While I am on my second turbo replaced under Ford warranty in April 2006 I may have early symptoms of sticking turbo however currently out of warranty. As I am mechanically inclined, or as much I can be for do it yourselfer, I will be attempting to do the suggested technical bulletin of cleaning the turbo myself if required.

However since I will likley require a turbo replacement in the future as I plan on keeping the truck till death do us part, I am seeking advise what turbo replacements have been the best particularly in the way of reliability and service life.

I have researched the forum but found no conclusive results that inspired confidence.

I see aftermarket vendors such as those sponsored on this forum have improved stock variable geometry turbos. But what exactly has been improved to encourage improvement or facts on actual trouble/mainteance free life expectancy.

Other options I see is fixed geomtry turbo's with waste gates, ceramic inside, water cooled and etc.

Also as I can find relatively cheap replacement stock turbos what can I do to improve the stock turbo. What specific turbo and/or parts to look for my 03 application.

Lots of information and options but what has appeared to give the best results for modestly tuned stock truck as listed in my signature. I do not care for power gains but do care for maximum life and MPG.

Greatly apreciate the help in advance.

 

Why don't you talk to your tune guy and see if he can wip u a tune for you to address the turbo issue? Custom tunes...
or am I an idiot as i don't fully understand your problem..

At least I tried,
Alex

 

I would go call Matt @ Spartan Tech. Have him set you up with a turbo, and maybe some injectors

 

BC, you should consider a non-vgt. However if you tow you might want to stick with the vgt. My next turbo will definitely be a non-vgt and I do not tow.

 

Do we need to change anything with the programming of the truck if we go to a non vgt?

 

yea for sure.

 

Yes you have to because your truck's computer will be looking for the VGT, so doing a custom tune is paramount. You don't have to worry bout towing with a non-vgt turbo, I do all the time and I would say that it is better then the vgt one. Little slower in spooling, but it doesn't take long to get it going(where the vgt comes in). Non-VGT also has fewer parts to break. Everything that you see in my siggy gets used for towing(in fact tomorrow I'll be hauling supplies from co-op back to the house with the trailer).

 

I do have a SCTII with Spartan custom tunes. I sent Matt an e-mail yesterday.

I have 130,000km's and seems that if this turbo is gone, and since I m out of warrnty I just do not want to fork out my pocket money for another turbo only to be in the same place 2 more years down the road.

I have a truck camper towing a boat in the summer and towing a trailer with ATV's for the fall winter hunting. So I do thing VGT is my best bet but I just need to know which VGT has been the most reliable and longest lasting.

 

directfordparts.com lists the '03 turbo for around $900 I think.

 

Y is that? Only really two benefits that I can see with the VGT:

1. Use as an "jake" brake

I had that, but I don't miss it

2. Quicker initial spooling

You could go to a smaller non-vgt turbo and get that without sacrificing much in the way of horsepower.

Even if you have the newer one coated and heat treated and all that, it is still going to require more care on your end to make sure everything is working correctly. I will also say this, a non-vgt turbo is alot lighter and easier to get in and out then one with a VGT.

 

What I did was to get a spare turbo from ebay and keep it clean and ready togo. When my turbo starts sticking I just change it out and I am on my way. These turbos usually only need cleaning and nothing else to keep them going. I found a brand new rebuilt turbo by ford with the latest up grades to it and the gaskets in the ford box for 400.00.
I took the turbo apart to inspect it and it is like brand new. It is the exact replacement for what is already on my truck. Just another option to consider.

 

What is the part number on that turbo?

 

JMO but some guys don't want to be switching/cleaning turbos when needed and want something that they can install and have it last for a while. this is the impression i get from the OP. i know when my turbo goes out i will either replace with a larger non vgt, if i have the money, or get a rebuilt or used stock '03 turbo because i love the sound.

 

You'll love my 64mm turbo then. I had matt's old 03 turbo on my truck for awhile before I got this one. While you have to get up to about 30 for it to start whistling, it will last all the way to highway speed and be screeming by then if you have it straightpiped. I can't tell you how many people rolled up their windows with the new turbo vs. the old 03 I had(unless i was going thru a subdivision then the 03 turbo wins).

 

Motor craft number 5C3Z 6K682-A
or 5C3Z 6K682-AA

Garret number GT3782VA