Curt, thanks for the heads up that's the kind of report I've been hoping for, I'm thinking really hard about trying one on my 01' as opposed to twins, if $ was no object I'd go for the twins, but I think I'd be happy for awhile with the Garrett!!!!!!! could you PM me & let me know where you got the turbo & what kind of price tag it had?????? I'm leaning more towards the stage II since I do still tow occasionally with the truck, I don't wanna get too insane to the point that pulling the trailer around is a pain in the neck, thanks again & shoot me that PM when ya have a chance!!! thanks, Dusty

 

So why do people think a ball bearing turbo is better ?

I am not talking about praising a particular turbo which has a great compressor/turbine combination and just happens to have ball bearings , but in particular the assumption that a ball bearing supported spindle is better than a sleeve bearing unit....

Let's have a little fun with this, and maybe dispell some wives tales in the process....



Kp

 

I think the beauty of a ball bearing turbo and why people are attracted to them is the fact that you can have a big compressor wheel but have lightning fast spool up. Not to mention the sound.

 

Dusty I sent ya a PM

 

i just want a good ole silver bullet

 

Please do. Break it down

 

Not to pick on you Blue, but you have spoken both the myth's in one post.....

A ball bearing offers no less running friction at all than a sleeve bearing with the proper clearance and lubrication in the small sizes like those on a turbo shaft. A sleeve bearing will be harder to start rotation from a standstill than a ball bearing, but once the shaft begins its turn (not even a full revolution) and picks up a wedge of oil, its as slick as can be. And your turbo starts to spin once you start the engine, so thats not an issue.

And the ball bearings make no noise at all. Any connection people have made between the ball bearing turbos and whine, are a result of the compressor/turbine design style of that particular turbo, which just happens to be a ball bearing version.


Kp

 

My Stage 3 Garrett with a BHAF is one of the quietist turbos I have ever had on my truck. I can hardly hear it whistle over the cummins.

 

Well Garrett makes turbos for the PSD. AND the famous 6.0L VGT turbos that have that sweet jet engine sound to them. (AND D-max LLY and LBZ) BUT this, i believe, is due to the turbo being a VGT. The veins give it a very shrill sound for some reason or another......maybe its like the way a siren works on an old fire engine?? Hence why they reduced the number of veins in the exhaust housing for 04+? Also for the 7.3L….they had a BB upgrade that was VERY loud when compared to the stock version that was on the truck…..could also be the way they design their compressor wheels……they just emit a higher volume when spooled up….good for some bad for others…….but these are my guesses……

 

That was the purpose of my post.

 

Ahhhhh, I see. The sarcasm went right over my head !!

Pretty clever, Blue.


Kp

 

Why thank you Kp. I'm not the #1 poster for nothing.

 

That or his hind sight is pretty darn good!

 

Good Save!!!

 

You nailed it on the head Dan......the sound comes from the veins and not the Ball Bearings themselves. The one thing I've heard about the ball bearing turbos is that they cool a little easier....which maybe totally incorrect...I haven't had a chance to test one.


~Nick