I am looking into a turbo upgrade for my 03 HO CTD. I have no intentions of racing but will be looking into a large fifth wheel sometime in the future. The stock turbo on the flats is good but I am thinking with a heavy load an running in the mountains I may wish I had something different. I have an ATS 2 piece exhaust manifold and ATS high capacity intake manifold. I will be changing the exhaust and installing a Banks intercooler. Does anyone have any experience with the ATS Aurora MST turbocharger? In theory it seems like a good compromise. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated based on my auto signature.

 

The last discussion we had about it, the production units were not ready and looked like it was going to be a while. You might want to call ATS and see if it has even been released yet. It should be a really good turbo, but has a rumored $2,700 price tag. I wouldn't bet on it becoming popular and breaking sales records as that is a lot of money for a single. There is a twin kit that can be had for that price.

 

For the money, I'd rather get a twin kit that will spool just as hard and fast, cool better, and be able to take you a lot farther in power. If your EGT's aren't a problem right now then I wouldn't bother with a turbo upgrade. Your not gonna find a turbo that spools as fast as the stock one. If you do need a new turbo, I'd look into the Dodgezilla 35/40 hybrid or the phat shaft 62. Both will cool better and both will spool up fairly fast. Those two turbos have also been proven whereas the ATS turbo hasn't been and there are quite a few parts to go wrong. Having a turbo break itself while pulling a fifth wheel up a 7% grade with your family in it doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun.

 

Dogger, Before you get the banks cooler check around. I think it is only tested to 50 or 60 psi while some of the other high performance coolers are tested to 500 psi. I think ATS has one, Haisley, II to name a few. Most coolers are rated for temperature drop, delta T based on a T in and fixed temp air at a speed. ie. 300 degree air in delta T of -150 degrees at 70 degrees at 60mph gives 150 degree air out. The other spec is pressure drop which indicates how much restriction there is. ks