just wondering if these things do fail, my 03 2500 ho sure doesnt seem to make much turbo pressure any more? truck seems sluggish fuel and air filters are all good, just wondering how to check it. can i crimp the vac line? will that tell me anything? i can physically move the rod on the turbo so you would believe that it should work. where can i install a gauge to check for sure?


thanks alot jamie r
btw moog ball joints suck az

 

Install a gauge in the intake manifold with a boost bolt, that will give you the best feel for where boost is at. Use a good mechanical for best results.

Crimping the hose shuld hold the WG closed all the time unless the spring is weak, but, you will need a boost gauge to verify exactl where the problem is.

 

I run around all the time with my hose clamped off. I have a boost gauge though...

 

my '03 has the stock wastegate and the stock turbo. With it working properly I run up to around 24-26 psi with my tuner set on stock setting. If I clamp off the line from the turbo outlet to the wastegate then it blows open at 28-30 psi and drops to about 20-25 before it shuts again and will continue to do that oscillation thing as long as I have the turbo pressure line clamped off. If you physically secure the wastegate rod with something like bailing wire (?) or etc. then you risk overspeeding it and blowing it apart. Yep, scattering it internally.
I have heard from many people that they will run up to 35 psi without any trouble but when you start mixing tuners and stacking chips and the fuel flow is something much more than stock then the rpm could easily exceed the physical limitations of the turbo wheel(s).
Put a good gauge on your intake and check it out for yourself. Changing the wastegate and/or turbo is a good step in the right direction... more fuel needs morre air to burn good and clean... and make HP. Yes I know, truck pullers have LOTS of smoke and seem to make LOTS of power but honestly, when was the last time you saw a big tube Dodge pulling a sled on mainstreet? I want my exhaust clean, the EGT's controlled and the power manageable. Long live the trans too. LoL