Larger Turbo

[Bart_3500]

While traveling this highways of Oregon, I met a man/wife who had recently turned in their 7.3 for a V10 motor home. He had a new(?) "larger turbo that he didn't install on his 7.3. What are the benefits/drawbacks of going to a larger compressor? "is it worth $500? I believe that for every action there's a reaction. What else would need to be done?
As usual, thanks for all your experience out there in FORD country.

[Phiber Optik]

Depends on what turbo it is, if it's a Garret GTP38R then grab it, they go for over $1600 new, they are similar to the stock model and drop in place.

Differences follow - the compressor inlet is 4" rather then the stock 3".
The 38R features ball bearing center section rather then the stock journal bearing.
The 38R is also slightly larger, but most claim it spools faster with less to no surge.

Garret sells the turbo with a new sillicone 4" intake duct to replace the stock 3" duct.

[layson]

Find out a little more information... If it is a GTP38R.. might be a good investment. Where was it at in oregon

[Bart_3500]

Thanks for the info. I've already changed the stock turbo housing for an ATS and it has the 4" inlet and tube. I'll contact that guy to see if he can tell me about the brand and model.
I love my Fords. 1957 Fairlane 500, 1966 Bronco (serious off roader), 1981 Bronco (gonna be an off roader someday) and of course my 02 PSD (best of the best)

[layson]

Get the numbers off the side of the turbo... that would suck to end up with a stocker with a larger housing...

[Bart_3500]

Originally Posted by layson

Get the numbers off the side of the turbo... that would suck to end up with a stocker with a larger housing...

Thanks, I'll do that. Years ago I had to have the stock turbo on my Cummins rebuilt. That cost $600. so even then it wouldn't be a bad deal, just not a great deal. Be it stock I'd just pass on it. I have a temp. controlled cool down on my engine to protect again hot shutdowns, so I feel my turbo will last a long time. Problem is I don't think that it was watched during the first 56K miles (prior owner). Time will tell.

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Last edited by Bart_3500 : 09-10-2009 at 09:14 AM.

[Bart_3500]

I finally got all the information on the turbo. It's a Garrett and here are the numbers.
383FEM13406
Part # 1831383C93
Serial # NFEM113406
Wheel has a # of 170293
On the side of it there's a "Power Max Turbo upgrade for 1999.5 - 2003 7.3 liter. Make any sense to anyone? The guy "thinks" he paid another guy $650 for the unit, which he says is complete not just the turbo, but housing and all. He wants to get his money out of it. He also said that the guy told him it had a Banks wheel on it, but no indication of that in the numbers. Also, suppost to have 10-15K miles on it. I have an ATS housing that has a larger (4") inlet on mine any ideas involving that.
Thanks for all the information.

[yoyoyoyo!]

first off info is a little confusing but from it i gathered a few things. first how were you able to see the part number off the wheel? I ask because usually the part number is on the underside of the wheel. This is a STOCK turbo with a wicked wheel, it is not bigger than stock. Your ATS housing would fit on this turbo.

Im guessing that you were talking about the box saying Power Max Turbo Upgrade, If so that guy got f ucked over because that would indicate that it was the GTP38r which is the Ball Bearing.

Bottom line is that he bought a STOCK turbo with a wicked wheel and whoever sold it to him put it in that box.

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Last edited by yoyoyoyo! : 11-04-2009 at 07:17 PM. Reason: spelling

[Bart_3500]

Thanks YO etc......... I think I'll pass on this unit. The guy I'm talking too is an older gentleman and it's a good possiblity that he got the bone from the first guy. My turbo is doing just fine so I'll leave it at that. Thanks again.

[DJM]

did the ATS housing make much of a differenceI already have a wicked wheel. think it would benefit any to get the ATS housing? My truck doesn't surge anymore with the WW just wonderin if it's worth the $400.