A few turbo questions and a rant

[ghohouston]

Hello guys, good to see some of the original people back and active on here after some years. I have a few questions that KC Turbo basically won't answer, and hoping someone has the answer here. Buddy of mine has an old Garrett 38r with more play than acceptable, he will basically give it to me. Cool, KC sells a journal bearing replacement chra for an original 38r. Like a year or so ago, I emailed them asking if the chra they sell (and claim to be rebuildable), would accept the sxe turbine/ shaft they sell, but the late 99-03 van turbo style, as I would LOVE to use/ retain both a larger exducer and 1.15 exhaust housing (truck currently has a late 99-03 van turbo on it). Well the one email I got basically said it probably won't work, the shaft lengths might be different, threads for comp wheel might be different, etc. Basically trying to sell me a turbo and would not directly answer any of my questions, and absolutely acted like they didn't have a clue as far as shaft size, exducer size, and tried to sell me a new turbo. So shit got put on the back burner, I decide to call them up today, said hey, that 38r journal bearing replacement chra you guys sell, would the sxe turbine you sell work in that? Ohh no, wouldn't work. I ask what if the shaft ever snaps in the claimed "rebuildable" chra they sell, and stated well it almost has to be the same turbine put in it when built that the late 99-03 trucks used, because magically, no where on their site does it list a replacement turbine for it, only the chra, but again, it's claimed to be rebuildable. "Oh well there's usually so much damage it has to be replaced anyways". What the ****? Why do they even sell anything other thab new turbos if this the way a potential customer is treated, TWICE. And then of course, got offered to buy a new turbo, again.

So anyways, does anyone have info out there of maybe an original 38r chra (minus the compressor/ exhaust housing) length, like total length of the shaft? There is plenty of info online about the old stock turbos, but I don't have a good way to properly measure that if I do grab the turbo from my buddy. I don't want to waste money on something that's not going to work, but I am about 99.5% certain, the late 99-03 van style sxe turbine will drop right into the journal bearing 38r chra they sell, then I can slap on the van turbo 1.15 ex housing, and be happy.

 

[6.0 Tech]

Hello guys, good to see some of the original people back and active on here after some years. I have a few questions that KC Turbo basically won't answer, and hoping someone has the answer here. Buddy of mine has an old Garrett 38r with more play than acceptable, he will basically give it to me. Cool, KC sells a journal bearing replacement chra for an original 38r. Like a year or so ago, I emailed them asking if the chra they sell (and claim to be rebuildable), would accept the sxe turbine/ shaft they sell, but the late 99-03 van turbo style, as I would LOVE to use/ retain both a larger exducer and 1.15 exhaust housing (truck currently has a late 99-03 van turbo on it). Well the one email I got basically said it probably won't work, the shaft lengths might be different, threads for comp wheel might be different, etc. Basically trying to sell me a turbo and would not directly answer any of my questions, and absolutely acted like they didn't have a clue as far as shaft size, exducer size, and tried to sell me a new turbo. So shit got put on the back burner, I decide to call them up today, said hey, that 38r journal bearing replacement chra you guys sell, would the sxe turbine you sell work in that? Ohh no, wouldn't work. I ask what if the shaft ever snaps in the claimed "rebuildable" chra they sell, and stated well it almost has to be the same turbine put in it when built that the late 99-03 trucks used, because magically, no where on their site does it list a replacement turbine for it, only the chra, but again, it's claimed to be rebuildable. "Oh well there's usually so much damage it has to be replaced anyways". What the ****? Why do they even sell anything other thab new turbos if this the way a potential customer is treated, TWICE. And then of course, got offered to buy a new turbo, again.

So anyways, does anyone have info out there of maybe an original 38r chra (minus the compressor/ exhaust housing) length, like total length of the shaft? There is plenty of info online about the old stock turbos, but I don't have a good way to properly measure that if I do grab the turbo from my buddy. I don't want to waste money on something that's not going to work, but I am about 99.5% certain, the late 99-03 van style sxe turbine will drop right into the journal bearing 38r chra they sell, then I can slap on the van turbo 1.15 ex housing, and be happy.

