What is a VAN turbo?!?!
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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What is a VAN turbo?!?!
I have been looking at turbos and trying to decide on one for a couple weeks now and i have looked at the aurora 3000, ball buster and garrett BB but i would like to know more about the van turbo....actually i would like to know anything about it lol. would it be better for my set-up and if so where do i find one?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
A van turbo is a stock turbo with a larger, non-wastegated exhaust housing. The stock turbo has a .84 A/R exh housing, the van turbo has a 1.15 A/R exhaust housing. If you're not going to get injectors, get this kit and you'll have similar to a van turbo:
eBay Motors: 99 03 POWERSTROKE TURBOCHARGER PEDESTAL & TURBO FLANGE (item 310124487475 end time Feb-28-09 23:27:14 PST)
eBay Motors: 99 03 POWERSTROKE TURBOCHARGER PEDESTAL & TURBO FLANGE (item 310124487475 end time Feb-28-09 23:27:14 PST)
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Then you want the bigger 1.15 A/R housing. That setup with big enough injectors will take you over the generally considered "safe" 400HP level. One guy was running something like 430HP on his forged rod engine with one.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
They pop up on ebay from time to time. That's where I got mine. Then I bought a rebuild kit, outlet adapter, and non-EBPV pedestal from Ron. And after that, an ATS compressor housing was put on. They're easily rebuildable with hand tools, so I think it's a great option for around the 400HP level.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Monroe VA
Joe how was the seat of the pants feel when you put that van turbo on? Have you had it Dyno'd since? I have been thinking of doing something with my trubo myself. I doubt I will ever get injectors(unless I hit the lottery and can afford another 7.3). I thought you had a thread on it but I cant find it. Also what was the cost on your setup? If you dont mind me asking.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
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From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
I want to get the bigger Turbo in a bad way. I think it would really help my setup
. Maybe soon if I can find 1 for a deal.
. Maybe soon if I can find 1 for a deal.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
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From: Sioux Falls, SD
The Van turbo is a very good deal as Joe said. I got lucky and scored one for $250 - threw a "Whicked Wheel" on it and it's been on my truck for about 50,000 miles. It helped reduce EGT's about 100 degrees and it handles the higher boost levels better than the stock unit. A very good mod if you tow alot. With the stock injectors, Van turbo & Tony's tuning I was at 309 hp.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
The van turbo is very much for the top end. With the bigger exhaust housing, it spools slower, so it needs a lot of fuel at the low end to get the turbo spinning. As far as the SOTP, it's a bit laggy at the bottom end, and WAY more responsive and not nearly the restriction on the top end, compared to the stock .84 exh housing. Before, if I nailed it on the top end, it petered out and the EGTs shot up, now the truck just keeps going until the HPOP runs out of steam. The EGTs would shoot up over 1500 on the top end due to the small exh housing, now it barely gets over 1200.
I got mine off eBay for $200, got a rebuild kit, outlet adapter, and non-EBPV stand from Ron's Turbo Service, for about $300, then put an ATS housing on it for a bit under $400. So I'm into mine for about $900, and I have a turbo that will take my up to 400+ HP, and I can rebuild it for $100 if need be.
I got mine off eBay for $200, got a rebuild kit, outlet adapter, and non-EBPV stand from Ron's Turbo Service, for about $300, then put an ATS housing on it for a bit under $400. So I'm into mine for about $900, and I have a turbo that will take my up to 400+ HP, and I can rebuild it for $100 if need be.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Monroe VA
Good deal. Thanks Rich and Joe. I have been towing alot more lately than I used to so it might would be a good investment, EGT wise but I dont really wanna loose a whole lot on the bottom end. Any advice on that? Ikinda doubt anything else will do me much good without sticks. Dunno?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Sioux Falls, SD
Tony adjusted the tuning for the van turbo for me before the single shot injectors. He took care of the lag at the bottom end. It's a much better turbo to tow with than the stock one, that's for sure.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
I'm still running the non-van turbo tunes, but the Extreme tune dumps so much fuel right away, the turbo lights pretty quick. I notice a little lag compared to before on the other tunes, but it's not that bad. Don't even try running it with the stock PCM tune. It's a huge laggy turd... 
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Monroe VA
Thanks guys. I may end up going this route but looks like I'll be dropping the Sledge...I mean Edge for something better. I figure the race tune on the sledge would probably get me going but I think I would have to do something better in the very near future. I'm going to keep an eye on Ebay for a van turbo in the mean time.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,241
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From: Powder Springs, East TN
Rich did you ever run your van turbo without the WW? I was thinking about tossing mine in there when I get mine put in. I bought a competely rebuilt van turbo for 275 bucks I am just waiting on it to get here now. I am excited about getting it put in one step closer to some hybrids.