Part 1: Turbo Decision. Part 2: Turbo is rebuilt. Part 3: Turbo wasn't getting oil.

So my turbo as it sits needs a complete rebuild. So here are my choices and reasoning:

1.) Rebuild turbo - $900. It's a $2200 turbo. It makes great power, spools quickly, ceramic ball bearing, would have the compressor housing bored with a new wheel making it an 82mm, and would install right back into place with no modifications needed to existing plumbing, downpipe, etc. It would have a one year warranty which is the same as for a new turbo. Minimal tuning, if any, would be required.

2.) Get a Master Power T76 from Allen - $. Turbo is extremely similar to the Turbonetics specs, smaller than the 80mm so faster spooling, journal bearings so longer lasting than the ball bearings in the 80mm, my downpipe would have to be removed and have a 3'' flange welded on, and truck would have to be retuned due to different flow rates. Some replumbing required since the 80mm is water-cooled and the MP isn't.

Thoughts? I'm leaning towards a rebuild.

mp

Yeah...rebuild. Go big or go home.

Your motor is built right for a larger turbo. You have the thing dialed in pretty well. I say rebuild it and stick with the larger unit...

as little as i know, i would lean that way too, i like what you got and prob thro down more hp, plus its easier, does allens have warranty?

honestly its easier to have yours rebuilt. it will be more effort and money to go smaller

if this was from scratch i would go mp76 but since yoru truck is already laid out for the 80 go fix that

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Originally Posted by DamnYankee

So my turbo as it sits needs a complete rebuild. So here are my choices and reasoning:

1.) Rebuild turbo - $900. It's a $2200 turbo. It makes great power, spools quickly, ceramic ball bearing, would have the compressor housing bored with a new wheel making it an 82mm, and would install right back into place with no modifications needed to existing plumbing, downpipe, etc. It would have a one year warranty which is the same as for a new turbo. Minimal tuning, if any, would be required.

2.) Get a Master Power T76 from Allen - $xxx. Turbo is extremely similar to the Turbonetics specs, smaller than the 80mm so faster spooling, journal bearings so longer lasting than the ball bearings in the 80mm, my downpipe would have to be removed and have a 3'' flange welded on, and truck would have to be retuned due to different flow rates. Some replumbing required since the 80mm is water-cooled and the MP isn't.

Thoughts? I'm leaning towards a rebuild.

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Ummm..... Get Nawz for 500.00 :doofus: Ball Bearing and water cooled..... double negative....... you need a turbo timer moze... you killed your turbo in the parking lot next to me doing dounuts then turning the truck off... then fire it up.. figure 8s .. and parked again..... I like bushing turbos......

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Originally Posted by casey23

Ummm..... Get Nawz for 500.00 :doofus:

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Don't listen to him...he knows nothing about big turbos... :spit:

Good point about the TT Casey. :thumb:

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Originally Posted by casey23

Ummm..... Get Nawz for 500.00 :doofus: Ball Bearing and water cooled..... double negative....... you need a turbo timer moze... you killed your turbo in the parking lot next to me doing dounuts then turning the truck off... then fire it up.. figure 8s .. and parked again..... I like bushing turbos......

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Ok in my defense I don't do donuts or figure 8's ... just trounce on it some...but I hear ya.

Why is water cooled a negative?

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Originally Posted by DamnYankee

Ok in my defense I don't do donuts or figure 8's ... just trounce on it some...but I hear ya.

Why is water cooled a negative?

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No.. its the ball bearing..... I like water cooled alot... helps keep IAT down.. under hood heat... its good stuff..... KC

refurb what you have and be done with it

Yeah I'm leaning that way Greg.

It will cost you more to do less. Go big.

Rebuild what ya got. So you don't gotta re tune, change anythin or buy more stuff. http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/498c4970.gif

i would say MP76 just because its cheaper in the long run to rebuild, and will make plenty of power. If you want to 'step up the game' then a BW S480 is another nice step, can be had for sub $1100, will last a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time and if/when it does go, cheap to rebuild. just my .02

on the other hand, rebuild the one you got, and have it go out on you again to spend more cash. I've never been a fan of the ceramic ball bearing turbos and have not really had many last like the good ol journal bearing turbo's.

you know how i feel on this moze, the bigger you go right now the more you are hurting yourself. with those 2 choices, of course...i say t76

if your truck wasnt a dd i would say stick with the ball bearing 80. The journal bearing will last longer. just what ive gathered

MP doesn't make anything larger than the 76 do they?

If Mic is right about the ceramic vs journal, then time to swap. Or you could do this all again in a year?

I decided to just rebuild. I don't want to mess with changing flanges on the downpipe, retuning, re-plumbing...

Next time I'll catch it before it gets this bad so the rebuild will be cheaper.

I gaggree. :badteef:

yeah sounds like the right choice. for the cost of the other you have money for another rebuild and some.

that is a very nice turbo, im sure you will be happy getting it back on...i know i will my gas mileage sucks with your truck being broke :P

I would just rebuild the one you have and just do the upgrade.

They're rebuilding it today and will ship it tomorrow. Will have it by Monday and driving by Tuesday.

wow nice turn around! and i like your decision also hopefully this wont happen to often

R U fixing Virgil's Tahoe while you're driving it? It looked like it needed a face lift last time I saw it. :sad:

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Originally Posted by RedHeartbeat

R U fixing Virgil's Tahoe while you're driving it? It looked like it needed a face lift last time I saw it. :sad:

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it got its face lift, just put the last piece it needed on last night

good call moze...just let it idle a lil before you turn your truck off to cool the bearings

Good move Moze:thumb:. See how long this one lasts now and assess the issue next time it goes out?

ok what are some guidelines for proper bearing cooling?

Read this (I know it is for FF trucks, but I would figure the same applies):
Turbo Cool down time - EVT Techtalk Forums

Reading Buick forums, they tend to lean towards 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Thanks SC. :)

5 minutes or a timer FTW.

I think I got yelled at before but I thought most people had a timer.

a timer wouldn't be a bad idea at all

Well Justin with Comp Turbo just called me and the turbo is rebuilt and will be sent out tomorrow and will be at my work on Monday.

He said he's virtually positive that the turbo failed because it wasn't getting oil. The fitting on the turbo was totally plugged with "debris". He said there was some metal shavings in there which worries me. Always something...

Anyway, I guess that's something I'll be checking periodically.

Good call moze. Are you running synthetic oil? What happened with your turbo is why i got the viper alarm it has a built in timer. I want to put an oil temp gauge and tap it into the turbo drain and see how hot the oil is coming off the turbo.

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Originally Posted by DamnYankee

The fitting on the turbo was totally plugged with "debris". He said there was some metal shavings in there which worries me.

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Oh no. I would have to say you should look further into that. Maybe pull the pan?

I think (Virgil suggested) it may be shavings from when I drilled the oil pan for the return.

Man I hope so.

Last time I saw this, a minivan went out of commission.

You think your oil filter failed?

man shavings are no wano...