WWYD? Turbo time

[elliottw]

175k miles on my LBZ. Vanes are sticking and starting to get intermittent P003A and P2563. Here's my dilemma. I don't drive my pickup much anymore. It was my DD for 5 years and never gave me a lick of trouble. She's retired now and in the last 2 years I've maybe put 5k miles on it. Pretty much the only time I drive it is when I need to tow (anhydrous tanks and various farm equipment) and if I need 4x4 if weather is really bad. I put my tech 2 on it and vanes didn't want to keep up with command and it definitely is on its way out.

For a truck you don't use often would you stay VGT or go fixed? If I stay VGT should I go new stock or Garrett powermax or the like? I like the way the truck runs and don't plan on going for big power ever. But part of me thinks I might like a small fixed? Truck is for all intents and purposes "stock"

Thanks for any input.

 

[1FastBrick]

I was looking at the Fleece Performance Cheetah 63mm VNT.

2004.5-2010 LLY, LBZ, LMM Duramax 63mm FMW Cheetah Turbocharger (STREET)

Fleece 2004.5-2010 Duramax 63mm Cheetah Turbo: Premium upgrade for LLY/LBZ/LMM GM diesels. Boost power while maintaining quick spool-up.

www.fleeceperformance.com

 

[elliottw]

My one question is do we trust the modded vgts longevity? Seems like all I see on Facebook is dudes eating up Wolds/RDS/fleeces etc. I wish Danville was still in operation or that's the route I'd most likely go.

 

[gmduramax]

The 9 blades haven’t been reliable. I also see a lot of tunes that are asking for way too much boost.

 

[1FastBrick]

The Fleece uses a new turbo, Not that China Junk RDS is using. And you can still get the Danville Equivalent through Brad on here. The guy doing them started his own business.

@Bdsankey Is the guy you will need to speak to. he is a sponsor on here too. He is leaving for vacation on the 30th

 

[elliottw]

Brads always treated me right. What's the Danville equivalent? I've been out of the game too long

 

[1FastBrick]

I believe he calls him self JZ manufacturing but he only has a few distributors that you can purchase through. Brad being one of them

 

[Chevy1925]

Personally, drop a new stocker in if going vgt. Only way to be for sure reliable. Otherwise fixed vane ain’t bad, you just loose turbo braking, gain more lag and will need to swap a bunch of stuff around to get it working

 

[elliottw]

Personally, drop a new stocker in if going vgt. Only way to be for sure reliable. Otherwise fixed vane ain’t bad, you just loose turbo braking, gain more lag and will need to swap a bunch of stuff around to get it working

For the price I think that's the most likely route also

 

[malibu795]

Stock would be cheapest.
The two mentioned VGT upgrades are good choices as well.

As a guy that's gone non VGT, a 362/68 or 363/68 with a .83 gated housing or a Garrett GT4088R would be my stock replacement choices.
they are very slightly slower than stock turbo spool
I've spent a lot of time towing heavy with the 4088

 

[malibu795]

Iirc wherli has a 63mm ihi based charger as well

 

[Bdsankey]

My personal preference for VGTs is JZ Mfg. His units have never let me down. He does offer a reman unit that is not a ton more over a brand new OEM unit. They come without electronics so if yours is having electronic issues new is the best bet.

I carry OEM and modified units from JZ, Duramax Tuner (Stealth), RDS, Dan's, and Fleece. JZ have been the most consistent, zero failure rate for me, and are top quality components.

 

[elliottw]

Brad can you shoot me a PM with some price options. OEM new and JZ new with an install kit as well?

 

[Bdsankey]

Brad can you shoot me a PM with some price options. OEM new and JZ new with an install kit as well?

Sure can!

 

[jlawles2]

Since it's not your daily any longer, have you considered cleaning the vanes? IIRC there was a vane upgrade that could be done to the stock unit as well.

Don't know how much you want to put into the truck and what performance you are looking to achieve.

 

[monster50iii]

I've tried: 3794 from danville, 4094 stg2r, 64.5/73sxe, 69sxe, 64.5/68sxe, 66/73 FI.

64.5/68SXE is my favorite. Spools like stock, I can make 20psi at 1500rpms. Tows amazing, and has enough air to make the power I want. Dynoed at 655hp on a 2200us tune with the 60s I have. If you go fixed vane don't go away from borgs sxe line. My 69mm from borg spool twice as fast as forced inductions 66mm I tried.

 

[elliottw]

I went with OEM from Brad, shes back up and running like a top

 

[Bdsankey]

The box SXE line is hard to beat. The unclipped turbines grab a ton of air in terms of response. The plane blade compressor wheels work very well but could be easily improved with a slimmer hub as they are CHONKY. I'm working with a turbo builder on wheels but that will take some time.

The same builder is working on making their own version of the Smeding drop in. It would take a standard S300 kit downpipe/oil lines but mate with the OEM intake (mimic OEM compressor cover).

 

[monster50iii]

Fwiw, I've tried 6 blade wheels on both my 64.5 turbos, and my 69 that I had. Purchased from stainless diesel. Every time I went away from the std borg wheel response and drivability greatly diminished. Some top end? Maybe? I would have needed a dyno to know as the butt dyno couldn't tell. Drive pressure did go up when I dropped to the 6 blade wheels