I apologize for how you were treated, twice. We do rebuild turbos fairly often for customers, be it one of ours that’s out of warranty, one they’d just like a refresh on, or the occasional warranty we have. I unfortunately don’t know the answer for you, as I don’t build turbos, I just throw in what we’re testing next. I will say that our turbos have come a long way since the 38r days, and chances are our new wheels won’t fit. However, that being said, just because something isn’t on our website, doesn’t mean we do t sell them. And a lot of times a beating failure in a turbo does warrant a new turbo, as the time for one of our builders to fix all the damage done from wheels making contact and all the other associated damage is more than just sending a replacement. Also, being as I didn’t design our website, our description may just be referring to serviceable bearings and seals, for noise, slight play, or oil consumption issues, whereas the 38r was ball bearing and not serviceable for the most part unless you had a $100,000 machine to be able to balance it.

Hope that helps some, and I apologize again for our customer service guys giving you a hard time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ghohouston]

 

[ghohouston]

 

[ghohouston]

 

[ghohouston]

It's literally like they didn't even listen to what I was saying, or the person answering the phone/ emails has no clue what they're talking about. What kind of turbo company doesn't know the measurements of what they sell?
There was never a reply to this email, and like I said, it went on the back burner.

 

[ghohouston]

I apologize for how you were treated, twice. We do rebuild turbos fairly often for customers, be it one of ours that’s out of warranty, one they’d just like a refresh on, or the occasional warranty we have. I unfortunately don’t know the answer for you, as I don’t build turbos, I just throw in what we’re testing next. I will say that our turbos have come a long way since the 38r days, and chances are our new wheels won’t fit. However, that being said, just because something isn’t on our website, doesn’t mean we do t sell them. And a lot of times a beating failure in a turbo does warrant a new turbo, as the time for one of our builders to fix all the damage done from wheels making contact and all the other associated damage is more than just sending a replacement. Also, being as I didn’t design our website, our description may just be referring to serviceable bearings and seals, for noise, slight play, or oil consumption issues, whereas the 38r was ball bearing and not serviceable for the most part unless you had a $100,000 machine to be able to balance it.

Hope that helps some, and I apologize again for our customer service guys giving you a hard time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, if KC sells a chra that is supposed to accept both the exhaust and compressor housings of an original 38r, that should absolutely accommodate a factory turbo option (exducer side, seeing as an original 38r and oem super duty turbo shared the same exducer, 38r having a larger comp wheel compared to any 99-03 turbo). I absolutely would think and hope the newer turbo's offered out perform the original 38r's. I had/ have 2 goals here- take a worn original 38r and install the journal bearing chra KC advertises, and HOPEFULLY do what I WANT to do, which is install a 1.15 exhaust housing (from a van turbo) on the 38r. It absolutely bolts right on. The issue lies with the exducer size difference between the super duty truck turbo's compared to the super duty van turbo's (which both had the same compressor wheel, different sized exducers, the van turbo being larger), and from my research, shaft size and length is identical. Without the correct sized exducer and exhaust housing combination, the turbo will not perform well.

 

[ju015dd]

How many miles on the 38r? I honestly don't think I would like the kc turbos because they are quiet from what I have heard.

 

[ghohouston]

How many miles on the 38r? I honestly don't think I would like the kc turbos because they are quiet from what I have heard.

To be honest, I'm not sure. A buddy has it, pulled off of his truck for a KC unit. Im sure it has quite a few though. I'm okay with a little quieter than what a 38r is. I had one 11 years ago on my first 7.3, and that damn siren/ howling noise they make can definitely get old. It's stupid, but the exhaust note of a 1.15 exhaust housing has always been music to my ears compared to the other housings, and is one of the reasons I want to do what I am suggesting. One day down the road I'll probably snatch up a set of headers (had a pair of them with the 38r on my first 7.3 and it sounded sooooo good).

 

[powerlifter405]

Hello guys, good to see some of the original people back and active on here after some years. I have a few questions that KC Turbo basically won't answer, and hoping someone has the answer here. Buddy of mine has an old Garrett 38r with more play than acceptable, he will basically give it to me. Cool, KC sells a journal bearing replacement chra for an original 38r. Like a year or so ago, I emailed them asking if the chra they sell (and claim to be rebuildable), would accept the sxe turbine/ shaft they sell, but the late 99-03 van turbo style, as I would LOVE to use/ retain both a larger exducer and 1.15 exhaust housing (truck currently has a late 99-03 van turbo on it). Well the one email I got basically said it probably won't work, the shaft lengths might be different, threads for comp wheel might be different, etc. Basically trying to sell me a turbo and would not directly answer any of my questions, and absolutely acted like they didn't have a clue as far as shaft size, exducer size, and tried to sell me a new turbo. So shit got put on the back burner, I decide to call them up today, said hey, that 38r journal bearing replacement chra you guys sell, would the sxe turbine you sell work in that? Ohh no, wouldn't work. I ask what if the shaft ever snaps in the claimed "rebuildable" chra they sell, and stated well it almost has to be the same turbine put in it when built that the late 99-03 trucks used, because magically, no where on their site does it list a replacement turbine for it, only the chra, but again, it's claimed to be rebuildable. "Oh well there's usually so much damage it has to be replaced anyways". What the ****? Why do they even sell anything other thab new turbos if this the way a potential customer is treated, TWICE. And then of course, got offered to buy a new turbo, again.

