Turbo Housing (Identification and Upgrade)

[RBurleson]

The turbo housing on my '93 has what looks like 18B0 cast into its housing, and I see no wastegate. I'm guessing it is the stock '93 18. 5cm2 housing, and that the previous owner (PO) simply slapped a coat of paint on the compressor housing and slapped some Banks stickers on the fenders (haven't measured the pipes yet, but besides a boost and pyro gage, I'm not sure what else is Banks). I'm kinda bummed that this isn't the 14cm2 wastegated housing... but that looks easy enough to change.



FWIW, this turbo does not spool all that fast, but stays well within safety limits, touching highs of 19psi and about 600 degrees (post-turbo) during extended top-speed pulls up to just over 80mph, with no trailer.



I have yet to start fiddling with the injection pump -- I'm making darn sure I understand the function and inter-relationships between each adjustment before I do...



I'm midway through a search-n-research quest on opinions between 'gated and non-'gated 14cm2 housings. I've already seen quite a bit of talk about 12cm2 housings, but I don't think I want to go quite that far... . MAYBE I'd feel OK with that if it has a wastegate, otherwise it just makes sense that it would be choking on itself at Western freeway speeds.



If anyone has comments on what they think would be appropriate for 30% around-town miles, 60% unloaded freeway miles, and 10% loaded (6000lb trailer, mostly-flatland) freeway miles ... I'm all ears. I bought this CTD expecting longevity, and I'm will to increase the maintenance and even lose a bit of longevity in the name of performance, but (famous last words) I don't want to go too far down that path... once I add a tachometer, I'll be more willing to adjust toward faster fueling and higher EGTs.



Randii (hammering the SEARCH feature)

 

[Case500D]

Housings, etc.

Randii,



I am sure you will get a lot of opinions on the different housings. I went from a 21 cm to a 16 cm and really liked it. I have no lag. I am about 30% in town, 30% highway, 30% towing 12K+, and 10% around the farm. Just pulling out of the driveway I can get 1 or 2 lb of boost. I have installed the BD 185 hp injectors (aka Power Wagon) so I would not have to turn my pump up. I like the stock, or near stock fuel settings so I can keep my pump alive for a while. After talking with some of the "experts" any increase in full fuel settings that increase the engine idle speed can decrease the injection pump life. That is too bad you didn't get the Bank's turbo with your truck. I am pretty sure a 16 cm housing is cheaper than a 12 or 14 cm (gated or not). Plus you do not have to modify the down pipe for the 16cm housing. Good luck with whatever you do. JFitzgerald has a setup similar to yours, he will be able to help you out more. BTW, my current numbers are 23 lb boost, 1050*F on the pyro, and 3000 rpm with no load. Smoke screw in 2 turns to help with the low end grunt. No smoke under a load. Hope this helps.



Jeremy

 

[jbolt]

Hey Randii,



I just swapped out my stock 18. 5 for a 16 yesterday. The stock housing is marked HOSLET 18 5 CM



I'm very pleased with the 16cm housing so far. Truck feels more alive today. A lot less lag from a dead stop. Much better pickup on the freeway. Cruise at 75mph vs 65 before



I considered going with a 14 since I only tow a few times a year but the 16s are cheap plus I'm installing PODs soon.



Jay

 

[formula]

Try this thread: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=60748&perpage=15&pagenumber=4 and look at my post on "Turbocharger drive pressure vs. boost ". Some info in there that may help you out.



Sean

 

[skobylenski]

What would anyone suggest for a good combo of injectors and a turbo housing? I'm considering either POD's and a 16cm^2 housing, or Powerwagons and and a 14cm^2. I like the idea of the 16cm housing because there is no downpipe modification needed, and it is a little less expensive.

I don't do all that much towing - the 17. 5' boat in the summer and a 2 horse bumper pull w/ one horse probably every other week or so.



Thanks for any help you can give me,

Scott

 

[Case500D]

Scott,



If you have the stock auto, I would go with the PW injectors, but if you have a 5 speed, then the best bang for your $$$ are the POD's. If you go with the PWs then you could put a 14 cm nonwastegated turbo housing on. I think most guys with the POD's are running a 16 cm housing. Right now at PDR, a 14 cm nonWG is $25 more than a 16 cm housing. I think the PW injectors will run with less smoke, but they have a lot of potential with a bit of pump adjusting. Hope this helps.



Jeremy

 

[RBurleson]

Try this thread: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=60748&perpage=15&pagenumber=4 and look at my post on "Turbocharger drive pressure vs. boost ". Some info in there that may help you out.

Great googly-moogly that's a just a little bit to chew on, Sean!



I think I may stop by Orangevale Diesel on the way home and buy another boost meter... maybe I can watch what happens in my own driving habits and see what I need. More guages is always better, right?



Let me summarize from that fine post:

Measurements taken on a stock H1C turbo with a Banks 14cm2 'gated exhaust housing.

Drive/boost pressures

* 0 - 20 psi boost, ratio stays ~ 1:1.

* 22psi, drive pressure 25psi.

* 24psi, drive pressure 30psi.

No drive pressure reading > 30psi, guage limitations.

EGT increase relative to boost increase

* 0-20psi, EGT rises slowly/steadily from 300 to 750.

* 20-26psi, EGT rises much faster, going from 750 to 1200 in just a couple of seconds.



I'll see what numbers I produce over my trip... it sure would be nice to have better economy for the 4K miles, but I don't want to rush a decision without a better comprehension of the variables involved.



As with any engine performance, the results are clearly a balance of many factors.



Randii (definitely still learning!)

 

[formula]

"Great googly-moogly".....



Get in there and take some pressure readings and keep track of EGTs and see what you come up with. Beware that the exhaust pulses are gonna hammer on the gauge, so don't use one that you care too much about. My guess is that you'll decide to go with a non-gated 16cm housing.



Sean