Stock turbo upgrades

[nc1500]

While there may be hundreds of posts about this here, I won't be able to find any (as previously stated). So, here goes another Goober question...

What does everyone recommend to upgrade a stock turbo, meaning I want to basically keep what I've got, just make it more efficient and powerfull (not dyno killing power, mind you). I know they make different housings and impellers and such. Bang for the buck, what works and what's snake oil? Are there cheap mods I can do without buying anything? Does anyone do a ball bearing conversion? I thought I saw something on someone's website about a turbo upgrade with a couple of days turn around time.

Please point me in the right direction...

[MrJohnWayne]

I don't know of anyone that offers a ball bearing kit for the stock turbo... turbonetics and garret gtp38R are the only 2 ball bearing units for our trucks. if you had an older turbonetics ball buster they do offer a ball bearing cartridge for that but still not the stocker..

if you don't want to break the bank an ATS housing and a wicked wheel will eliminate surge. I'm not sure if they will cause more lag or not though.

[nc1500]

I have a Garrett turbo (don't know if this is a production unit or if Ford used different manufacturors). I've check out their website but don't see anything detailed.

[cchase]

Garrett is a stock ford turbo.

[Jesse.James]

more than likely its just the factory garrett turbo. im thinkin about upgradin mine too. i am goin to go with an ats housing and ww and a wastegate or a turbomaster wastegate controller.

[MidwestOffroad]

some things you can consider is changing the ehaust outlet to a 1.0 ar from banks or HHT to lower EGTs and speed up spooling and changing out the wastegate.. with that and a ATS housing you can have a similar setup as a aftermarket turbo.. assuming your turbo dosnet need a rebuild.