So anyways, does anyone have info out there of maybe an original 38r chra (minus the compressor/ exhaust housing) length, like total length of the shaft? There is plenty of info online about the old stock turbos, but I don't have a good way to properly measure that if I do grab the turbo from my buddy. I don't want to waste money on something that's not going to work, but I am about 99.5% certain, the late 99-03 van style sxe turbine will drop right into the journal bearing 38r chra they sell, then I can slap on the van turbo 1.15 ex housing, and be happy.

In two of the Excursion FB groups I frequent, guys have been complaining about KC customer service.
I recently acquired another 6.0 and it was nice that @6.0 Tech has responded there hasn't been a follow up to your post. I know a few people w/ 6.0s and I had previously recommended KC but I worry if this will be an issue. I probably modding everything from the heads up and aside from Warren I'm not sure where I should get my parts if CS at kc has gone to shit.

 

[ghohouston]

In two of the Excursion FB groups I frequent, guys have been complaining about KC customer service.
I recently acquired another 6.0 and it was nice that @6.0 Tech has responded there hasn't been a follow up to your post. I know a few people w/ 6.0s and I had previously recommended KC but I worry if this will be an issue. I probably modding everything from the heads up and aside from Warren I'm not sure where I should get my parts if CS at kc has gone to shit.

I agree it was nice of 6.0 Tech, however it's not his problem. I am just floored that a company sells products for turbo rebuilding, specifically catering to one market, literally doesn't know the dimensions of the products they sell. Not to mention the journal bearing chra is advertised as rebuildable (of course it's rebuildable, it's journal bearing- whole reason that exact product exists, to give 38r owners a what, almost a 70% cheaper option than a new turbo), and their site doesn't even list a replacement turbine shaft/wheel for it. That really sucks to hear, and experience about their customer service. I've installed a few of their turbos and they are good products from what I have seen, but this is absurd.

 

[Tiha]

I read about KC turbos and Full Force getting trashed on FB all the time. I just don't believe it. Had great luck with both of them.

Would imagine whoever you talked to, they were just the wrong person. Went through this recently with a guy From US shift. On their quick 4 system. Everything he told me over the phone said their system will not do what I wanted it to do.
Yet everything I read online on their website says it would. I did end up buying one and what the US Shift salesman told me was wrong.

Seems to be all too common these days, and yes it is very frustrating.

 

[DEEZUZ]

Can't judge an entire company off a small inconvenience(which is totally what this is)

Especially with phone people, especially with phone sales people.

People call my shop and then ask who tf they talked to.. I then have to apologize and explain.

Good help hard to find.

 

[ju015dd]

I read about KC turbos and Full Force getting trashed on FB all the time. I just don't believe it. Had great luck with both of them.

Would imagine whoever you talked to, they were just the wrong person. Went through this recently with a guy From US shift. On their quick 4 system. Everything he told me over the phone said their system will not do what I wanted it to do.
Yet everything I read online on their website says it would. I did end up buying one and what the US Shift salesman told me was wrong.

Seems to be all too common these days, and yes it is very frustrating.

Mainly F.F getting slammed most the time. Haven't seen much hate towards KC. The infamous Kent Barns gets drug quite a bit though...lol

 

[ghohouston]

It sure is a small inconvenience, yes, but super frustrating none the less. I guess I put too much faith in employees. And god that Kent Barnes guy is something else.

I did finally pick up that 38r. Took it apart yesterday along side a factory 7.3 pickup turbo. Shaft lengths are identical as well as threads on both shafts/ comp wheels, so my idea will work just fine. Guess I'll call KC and see if I can convince them to build what I'm after and balance it.

 

[INFRNL]

Hopefully they can help you out or refer you to someone that can

 

[ghohouston]

Welp, they in fact will not sell me what I want, without buying the things independently of each other, and they won't do a one off install/ balance.