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Looking to replace my turbo after vanes seizing on towing trip. The last time I cleaned it, the center section was pretty pitted. My engine is completely stock. I don't have tunes and do not want to add them, truck has plenty of power for me. I am concerned about RELIABILITY over all else.
Considering a Power Max with Riff Raff wheel. Seems as though the Riff Raff wheel helps to eliminate some of the tubo lag. The other turbo that I am considering is the KC Stage 1 turbo.
I have read that the Power Max has upgraded design features to help reduce cleaning necessity. I'm not sure which Garrett unit KC uses as the base turbo. I want to ensure that the turbo I select has the latest design to reduce the chance of sticking vanes or unison ring and has low end power with the least turbo lag.
Don't have any experience or feedback on the Powermax but I will caution you in a direction that is not stock if that is what you want to stay with as you mention.
You already have a turbo, it just needs refreshing. Why spend more than a grand for an aftermarket part that may require you to modify the PCM and FICM?
If you were previously happy with the turbo's OEM performance, just clean it up with a simple kit or have someone do it for you.
You can polish down the pits. There's even a tutorial on it.
Powermax may be a better fit for performance tunes with or without larger sticks, I also hear it delivers a slower spool up due to a larger wheel.
All I'm saying is if you aren't going to push more fuel, you might want to keep it stock if that's your goal.
If you go with a powermax you will need custom tunes. When I drove my pickup from the shop home (where I left my tuner) The thing was a dog and the turbo lag was alot worse then stock. Gearhead tunes and alas 40 I couldn't be happier with it
I just installed a new Powermax and RiffRaff billet wheel on my Excursion as part of a major string of upgrades. I rebuilt my stock injectors with new spool valves, 30% over nozzles, solenoids and new o-rings. I kept my stock fuel system other than a blue spring and adjustable fuel pressure regulator to crank up my fuel pressure to 65-68psi. I already had Gearhead SRL+, unlimited towing and 8k tow tunes from Matt.
Made a decision. Charlie at KC Turbos is fixing me up with a 2007 stock turbo and billet wheel. I won't need any tunes and the wheel should reduce turbo lag. Probably won't do the work until April or early May; spring honey do's on the list. I'll update after I get it installed.
