Which turbo should I get......

[JR2]

I am shopping for a new turbo and having trouble deciding which one to get so I thought I would open it up to the membership to help me decide...



Here are the choices as I see it...



B1 Bomber



KSB-1 (Kwik spool B1)



PDR-HX40



My signature, like everyones is a little short. . so here are the mods I have (at least the ones that count)



DD3's, Edge Drag Comp (not on yet and replacing EZ+PE), DTT 91% TC/VB and a PDR-HX35 sucking through a BHAF and blowing through a DD 4in exhaust... .



I don't tow enough to mention.



So which one would you pick.....



Also if someone with similar mods can tell me where there B1, KSB1 or PDRHX40 spool up??

 

[DEZLPWR]

I thought the Kwikspool B-1 and the B-1 Bomber were the same turbo..... I think the PDR HX-40 offers the best bang for your buck. My next turbo upgrade will come from Piers.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by DEZLPWR

I thought the Kwikspool B-1 and the B-1 Bomber were the same turbo..... I think the PDR HX-40 offers the best bang for your buck. My next turbo upgrade will come from Piers.

Kwikspool B1 is a smaller exhaust housing, therefore spooling faster, but doesn't offer as big of a temperture drop. The B1 bomber has a bigger housing so its a bigger temperture drop and a lil more lag? I'm waiting on a Kwikspool version now, I had a regular B1 before. I hope to have a drive pressure gauge on and compare the three turbos I have access to (reg B1, Kwikspool B1 and AT-4).





I don't have any experience with the PDRHX40, so I can't make any comparisions. If money is a concern then obviously the PDR HX40 is the cheapest of the bunch. Then the regular B1 and then the kwikspool B1 is the most exspensive. Different people have different opinions on lag and what is acceptable, is there anyone else up there with either of the turbos you could see on their truck? I'm guessing prolly not? If your gonna stay where your at power wise, personally I would try the PDRHX 40 first, if it doesn't work for you then I'm sure you could sell it rather easily if you need to upgrade.



The B1's are bigger in size in regards to shafts etc. Also in theory they should flow more as well. PDR HX40 is wastegated, the B1's are blocked wastegates and will provide around 40 - 45 psi with your power adders. I believe the PDR HX40 is wastegated at 40psi?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

MikeR has ran both the Kwikspool with 12cm housing and a PDR40. He was always barking the Kwikspool and did not like it that well. He now has the PDR40 and likes it a lot better, he hasn't been able to bark it or hurt it (last I knew).



Vaughn

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Vaughn MacKenzie

MikeR has ran both the Kwikspool with 12cm housing and a PDR40. He was always barking the Kwikspool and did not like it that well. He now has the PDR40 and likes it a lot better, he hasn't been able to bark it or hurt it (last I knew).

The PDR HX40 is a 16cm² housing (in most cases)for comparision sake.



Just guessing but the barking is probably from the increased drive pressure of the smaller housing? Being I have an auto I rarely bark any turbos. I'll know the drive pressure question/answer soon as I get a gauge installed.



So many things to try... . so little time. I would love to buy a PDR HX40 for "testing and comparision" but I can't right now.

 

[ob1kobi]

JR2,

I am running the Piers HX-40, with the 16 housing, and I love it. I have the 93% converter, and there is quite a bit of lag on the street though. It wasn't as bad when I had the smaller 91% converter. But it is still liveable, depending on your driving style.

As far as racing goes, you can see my signature, it is all there, nothing hidden, and I have run a best of 13. 34 @ 101. 8, not to bad.

Unfortunately I do not have anything, other than stock, to compare it to. Just giving you my opinion, cause it's not going to be an easy decision for you to make.

Good luck!



Ted



EDIT:

Oops I didn't know about the new 300 character limit on the signatures, and I got tired of trying to edit mine, so you'll have to see my profile. Sorry

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

My choice was the HX 40 from Piers. I was going to go with the B1 but was worried about the lag. Plus I am not sure if I have the fuel to push such a big turbo(B1). I will have the 40 in the truck on Wednesday night and will put in about 250 miles to get home from Fred Swansons. I'll post what I think..... Cant wait

 

[Idaho CTD]

PDR HX-40's

I have two of them and they are both on manual transmissions. I took Vaughn MacKenzie for a ride in my 5spd so he can attest that it started spooling at 1400 rpms. In my opinion that is pretty quick for a big turbo and a 16cm2 housing. The only down side I have seen is that your normal running temps are around 800 vs 600 with the stock turbo. At wot I can only get about 1150 running on just injectors. That is until it gets hot outside then it will reach 1200-1250. At nearly half the price of a B1 I am pretty happy with the PDR HX-40's for now.



