6.5L
Old Iron Runner
So I've stepped the turbo up again. I was running a HX35/40 turbo before. The specs on it were a 60x83 compressor wheel with a 70x60 turbine wheel in a 12cm housing. This was an amazing turbo for in town and great low end torque, but my one complaint with it had always been high cruising boost pressure (8-9psig at 70mph/2500rpm). So I decided to step the turbo up slightly again. I went to a true Holset HX40. The specs on this turbo are a billet 60x86 compressor wheel and a 76x64 turbine wheel in a 14cm wastegated housing. Overall, the upgrade was cheap. I bought all parts outright for around $600 and was able to space them out so the price hit wasn't big. First impressions are already that I love it! Cruising boost is now down to 3-4psi at 2500rpm/70mph. Much throatier exhaust note, and the powerband is immensly greater between 2300rpm-4100rpm. This upgrade REALLY woke the truck up. Spooling with the 60/64/14 is barely slower than the 60/60/12. It rests at low boost but when I throttle down, she just goes. I gave it a hit of WMI last night and all I can say is she is a rocket ship! I can easily tell a big gain in mid-high rpm hosepower and even my torque seems much greater, even in the lower rpms. It didn't seem to sacrafice any low end at all. I am VERY happy with this upgrade and would recommend this route to anybody looking to upgrade that has short gearing.