Lots of the common mods on my engine, but stock HPOP and injectors.

Pulling up Clyde Mtn yesterday I was getting over 29 psi of boost from the stock turbo with stock compressor wheel.

Next mod is going to the new Gen 2 WW which could increase the boost to as high as 43 psi.

Should I be worried about blowing a head gasket at that boost level?

I sort of thought I'd be safe with the stock HPOP & sticks...

 

Boost is boost, whether you have big sticks or not. What I would be more concerned about is back pressure until you get ya wheel. The main advantage of the wheel is back pressure is kept in check on the stock turbo. In regards to HG's or studs - when you up or above 40psi.

 

I know my turbo is getting 'surge' at high (for stock) boost - I can hear the fluttering/pulsating noise - it sounds a bit like a cheap ricer blow-off valve - but continuous pulsing.

The G2 WW should solve that problem - the explanation I saw was that the surge is a cavitation issue on the inlet side wheel rather than back pressure affecting the exhaust side of the turbo.

Anyway, the shiny new G2WW arrived today. Out of respect for Diesel Site no pics or comments until I've run it past them.

 

You are right in relation to the surge. But you should realise that BP will cause more damage to your engine, than surge in relation to your turbo. Pushin 30psi out of a stock blower will give you BP. The cool thing about that wheel is you can get 40psi out of it with out increasing turbine speed and the all important BP is kept well in check for that kind of PSI.
SOOOO for little expense you get ya surge sorted, you can achieve 40psi out of a GTP38 and you win on BP.

 

OK, is there any tell tale signs that I should be watching out for regarding engine-threatening levels of BP?

I was sort of figuring that I had any BP issues avoided with the 4" TB exhaust I now have and the fact that I will never be pushing anything like 500+ HP out of my set up (hence to qualification of stock HPOP & injectors).

But I would prefer NOT to learn about it the HARD WAY THIS TIME !

40 psi out of a stock blower for a $200 WW upgrade is a lot cheaper that a GTP38 - but not if the result is a BP issue leading to an engine failure !

I have been thinking of the BP as the pressure in the exhast AFTER the tubo. But the engine damaging BP would be pressure in the headers and up-pipes BEFORE the turbo. I can see if this pressure got too great the exhaust gases wouldn't get out of the cylinders quick enough and pressure would build inside the engine and blow a head gasket or worse.

Given the inlet and exhaust turbines are running at the same speed, is the exhast BP BEFORE the turbo roughly the same as the boost pressure?

If the Gen2 WW will achieve 43 psi then maybe I NEED to be getting the HD headstuds now!