I am looking to replace the stock GT38 on my 99 motor. this motor is out right now as I am working on a body swap to a 77 Supercab. The motro has 515k kilometers on it and the stock turbo appears to be tired. I have been throwing around the idea of keeping it stock or upgrading it. This truck will haul my 25' float around in the summer and do a moderate amount of general towing/hauling. I don't plan to hop it up too much. It will be getting a chip and in the future if it needs injectors I will likely go a size up. So in the interest of keeping it a reliable and efficient daily driver while also having moderate power numbers what do the experts think? Stock Turbo or upgraded?
I have been looking at Spoologic turbos and think that I am going to try them out. I have been doing a lot of reading and haven't heard anything scary about them and a fair bit of good stuff, nobody seems to have long term reliability experience though, I know they are way cheap compared to the "Good Ones" but I am on a tight budget.
I have been trying to decide between these two.
https://prosourcediesel.com/shop/bra...t-wheel-black/
https://prosourcediesel.com/shop/bra...charger-black/

They also have this Stage 1 Turbo. What is the difference here between the Stock ones?
https://prosourcediesel.com/shop/bra...series-trucks/

 

Do a KC Turbo balanced assembly https://kcturbos.com/collections/7-3...32957250404440
or a KC stock plus, which is the balanced assembly in a new turbo body.
or maybe a KC stage 1 63/68 .84 if you think you may bump up to 160/30 injectors at some point

 

I'd throw a 360 bearing kit in there and your choice of upgraded compressor wheels.

 

I second doing a KC balanced assembly (comes with rebuild kit) or rebuilding with a 360° kit and riffraff billet wheel.

 

Stock turbo with KC s300 exhaust wheel and riff Raff 4x4 compressor wheel

 

Be aware the GTP38R is not the same as an OEM GTP38. Widely considered an upgrade as it flows more to higher RPMs, but with the downside that when it craps out it is not rebuildable.

KC balanced assy recommended by ESwift is best bang for buck for stockish+ power imo.

 

Thank You all for your advice and help.