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Doing some reading I happen to find out some good information on the 2015 turbos that I thought I would share with you guys. For those of you expecting a 600hp capable turbo (I was), you need to take a look at these pictures.
Here is the 2011-2014 turbo.
Here is the 2015 turbo (these are not my pictures, they are from the internet)
And here is a picture of an actual Garrett GT3788
As you can see, the 2015 turbo is just a modified version of the 2011-2014 single sequential turbo. Will it be more reliable the the previous version, stock or tuned? More than likely. Will it be more powerful when tuned? Only time will tell but from the reading I did, the few people that pulled the new turbos apart were greatly disappointed on how small the turbine wheel was. Ford would have been way smarter to just get a real GT3788 like the GM uses in the Maxipads.
What I'm wondering since they are very similar is how hard would it be to swap turbos from a 2015 to a 2011-2014 truck. I know they changed several other things, but I would think the turbos would be almost a straight swap.
What I'm wondering since they are very similar is how hard would it be to swap turbos from a 2015 to a 2011-2014 truck. I know they changed several other things, but I would think the turbos would be almost a straight swap.
At a minimum, you're looking at different air intake piping from the airbox to the turbo. Looks like the outlet is similar for the charged air. Then you also need to look into differences on coolant and oil feed lines as well. Then you have to see if the pedestal would have any differences in bolt locations. Then this is just the mechanical bits.
Since this is a VG turbo, you'd have to have the software to properly change the vane geometry (I'm assuming Ford stuck with variable vane versus variable nozzle) for a given engine load. Then you'd have to come up with some way to activate the vanes to give proper exhaust braking as well since the new turbo has that capability. It's really the electronic/programming side that I can see as being a pain...
Ford is probably doing this b/c of the Tunning community and the 6.4.
6.4 had an ample air supply so it was super easy to add fuel. I am sure Ford is doing everything they can to be sure those people who want to add serious power have to significantly modify and void their warranty. This makes warranty denial much easier.
Ford didn't build these engines to be modified, that's why they have small connecting rods. Less material = less cost (for Ford) + lighter weight = more mpg = more happy customers. Ford also designed these turbos to run at stock levels, so they don't care how much power it'll make tuned. They probably had too many 2011-2014 style turbos left or put to much money into the original design to just throw away so instead of completely ditching it they simply modified it to save money. I would say if you're looking for cheap, reliable performance at stock power a 2015 turbo swap might be worth doing but if you're like me and want more power then don't waste your money. I'll save my money and buy an Elite VGT Turbo kit.
Doing some reading I happen to find out some good information on the 2015 turbos that I thought I would share with you guys. For those of you expecting a 600hp capable turbo (I was), you need to take a look at these pictures.
Here is the 2011-2014 turbo.
Here is the 2015 turbo (these are not my pictures, they are from the internet)
And here is a picture of an actual Garrett GT3788
As you can see, the 2015 turbo is just a modified version of the 2011-2014 single sequential turbo. Will it be more reliable the the previous version, stock or tuned? More than likely. Will it be more powerful when tuned? Only time will tell but from the reading I did, the few people that pulled the new turbos apart were greatly disappointed on how small the turbine wheel was. Ford would have been way smarter to just get a real GT3788 like the GM uses in the Maxipads.
Hence the reason I'm keeping my '13! I would have no problem doing a quarter mile run against a '15 all day long, any takers?
I think, while not having the punch on the low end like an 11-14, a '15 will walk an 11-14 on the top end. Everyone has said that has them that the mid and top end performance was improved.
Hey, in theory you should be able to throw more juice at it now. One of the big problems IIRC with the engine design is that the rods aren't big on low-end boost. Now that the boost has been moved up the RPM range a bit, that shouldn't be too big a problem anymore. Trade-offs.
I personally don't see the issue with retaining the same turbine as the current turbo. In fact, I think its good.
The turbine side dictates "spool". Having the smaller housing means retaining relatively good throttle response/lower rpm performance. Garrett GT37 88's are good turbo's, but they were designed for gas engines, which on a diesel engine (due to different AFR's and airflow requirements) typically means the turbine side is too large for the compressor. A GT37 88 might help in making crazy tuned hp, but for 99.99% of folks that keep their truck stock, it only hinders performance.
I think, while not having the punch on the low end like an 11-14, a '15 will walk an 11-14 on the top end. Everyone has said that has them that the mid and top end performance was improved.
I have no doubt that it will make more power and will be more reliable at the same power level, I'm just doubting it'll push as much air as an actually GT3788.
Originally Posted by darren32
Thanks Randy
So why did they go away from the dual compressor? Cost? Reliability? Both?
They changed the design for reliability. The 11-14 turbos we're know to blow up prematurely, as you found out having to replace one with only 125,000km lol.
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