my turbo is on it's way out, and I'd like to go with a ball bearing turbo. So far i've found ats, and garrett/ Both seem to be the same, except for the price garrett about 300 cheaper. does anyone have any input? pros, cons

i have ats's three posistion chip,full 4" exhaust, 6637 filter mod

 

Here's a quote from another turbo-related thread:

 

i'm looking for help on deciding which turbo i should use. Garrett has been around for a while, so i'm leaning towards them. Still looking for opinions

 

bloomy,

edub32 gave you a quote that contained the exact turbo recommended. The Garrett GTP38R - it is also called the 'ball-bearing' or BB turbo. It is almost an exact bolt in replacement for the stock turbo and works better in every way.

 

i should have said more opininons. i'm going to purchase the garrett thanks for your help

 

How do you know your turbo is on its way out? Just curious, as to how you came to such a conclusion.

 

I'll throw my vote in for the Garrett GTP38R, unless you want to modify heavily it'll be about the best choice as far as I'm concerned. Just my 2 cents.

Max

 

whats the advantages of a ball bearing turbo opposed to whats in the trucks now?

 

The ball bearing turbo will spool up faster and create more boost due to less drag. More boost equals a better combustion and more power as well as lower EGT's. It's nice that it is a direct bolt-in as well, instead of having to replumb everything.

Max

 

i bet the banks technicooler system with 3.5'' pipes would make that turbo shine!

 

Doesn't the E series vans come with a variation of the gtp38r? I know they used that for the vans and some guys have used them as upgrades.

 

no, the van turbo has a non wastegated 1.15 ar exhaust housing where the f- series turbo has a .84 ar wastgated housing. other than that they are the same

 

i installed the garret gtp 38r turbo and love the whistle and the install was a breeze
and now i can upgrade to larger injectors

 

spool up time has increased, lower fuel mileage (normally about 21 mpg, now at 19) also about every 10,000 mi, i feel the play in the bearings in the turbo, at new it had no play. now it's beginning to feel loose. at 105,000 mi on my first turbo, i had similar simptoms, and at 110,000 mi the compressor wheel started to rub the housing. i now have 190,000 mi on the truck

 

The only difference between the Garett and ATS -38R's is the intake housing. The Garret housing is a little bit thicker casting and it can be clocked in any position. There is no difference at all in the performance between the two.

I put the Garrett version on my truck...still love it. It's one mean sounding *****' at 38 psi.