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Exactly my thoughts - I think I have heard of 1 or 2 ...... And they were beat in.
My 38r was purchased in March of 2009. It seems they had some tooling issues around that time. Mine developed a slight oil in the turbine housing that eventual got worse and would oil smoke out the exhaust until warmed up and excessively if run under high boost. I tried to get an exchange center cartridge, even trying to buy one outright new, but to no avail. I ended up buying a complete new turbo in 2013 and upgraded to the Riffraff 11 vane billet compressor wheel at that time. The new turbo has worked flawlessly.
Well with the stock turbo I already experience turbo surge with heavy loads or Colorado mountains if the cost to build the 38 to handle that is considerable less than the 38r and being able to rebuild in the event it goes out I would like to do that but I don't think I would pass the 375 to 400 threshold because of the trans its not build but it was rebuilt at 60k miles the truck now has 363k on it so they replaced the plastic parts in the 01-02 models trans with the original metal ones in the 99-00 (some guy who looked under the truck told me its a 5r100 but I doubt it)
Well with the stock turbo I already experience turbo surge with heavy loads or Colorado mountains if the cost to build the 38 to handle that is considerable less than the 38r and being able to rebuild in the event it goes out I would like to do that but I don't think I would pass the 375 to 400 threshold because of the trans its not build but it was rebuilt at 60k miles the truck now has 363k on it so they replaced the plastic parts in the 01-02 models trans with the original metal ones in the 99-00 (some guy who looked under the truck told me its a 5r100 but I doubt it)
Say what??? Who's been smoking something funny and blowing smoke where it don't belong? Sounds like you've been misinformed, Partner. Stick with the Brotherhood and we'll set you straight.
Well with the stock turbo I already experience turbo surge with heavy loads or Colorado mountains if the cost to build the 38 to handle that is considerable less than the 38r and being able to rebuild in the event it goes out I would like to do that but I don't think I would pass the 375 to 400 threshold because of the trans its not build but it was rebuilt at 60k miles the truck now has 363k on it so they replaced the plastic parts in the 01-02 models trans with the original metal ones in the 99-00 (some guy who looked under the truck told me its a 5r100 but I doubt it)
at higher altitude you can easily loose 10-20% air compared to sea level, so this definitely needs to be considered.
Originally Posted by mueckster
My 38r was purchased in March of 2009. It seems they had some tooling issues around that time. Mine developed a slight oil in the turbine housing that eventual got worse and would oil smoke out the exhaust until warmed up and excessively if run under high boost. I tried to get an exchange center cartridge, even trying to buy one outright new, but to no avail. I ended up buying a complete new turbo in 2013 and upgraded to the Riffraff 11 vane billet compressor wheel at that time. The new turbo has worked flawlessly.
Well that makes it 2 or 3 then........
edit: I assume you still would recommend the 38R as an option, correct?
My sons 38R went out a month after the warranty was up and Garrett took care of it free of charge. If I was driving in the higher elevations the 38R would be my choice bar none. I'm not even going to touch the trans comment from what a guy who got underneath and looked at it.
at higher altitude you can easily loose 10-20% air compared to sea level, so this definitely needs to be considered.
Well that makes it 2 or 3 then........
edit: I assume you still would recommend the 38R as an option, correct?
Yessir, that would be correct. Defects can and do happen. Anything that is mass produced falls prey to Murphy's Law. That's what quality control is for. My only problem is that I believe Garrett knew they had problems with a certain run of turbos, but didn't recall them or offer an extended warranty. Mine happened to exhibit signs of failure far enough past the warranty point that they were no longer responsible. It sucked that it happened, but I still feel they are great drop-in turbos, especially with a wheel upgrade.
So since it was rebuilt at 60k I know for sure its been in my family since it was new in 2002 still have the original bill of sale what do you think they did during the trans repair? New trans? Heavy gears? Or just another straight stock trans?
So since it was rebuilt at 60k I know for sure its been in my family since it was new in 2002 still have the original bill of sale what do you think they did during the trans repair? New trans? Heavy gears? Or just another straight stock trans?
That would be hard to say. I haven't seen the invoice. What was the cost? Who did the work? Does it mention anything about parts? It could be a stock build with only the replacement of the "mechanical diode" (common failure point) and direct drum to earlier version with a better direct drum/roller sprag clutch combo. I have rebuilt my own transmission, know the common failure/weak points, and am very familiar with the upgrades that can be done.
It was Done by the local fordhouse when my grandfather owned it I think back in 04-05. I've been assuming its been stock. It he may have the old receipt for it. But if its stock what can be done to make it reliable under the 375-400 HP range
At 5,500 feet this is how the graph changes compared to sea level. Keep in mind these points are referring to the top end of the operating range. I would ask Pocket (Curtis) and some of the other Colorado Powerstoker's on here about their real world experience at that elevation. Or Call Rocky in Fort Lupton (Rockin' S Performance).
It was Done by the local fordhouse when my grandfather owned it I think back in 04-05. I've been assuming its been stock. It he may have the old receipt for it. But if its stock what can be done to make it reliable under the 375-400 HP range
Mosty better clutches and upgrades to torque converter, valve bodies, pump, center support, certain snap rings, addressing clearances, and mods in regard to pressure loss and other lubrication issues. There are other hard parts that I recommend to upgrade, but without should still survive those expectations.
Ballpark price OK trans upgrades this is my first diesel to really upgrade in power I know the 7.3 engine in and out but Have never even opened up a transmission
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Who's been smoking something funny and blowing smoke where it don't belong? 
Sounds like you've been misinformed, Partner. Stick with the Brotherhood and we'll set you straight. 
