Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) PowerMax Turbos

[DPrew]

Garrett PowerMax Turbo feedback please

I'm replacing my Borg Warner S300 turbo in a week with a PowerMax stage 3 turbo and adding an after market exhaust manifold. My 02' makes about 500 HP on the dyno. I just wanted to hear from anyone else who has a PowerMax turbo.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Have had mine for a little over a year now (Powermaxx Stage III) and I can say I am still on the fence if it has been the right choice for me all along. It has awesome spoolup , and is sturdy as all getout (Major plus as the Roller bearing shaft is much larger than your standard bushing/oil film setup) Now with my mods I am having a heat issue. Higher all around egt's. I can only ascimilate this to the fact that you have this aggressive turbo , lots of fuel, and are force feeeding a STOCK exhaust outlet.



They say that with a RB turbo with a water cooled center section such as mine you need not EXTENDED idle down. I call BS on that and still shut down @ 350 pre turbo anyhow. Because even tho the senter is water cooled you still have oil in contact with the shaft where the bearings reside.



Power ... Hmmm It dishes out flow but at what drive pressures ... ??? As EGT's sure don't reflect a 1:1 And whats more is that ever present 1. 2 - 1. 5 lbs of boost allways present at idle (Blue chip FMS readings) And I sure cannot see theese things being capable of supporting 400 HP OVER stock. . I just cannot see that.



But for an on highway turbo when RPM's are allways in an area to dish out some spooling it is the turbo for instant response. I can go from 10-40 LBS in less than a second and you can manage soot very easily with it (When you have those moments of eco- or - Mr. Johnny law caring.



Install can be frustrating for the flange bolts but otherwise is a bolt on unit that sounds good, will perform well with a truck that has mild injectors and a box, and you can bark it like a kennel and not freak out.

How did ya make out?

 

[DPrew]

Thanks for the feedback. My turbo order got screwed up and High Tech Turbo didn't send anything to my installer at Performance Turbo Motorsports. HTT did tell Steve at PTM that they were having more warrantee issues with the PowerMax then they should. The PowerMax has been axed in favor of a Super Stock 62.

The stainless steel turbo is supposed to work great and spool up quickly. I'm sure it won't spool up like the PowerMax but it will probably tolerate higher boost pressure. The fact that it can be rebuilt is also a good thing. I'll be interested to see how much better it spools than my current Borg Warner S300.