im always suspicious of Banks advertisements. They perform their comparative tests in house often with machinery designed and built by Banks. They have also invented their own parameters like air density percent gained instead of horsepower and torque. Basically the most bias test possible. The exhaust manifold on the other hand with work great. I like the BD more than the ATS strictly based on reviews many more people happy with the BD and I really like mine, but the ATS warranty is the best out there.

 

[jkidd]

The 63/68/14 in a direct fit with hx40 downpipe and some 5x.014 injectors with the correct 145* spray would work well and support up to 500-550HP without much trouble. Wait on the DV. You can get a set up like this for a little over $1500 if you know where to look.