Turbonetics Stage 1 turbo installed

pwerwagn · 03-05-2008, 05:46 PM

So, I decided to give the ball bearing turbo another shot. I got a new stage 1 turbonetics turbo (same turbo as the old edge jammer ball bearing).

If any of you remember previously, LOtero and I both tried the Edge ball bearing and it sucked. We couldnt make it work right at all. Well, this one is a lot different. sounds different, spools better, and pulls harder. I think there was obviously something wrong with the old one (which we still couldnt get replaced under warranty...but thats another story).

I really am liking this turbo. I replaced a nice dodgezilla with it (the DZ was a city diesel, had the good comp wheel, 14cm housing ported, banks wg actuator, etc). This turbo has a lot less compressor noise in the cab (the DZ was a bit much at times). the exhaust note is nice. A lot deeper due to the larger wheel/housing.

As far as performance goes, this turbo spools just as quick as the DZ for normal driving. While accelerating hard, it is a little laggier. It likes the top end the best, but still makes great boost down low. It seems to be a great towing turbo too. At a 55mph cruise, its making somewhere around 5psi. 0-10 psi is real quick. From there on its real linear. It doesnt have that "hit" that a lot of turbos do, but it pulls hard. Its a very decieving power. Just by feel, it doesnt feel fast. but if you either watch the speedo, or race someone, its definitley faster. It just doesnt feel it.

One note though, I didnt have my 4K's in the truck when I first installed the turbo and it didnt work all that well. After putting the 4k's in, it works much better. even down low. I think partly the problem was the turbo would really start pulling a short time before I defueled and it made it seem sluggish. The dodgezilla turbine choked the engine before the defueling was that noticeable, whereas the BB turbo makes it obvious its defueling when it falls on its face.

In all Ive seen somewhere between 150* and Id guess 250* of EGT drop, with cruise EGT only up by about 25* or so.

I will probably have TN upgrade it to the 66 wheel sometime to see how that works out as well.

--Jeff