OK Oh Wise Men,
My turbo has been blowing more oil. I already suspected/knew that one.
My 2000 7.3 F350's clock reads 161K. I think/suspect the turbo is stock.
Quickly getting ready for a tow the 5th wheel to Idaho from Kalifornia.
Lots of mountains. 2K+ mile trip. Really don't need to blow a Turbo in Nevada desert or mountain grade in Idaho.

Question is: Rebuild, for less $$ go to RiffRaff anti surge Borg Warner wheel for about$650 plus my time and paying my buddy mech, or order a new GTP38R with whatever wheel that comes with for $1250?

Read the reviews on the 38R. Sounds like slightly more power & boost, slightly less EGT, and more noise in the cab.

And Your thoughts are?

 

Where in CA are you now? Me, I'd rebuild it with riffraff 4x4 wheel and be done. I mention the wheel, because you don't want turbo surge with stock wheel

 

The KC38R is an option too. As I understand it the two (38R and KC38R) are very similar although the KC38R is capable of being rebuilt if the need arose.

CNC Fabrication LLC, Diesel Performance, KC TURBOS L99-03 KC38R

I went with a 360 bearing rebuild kit from SPTurbo and a 4/4 wheel from RiffRaff and think it was a good compromise in order to freshen up the turbo and increase power. When it comes time in the future, I will probably go with a KC38R.

 

I'm in Orange County.
So does the Riffraff rebuild kit come with bearings?
How difficult the rebuild? Pretty straight forward?

 

Rebuild is straight forward. There are many write-ups and videos. I went with the 38R after having run a stocker with the WW 1st generation route for about 7 years. I have to say, the difference was VERY noticeable between the two. Now I also have 160cc injectors with 30% oversized nozzles and a T500 HPOp, but with decent tuning even stock injectors, HPOP and that 38R make a nice combo...just saying.

 

Is that right? I'm here at 91/57. Reason I ask, is because I have a fresh built turbo(spare) with stock wheel if you were in that much of a hurry to get on road.

 

While you have the turbo out,now is a great time to replace the stock up pipes,many of us went with Dorman, myself included, no problems.Also check the cac boots,if stock,riff raff has real nice ones.I don't know what time frame or budget you have,I'm just throwing out some ideas.
Oh and check those hpop lines.No Dorman there,Motorcraft only.