Nathan

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I have the ksb1 and I am not impressed with it. TONS of lag and it barks extremely easily. It barks when the tc locks sometimes. I have even had it bark on acceleration. It's like one of those little dogs that just never shuts up. :-laf



If I had it to do over I would have just kept the stock turbo.

 

[Bob Wagner]

When it comes to Turbo modifications, Piers Harry is second to none.



His modifications for the HX35 and HX 40 are very impressive

 

[SlyBones]

And for the price of one of the really large turbos, you can get a PDR HX40 and a PDR Cam.

 

[Bigsaint]

I've been using the AWD HX40 for over 1. 5 years now, no complaints. Chris T. (DieselB59) has the same turbo, except he has the 18cm housing, mine's 16cm. There's some lag, especially in the heat of summer and with the A/C on, but nothing to concern me. I can lose the lag pronto with the TST on even the lowest setting. Just another option, not knocking what's already been stated. Mine's been trouble free and I take it to 45 psi's on a regular basis. I more worried about my headgasket .



Scott W.

 

[J.R. Adkins]

ENTERPRISE ENGINE!!!!!







J. R.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Cummins Corvette

I have the ksb1 and I am not impressed with it. TONS of lag and it barks extremely easily. It barks when the tc locks sometimes. I have even had it bark on acceleration. It's like one of those little dogs that just never shuts up. :-laf



If I had it to do over I would have just kept the stock turbo.

Couple of questions/points.



You made the turbo swap the same time you swapped injection pumps, correct? Is the pump still not operating right? If yes then how can you properly evalute the turbo if you don't have your fueling working as intended?



Secondly you say you have the KSB1 - but you were quoting a 400° drop your supposed to get, and alot of lag... ... do you have the smaller housing on the B1 or the regular B1 housing? If its the larger housing then some of your observations make sense, other wise it doesn't add up. When I had the regular housing B1 on my truck it was fine. The KwikSpool version should be faster (I'm awaiting arrivial of one).



How do you get it to bark with an auto? I rarely have any of my turbos bark, the only one I can remember specifically is the Kwikspool HX40 I had. Are you sure everything is tight on the turbo? All the housing bolts (any missing?), the wastegate blocker?



If you are truely unhappy as you say you are have you tyalked to Kurt about it?



What is your turbo of choice? I am sure someone would buy you a brand new turbo and trade you.



The B1 is not for everyone.

 

[Amianthus]

An email on just this topic.

Here's an email I received on just this. His questions are in italics.



How do you like it?



I like it. It hasn't set my world on fire, but it does the job I need it to do. And it does it quite well.



I have a similar setup to yours, and I just grenaded my HX40 @ 46 psi, and I am debating on going to twins or stay with a single charger?



If you can afford it, twins are the way to go! If you want simplicity, go with the PDR HX-40. If you want more from a single turbo, the B-1 should do you quite well. The PDR HX-40 spools faster. Period. And is a very well built turbo. But it doesn't have the top end that the B-1 has. And might not be as tough at high boost levels. The B-1 has more lag over stock. I used to have the EZ set on the most aggressive setting and found that with the B-1, it's too hard to drive and not get smoke. But with it set on the middle setting, it is quite well mannered. No smoke. Unless you force it. The way it behaves is like this. Once it is going, the more you feed it, the more it wants.



What kind of boost can, and do you build with the B1?



I don't drive with the fueling box on, but when it is, I can get 48 psi with the propane too. Regularly it makes around 25-30 psi with just the supermentals and the edge EZ.



What are your EGT's like?



Well, just cruising around (about 65 mph), they are up about 50-100 degrees and that puts me at 600. But with the HX-35, I had a hard time breaking 1000 with just the SM's and the EZ. Now it won't break 900. At all! With the fueling box set on number 2 (standard #3 or standard Comp5), I can't break 1250. With the box set to kill, I can still peg the EGT meter, but it takes a while to get there. Although lately, It has been hitting 1450 and then coming down. Then it really comes down because by then I'm on the rev limiter and it starts to defuel.



Do you abuse your turbo?



