Upgraded turbo

6speedsd · Apr 27, 2014

So plans for this summer are to blow the ole girl apart and do the usual work...
Studs
Maybe a RR
New injectors (stock)
All the updated parts
Etc

Tossing around the idea of stepping up to something like a stage 1 turbo. Maybe somewhere around a 63...not sure about a 66. My question is this....would it even be worth it with stock injectors? Really have no desire to go bigger right now, and even if I ever decide to, wouldn't be bigger than 155/30's. I'd imagine anything bigger than stock would just get laggy without bigger sticks correct? What about non-VGT? How small are they offered, and how laggy would they be on a stock 6.0? What all is involved switching to non-VGT? Keep in mind, this truck is a DD, will never run a tune bigger than SRL, and tows quite often (8-12k).

FaSSt9602 · Apr 27, 2014

The 1.5 from KC Turbo is working out really well for stock injectors and slightly larger. You would have no problem towing to the trucks full capacity with it. It really does drive just like stock, but with more power, and slightly faster spool-up.

The bigger you go, the more potential there is for a little lag and heat, especially when towing. It is up to you whether it is too much lag. Me personally, I can't stand lag and I do not want to focus constantly on gauges while I'm towing.

HobbyStock62 · Apr 27, 2014

I like my Barder stage 2. Running stock fuel aswell and pull 12k with it. Spools better than stock with gearhead srl+ tune.

6speedsd · Apr 27, 2014

I'm the same way...I hate lag. I'd love to go non-VGT purely for the sound if nothing else, but I can imagine it would be a very noticeable difference in lag compared to VGT. then again, I guess it all really depends on tuning for the bigger turbo too.

KC 1.5 or the stage 1 from Barder were what I was considering. Just wasn't sure how well they performed with stock injectors. I definitely don't want to start watching gauges constantly. I feel like I do that enough now as it is.

KCTurbos · Apr 27, 2014

If you are only planning on going up to 155s and you are looking for quick spooling and great towing then I would stick with a turbo option that utilizes the larger 13 blade turbine. We have done a TON of experimenting with vgt turbos, mods, sizes etc...

One of the most interesting experiments we did was we took a stock injector truck and pushed it to the max with a stock turbo. We pushed it super hard on the dyno and got a really good baseline number. Then we added a 68mm turbo... the truck only gained about 25hp.

We took the same truck with 190/100s and pushed it to the max on stock turbo. We tuned it on the dyno and got the most power possible out of it. Then we added a 68mm turbo and it gained 133hp... that is a huge gain. So with the same turbo changed it only gained 25hp on stock injectors and 133hp with 190s...

Basically what I am getting at is turbo sizing is very important. I have worked with many people who were led to believe that larger turbos spool just like stock... THAT IS NOT TRUE. Of the line with a ton of fuel can help... but lock in OD at 1600rpms while pulling a load will make a big turbo have issues and feel very laggy and run high egts.

That is why I say that I would stick with a 13 bladed turbine with your power and truck goals. You might lose out on a little bit of top end flow with a 13 blade turbine (only a couple hp) but you will gain a lot of bottom end spool up.

We came up with a turbo design that should fit your needs perfectly. We have our KC stage 1.5 turbo. It utilizes the larger 13 blade turbine for quick spooling and great towing characteristics (not meant to be a race/dyno turbo) It is built for great daily driving characteristics and towing with stock and 155cc injectors. It will also work with 175s but it will not be able to completely clean up those injectors on a race tune.

Stage 1.5 specs: 63.5mm 11 blade billet compressor wheel, .72ar race compressor cover, larger 13 blade turbine. (units built from brand new turbos receive billet high flowing vanes and stainless steel unison rings)

Here is a picture with the optional polished cover (sorry this is the only pic I have, a customer sent it to me)

Let me know if you have any questions

dieselpips · Apr 27, 2014

Charlie hooked me up with one of those. It should be here early this week. Im all stock as well so ill post up what it does.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

6speedsd · Apr 27, 2014

That's exactly what I wanted to know. I could really care less about top end hp. This truck hasn't seen over 3300 rpm but a handful of times. I just have no need or desire to rev that high. I want low end, quick spooling. I don't want to constantly watch temps when I'm towing...like you mentioned, 1600rpm with the TQ locked. Seems like that's all I do now is keep an eye on my pyro. I don't know if I'll ever go up to those 155's...just saying if I ever do upgrade, that's as big as I'd go. This truck will never see the track, never be hooked to a sled. It's my work horse, and if I'm tearing it down, might as well make a few beneficial upgrades to help her do just that...do work harder yet more efficiently.

Thanks for the info. This will more than likely be the route I take.

Fantom · Apr 28, 2014

I can't say anything for the barder stage 1, but lag with the KC 1.5 is damn near non existent. Over the past year I've run 4 different turbos, including an stock with wicked wheel, MTW, powermax, and the KC, which is by far the best.

04 f350 · Apr 29, 2014

I'm running a barder stage 2 with my 205s and I love it, spools great and runs like a scalded dog, BRP has my truck and the tuning dialed in just right.