T3/T04 Turbo Upgrade?

epimethius05 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:18 pm

My OE turbo is starting to leak oil (bad gasket) and the boost & fuel mileage are becoming compromised.
I've been doing alot of research lately for a possible ~COST EFFECTIVE~ turbo upgrade for my '06 CRD.
Does anyone have any input/info for the T43/T04 Turbo?
I don't have any problem using a boost controller (and BOV,Waste gate) if it means not blowing the head off my motor.
From what I've read the T3/T04 has a fast spool and can push lots of air. I'm also sure it will take a few mods to get it to fit right in my KJ.

Don't want to spend $2,500+ and wait 6 months for a GDE turbo.
I've read the threads about the Garrett GT2560R and GT2860RS (disco potato) turbos and it looks like the Garrett GT1756V Step III turbo (what GDE uses) is only available in Europe.

Any comments are welcome Thanks.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2012 5:14 pm

First and perhaps most important question - where exactly is the oil leak? An oil leak at either end of the oil feed line can compromise the life of your turbo while an oil leak at either end of the oil drain line shouldn't impact turbo life but will waste oil. An oil leak at any of those locations can be fixed without replacing the turbo although it may have to be pulled to fix the leak. None of those oil leaks should impact boost or mpg. However, if the oil leak is out of the shaft area of your turbo you need IMMEDIATELY check the turbo shaft for excess play and stop driving if excess play is found as turbo failure tends to be catastrophic and can take the engine with it. On the other hand if you are getting oil leaking out of the turbo>intercooler>block hoses that has nothing to do with the turbo as the oil is coming from the CCV puck and going thru the turbo but can "rot" those hoses in which case boost and mpg can be impacted.

Don't know anything about those turbo options but FYI a new OEM bolt on Garrett for the CRD can be obtained for ca. $1,200 counting shipping and gaskets from like IDParts.

skates04 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:33 am

Another option is pulling the turbo and taking it to a diesel repair shop to be rebuilt...

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2012 9:35 am

Cannot or should not be rebuilt. Garrett won't supply parts and won't rebuild. I know some places advertise rebuilds but I've not seen any reports on the reliability of the outcome. IIRC the rebuilds are only like $400 less than brand new. A modest cost savings but IMHO not worth the risk of possibly destroying an engine if the turbo has a catastropic failure.

epimethius05 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:40 pm

I already went to a Turbo Diesel specialist near Milwaukee.
He didnt have any help to offer. Guess all he knows are big diesels.
I was hoping for T3/T4 info but I guess thats an unforged trail.

crd260 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 29, 2012 2:28 pm **Posts:** 103

T3/T4 Hybrid turbos are really intended for higher performance gas motors who want more than stock HP without a terrible amount of turbo lag, and don't care too too much about exhaust back pressure or fuel efficiency.

KJ CRD's have a well matched variable vain turbo that provides enough air flow for ~200HP and minimal turbo lag.

Unless you want to make MORE than 200HP, and are prepared to deal with worse turbo lag, than stock is where it's at.

I've rebuild T3 turbos in the past by simply changing out the center "cartridge" and it was actually quite simple. Just had to make sure I clocked the turbine and compressor shaft to keep the whole thing balanced.

Swapping turbos around also introduced a whole host of issues like exhaust flanges, clearance, turbo "clocking" (which way the input/output ports are facing). IMO, not even worth considering.

The guys who offer the ECO tune have a turbo upgrade listed, but no details, call them up, I bet they've been down this road already.

T3/T04 Turbo Upgrade?

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