Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) wastegate or no wastegate?

[BarlowCummins]

I been thinking of getting a bigger turbine housing and i 'm wondering which is better. The dodge dealer told me to get the wastegated one or i will blow all sorts of seals. The local diesel shop said no wastegate because having the constant boost is better. I'm not sure which one would be better for me, your help would be greatly appriciated.

 

[Cummins4Life]

Going without a wastegate shouldnt hurt anything unless you make too much boost and overspeed the turbo. This also creates hot air which is bad for performance. Also if you make over 50 psi you're risking your headgasket.

 

[Jetpilot]

Get the wastegate. There is more to this than just blowing all sorts of seals... . The turbo needs to be set to wastegate air upon reaching its max boost within its efficiency range. If you spin a turbo faster than design speeds you are actually hurting power and increasing egt's. Also by creating too much boost you run the chance of having premature turbo failure. Personally I would spend the $$ and do it right. It is ALWAYS cheaper to do it correct right from the start than fix it later when its broke.



Just my $. 02 worth,



Doug

 

[RustyJC]

Generally speaking, if you size a turbo so that boost, drive pressure, EGT, etc. are all at optimum at WOT, max load and max engine RPM, that turbo will be an absolute dog at off-boost conditions. It will take forever to spool up, and you'll smoke like a freight train waiting for boost.



The wastegate is used to allow an acceptable sizing compromise. A wastegated turbo is usually sized to give quicker spoolup and sufficient air to avoid lotsa smoke at less than Warp 9 conditions, then the wastegate opens to avoid turbo overspeed, overboost and excessive drive pressure at WOT, max load and max engine RPM.



Rusty