Turbo help
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 20
From: Denton, TX
These are still unicorn farts...we keep hearing about them, but no one has one.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 523
Likes: 9
From: Carrollton, Ga
Oh they do exist. I would link a vender who sells them and is currently running a couple on his trucks, but he is not a sponsor for this forum. Unicorn farts, on the other hand, do not exist.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Asheville-where weird is
A link to the KC turbo site with a little more detail:
7.3 Powerstroke KC38r Stage 2 turbo - Complete Turbos - 7.3L Powerstroke - Products
There are also posts on FB regarding the KC38r.
I helped a member of my family replace and install a KC38r as a replacement for a 38r three weekends ago. The KC38r comes with the upgraded billet wheel that will cost you $200 additional at most places. It also comes with a billet Bighead WGC. The compressor and exhaust wheels are larger than the 38r. As mentioned, it is rebuildable although I am not certain how valuable this feature is over the long haul. I guess it depends upon where it may fail in comparison to where the 38r fails.
He chose the .84AR exhaust side on the KC38r as opposed to the 1.0 on the 38r for a faster spool. He is running 160/?...it is a secret, 4" back, 6637 and Gearhead tuning.
He says there is a noticeable difference between the two turbos with the KC38r winning by lowering EGT's by about 120-150*F.
I have ridden in the truck while towing. Out of the hole empty there is a slight difference favoring the KC38r; however, when towing 10k, the KC38r is superior. It spools quicker and EGT's are definitely lower. I would assume that this is due to it flowing more air since nothing else has changed on his truck. MAP and EBP are almost 1:1.
7.3 Powerstroke KC38r Stage 2 turbo - Complete Turbos - 7.3L Powerstroke - Products
There are also posts on FB regarding the KC38r.
I helped a member of my family replace and install a KC38r as a replacement for a 38r three weekends ago. The KC38r comes with the upgraded billet wheel that will cost you $200 additional at most places. It also comes with a billet Bighead WGC. The compressor and exhaust wheels are larger than the 38r. As mentioned, it is rebuildable although I am not certain how valuable this feature is over the long haul. I guess it depends upon where it may fail in comparison to where the 38r fails.
He chose the .84AR exhaust side on the KC38r as opposed to the 1.0 on the 38r for a faster spool. He is running 160/?...it is a secret, 4" back, 6637 and Gearhead tuning.
He says there is a noticeable difference between the two turbos with the KC38r winning by lowering EGT's by about 120-150*F.
I have ridden in the truck while towing. Out of the hole empty there is a slight difference favoring the KC38r; however, when towing 10k, the KC38r is superior. It spools quicker and EGT's are definitely lower. I would assume that this is due to it flowing more air since nothing else has changed on his truck. MAP and EBP are almost 1:1.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 536
Likes: 2
From: N. Va.
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Because racetruck
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 104
From: Monterey Bay, CA
A link to the KC turbo site with a little more detail:
7.3 Powerstroke KC38r Stage 2 turbo - Complete Turbos - 7.3L Powerstroke - Products
There are also posts on FB regarding the KC38r.
I helped a member of my family replace and install a KC38r as a replacement for a 38r three weekends ago. The KC38r comes with the upgraded billet wheel that will cost you $200 additional at most places. It also comes with a billet Bighead WGC. The compressor and exhaust wheels are larger than the 38r. As mentioned, it is rebuildable although I am not certain how valuable this feature is over the long haul. I guess it depends upon where it may fail in comparison to where the 38r fails.
He chose the .84AR exhaust side on the KC38r as opposed to the 1.0 on the 38r for a faster spool. He is running 160/?...it is a secret, 4" back, 6637 and Gearhead tuning.
He says there is a noticeable difference between the two turbos with the KC38r winning by lowering EGT's by about 120-150*F.
I have ridden in the truck while towing. Out of the hole there is a slight difference favoring the KC38r; however, when towing 10k, the KC38r is superior. It spools quicker and EGT's are definitely lower. I would assume that this is due to it flowing more air since nothing else has changed on his truck. MAP and EBP are almost 1:1.
7.3 Powerstroke KC38r Stage 2 turbo - Complete Turbos - 7.3L Powerstroke - Products
There are also posts on FB regarding the KC38r.
I helped a member of my family replace and install a KC38r as a replacement for a 38r three weekends ago. The KC38r comes with the upgraded billet wheel that will cost you $200 additional at most places. It also comes with a billet Bighead WGC. The compressor and exhaust wheels are larger than the 38r. As mentioned, it is rebuildable although I am not certain how valuable this feature is over the long haul. I guess it depends upon where it may fail in comparison to where the 38r fails.
He chose the .84AR exhaust side on the KC38r as opposed to the 1.0 on the 38r for a faster spool. He is running 160/?...it is a secret, 4" back, 6637 and Gearhead tuning.
He says there is a noticeable difference between the two turbos with the KC38r winning by lowering EGT's by about 120-150*F.
I have ridden in the truck while towing. Out of the hole there is a slight difference favoring the KC38r; however, when towing 10k, the KC38r is superior. It spools quicker and EGT's are definitely lower. I would assume that this is due to it flowing more air since nothing else has changed on his truck. MAP and EBP are almost 1:1.
Because racetruck
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 104
From: Monterey Bay, CA
Hopefully the KC38R isn't like their 6.0L turbos. They were all the rage until people actually started running them. Then it was thread after thread of them blowing up and coming apart.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Asheville-where weird is
Is it just me or does it scream of made in China? It isn't like he is casting these in his back yard, so it makes you wonder where they are coming from. No OE manufacturers have these parts. Would be interesting to know. The other issue I am wondering about is the back pressure being 1:1 and a .84 A/R housing don't add up. Back pressure increases with a small housing which is why we use the 1.0 a lot.
He has about 4k miles on it now and others had about 30k miles on theirs when he made the decision. Time will tell.
He has grenaded more than one 6.0L, so that is why he is back with the 7.3L.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,399
Likes: 188
From: Norco,CA
I think the point here was money with the original posted. He would be money a head with the 38R and intake and be very happy. I'm with duck fan on this, don't know enough on the KC. My 2cents. Good post jhl3, have to keep track.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,910
Likes: 2
From: Hat Creek Ca
Nick, one key point in your situation is that you stated that you are moving to Ca. I seriously doubt that anything other than a stock turbo will pass smog here unless it is visually the same.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,910
Likes: 2
From: Hat Creek Ca
So it looks the same visually? Good to know.I know that some smog techs are more user friendly than others. I had one that balked at my AFE Bladerunner intake manifold even though I had the CARB stickers to go with it. Another shop had no problem.