I don't know if I would use that word. But I don't baby it either. I use it. This thing is brutally tough and will sit at 50-55 psi all day long (from others I've talked to). Piers runs his HX-40 at 50psi and doesn't have problems, but he will only sell it set to 40 psi, just to be safe.



Also, did you have to fab up your own Downpipe for the charger?



Yes, I did. And it was a complete PITA. HVAC may have downpipes made pretty soon. But I used an elbow, flange, clamp, and piece of stainless flex pipe to make it all work. It's pretty cheap actually. Just the fit-up and the welding was hard. Have some patience before you tackle it. It will be frustraiting. The HX-40 comes with a better fitting downpipe.



Also, if you know... . how big is the shaft in the turbo?



I don't know, but it is big enough.





I've edited the message a little. Some for content, some to make more sense. Some information in the above is my opinion, and other's results may vary. Also, the only first hand experience I have with the PDR HX-40 was at Muncie. And that wasn't very much exposure. So don't beat me up too bad on it.

Any way you slice it, the B-1 is a good turbo. And so is the PDR HX-40. Both vendors are stand up guys and both stand behind the products they sell.



If you were looking to just go to a bigger turbo and weren't adding obscene amounts of fuel, the PDR HX-40 is tough to beat. But if you are looking to obtain ultimate fueling, the B-1 seems to be the way to go. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[JR2]

Thanks for all the replys guys, this is great info. Keep it coming.





Slybones - don't think that I had not already thought of that

 

[Fred Swanson]

Turbo and Cam package. Now your talking. John, do you plan on upgrading past the current setup you have? Injectors, nitrous and such? How is the HX35 doing in your area, that'll tell alot about how other turbos will respond. If you have good air, and no lag, the bigger turbos will behave better up there.

 

[drawson]

The Piers Super HX-40 is a great turbo for almost everything. Fast spool up good reduction of EGTs and so far it has been bullet proof.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Hey Kat- I don't want to beat up on Kurt (too much ) so I can send you a pm if you would like. I am sure that my fuel system is NOT working correctly yet. Clint said that he would send me a pump to replace the messed up one that is currently on my truck. At that point I will be able to really give the turbo a fairly accurate review. That is why I have been kinda sorta hesitant about saying much about this turbo. I will say that it has a TON of lag in a 12v with a 91% tc operating at 4500 feet. We'll see how it does at 9000 feet this weekend (I'm scared, very scared ).



I am fairly sure that a messed up fuel system has nothing to do with the extremely frequent barking I have. I was letting a friend drive it today and he was very surprised at how easily it barked. That darn thing barked when my tc locked getting on the freeway, and the rpm dropped from 1800 to 1400 and just kept on barking even though we were still accelerating. I guess I have a "special" dtt converter because I have had it lock at almost full throttle before; it hates it bad. Maybe they put in a race tc by mistake. And yes, everything on the turbo is tight.



Barking Chris

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Well,

I left the house today at 11:00 am on a mission for an HX40. I drove 125 miles stacked 100 bales of hay on my trailer and dropped it off and then continued on to Fred Swansons for the HX and the Smart Controller. At 5:30 I got to Fred's(300 miles total)

and started to wire in the smart controller. He showed up about 6 and we started on the turbo. At about 10 pm I left his house after a couple of speed runs with the new turbo. I tried my best to get it to 1300* and couldn't. 5X5 WOT on the Drag DD box and I was hovering at 1225* pre turbo. I still cant believe that. The little HY that did would skyrocket to 1500* in a couple of seconds. This turbo has plenty of top end. On the way home I got to open it up on HWY 10. Top speed was 115 mph and I was still under 1200* Out side temp was still up around 100* at 10:30 PM. Then I got the hay and started home. I was a little tired at this point being that it was 12:30 AM now. I loaded the hay a little off and if I went over 50 mph it would tail whip real bad. So I turned on the flashers and started off on the slowest 125 miles of my life... I hate going slow. The thing that amazed me about the new turbo was that it pulled so hard. 6% grade with 14,000 behind the truck on level 1X5 and it would barely hit 1000* WOW!!!!!!!!!!! Now that is a test. I just left the smart controller on and held third locked up all the way home... ... DTT transmission never even hit 175* and the turbo rocks. It is now 4:17 AM and I am going to bed. THANKS FRED, THAT TURBO IS SWEET!!!!!!!! Mission Accomplished