What to do about a turbo?

Cummins Driver

Cummins Driver

THE Cummins Driver
Joined
May 16, 2007
Messages
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My truck is basically just a daily driver. I drive it every day, haul loads quite a bit in the summer with farming, and I pull and drag race whenever i can afford it. I usually pull a couple times a year.

I had been running an HX35 and was plenty happy with it. But, it got to where it needed a rebuild. Its still in great shape as far as the wheels and housings go though. So, I found my HX40 for a decent deal and a downpipe too, and decided to go with it. Well, this was when they werent really running a work stock class around here.

This year, they are running a work stock class. Stock turbo, which means i could run a 60mm 3rd gen turbo, or my HX35, but not my 58mm HX40 :bang So basically right now, I am stuck in the 2.6 class if i want to pull.

So, I really would like to be able to get in the stock turbo class if i wanted to pull. Im not looking to spend any money though. Basically, here are my options....

1-Rebuild my HX35, sell my HX40. Put my other downpipe back on.
2-Buy an HE351cw, build the intercooler piping and build a 4" downpipe, and sell my HX35, and HX40.
3-Hybrid my HX35 using my 58mm HX40 wheel. Basically, I could take the shaft out of my HX35, slide it in my HX40, and bolt the 58mm compressor wheel on it, along with my 18.5cm 1st gen exhaust housing. I also have a 16cm and stock 12cm housing to choose from though.

I dont think the last option is something i would do. I dont think the hybrid HX35 would cause any problems with the rules, but I also know no one would want to buy a 56mm HX40 thats needs rebuilt, which is what i would have left of the parts.

The first option would be easy enough. I still have my stock downpipe that i made into 4 inch, and my stock charger laying in the shop.

The 2nd option is starting to look really good to me. I will be adding my injectors eventually, but i tow enough that i dont want to go to a very big charger. Im thinking the HE351cw would support my injectors and my other mods i have right now pretty well, and it would provide good spoolup, tow good, and fit in the stock turbo class. Obviously it would require the most labor to make it work, but I have a shop with a mig and stick welder, chop saw, plasma cutter, grinders, etc... I think it would be something i could make work in a day if i had the right size pipe to make my new intercooler piping, and my new downpipe. Id have to find a used 3rd gen downpipe to modify i guess. This would also be just as cost efficient as the other options best i can tell. I can sell the HX40 probably easy enough, and sell the HX35 for at least $100, so I think I could easily pay for any piping i needed for the HE351cw.


So, Im really leaning towards the HE351cw right now. My truck cant be down long, but i think this is something me and maybe some buddies could get done on a Saturday. What is everyone elses opinion? Especially from people who have done the HE351cw swap. Thanks

Eric
 
I can run the 2.6" class, but that puts me with 600+hp dedicated pullers. At least work stock would give me a little better chance.

Eric
 
Well at least u could say u were beat by the best LOL, idk what u have for mods, or how much your gonna be pulling, that's what I would base it on, I wouldn't worry to much about it if your only gonna pull a few times a year just go out and have fun, but if your doing some dedication to a certain class and will be at alot of pulls then maybe sticking with a stocker would be the ticket, me I would just get 2.6 and have fun and not have to hassle with a smaller charger, maybe I'm thinking to much LOL
 
I think option two would be the best for you until you decide to go all out and max out your tranny and work the head over and such.
 
I wont be going with anything even remotely big until i have another daily driver, which will probably be at least a couple years. A 62/65/14 is the biggest thing i would consider right now. That would still put me in the 2.6 class and i still wouldnt be able to be that competitive with it though.

But that said, I think a stock charger, or HE351cw would suit me just as well and be cheaper along with letting me pull the stock turbo class when i get the itch.

I have seen hx35's make some darn good power, so i may just stick mine back on. I dont feel like the HE351 will have much better EGT's. Im not quite sure the power difference it would make. I know one guy on here put a 351 and an external gate on his truck that had a stock HX35 on it and went from like 408 or so to 447 or something? About 40hp. Im not sure if all the extra piping is going to be worth it or not. Especially compared to an HX35 with a bigger exhaust housing. Im still up in the air about it though. :poke:

Just looking for some more opinions from guys who have done the swap. 425hp is gonna be about the most im looking for on any of these turbos. That would put me real close to 12's i think on a reliable daily driver that could still jerk a trailer around with no problems.

Eric
 
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I think bigblue24 did the swap. Hopefully he will chime in and give you some good info.
 
HE351. Blue did 499 with that turbo. There is a guy on CF who is doing the same thing right now...Patracy. He bought the 351 from me for cheap & it is coming together. I think those turbos are a very good upgrade & should do very well in stock class.
 
I think the He351 tows great. I towed about 8K, my 95 Junker Drag truck over a few 6% grades and it did fine for EGT control. I did eventually have to slow down on one of the 5 mile long grades where I was running about 1180* on the EGT's but started getting too warm on the engine coolant. I don't know how hot you can run these Cummins but i wasn't going to test it in the middle of the desert at 95*F miles from civilization.


I don't know if the Adrenaline set to 8* timing cheats the EGT's to where they don't get high but the engine cooling system has to absorb more heat or if my cooling system needs a good flush. All that I know is my EGT gauge indicated that I had enough turbo to run 70 MPH up 6% grades. My cooling system indicated that it didn't have enough capacity to run sustained on 6% grades for miles and miles in the desert heat 95*F at more than 60 mph or 1000* EGT's. Boost hovered around 28-32 psi.

On the flats, with 8K in tow, I was rolling along at 70 mph with 7-9 psi boost at 750-775* EGT's. Pretty darn good if you ask me!
 
Im still thinking about it. Im happy with how my HX40 drives and tows, but i would like to be able to run stock charger if i want to.

There is another pulling organization around here that is run what you brung pretty much. I could just pull with them when i pull, but it would be a lot more fun to be able to compete some.

Eric
 
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If you do the 351 open the wastegate up to give it some relief. I really like the 351 for spoolup. Wastegate opened up to 1 inch will completely control boost with no creep.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas everyone. I think i may have an HE351cw lined up to buy for a decent price. I will update when I know for sure, but Im pretty sure im going to buy it from the guy. That said, Im not sure how quick i would get around to the swap, but I dont think it would take me that long once i read up on what all i need and get the pipe and stuff rounded up.

Eric
 
OK so I tried to PM you this but ????? :bang

I noticed you are leanin toward the 351 turbo so I was wonderin what your gonna do with teh HX35?

Thanks
 
Cummins Driver said:
Hey, i got your PM just a minute ago, and wrote you back. Thanks

Eric
Click to expand...

Weird how it doesn't show "sent" messages?

thanks for the reply.... I am in the market for a HX35 as it appears to be a decent upgrade for my truck?

Thanks
 
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