My 3B turbo build. Keeping it cheap without cutting corners.

[KingSpence]

I got a new hose installed today and took the truck for another drive. I love it, it's so smooth in the city, and when you do hit the highway it has no problem pulling to 110km/h with the 37''s. I can pass now. EGT's are about 800-900 on flat ground doing 110km/h, I'll hit hills tomorrow and see where they sit, but I've got a pretty good feeling the fuel is in a pretty good spot.

 

[KingSpence]

Hitting a steep hill at 110km/h and loading it up as much as possible I can't get over 950F, and the hill was steep enough I couldn't keep it in 5th and had to drop to 4th. It was about an 800m hill coming up from the river, I was doing 80km/h at the top. I'm going to give the fuel screw another 1/4 turn, making the overall adjustment one full turn. I would like to see about 1050-1100 at least on a hill like that, I think 950F is a little lean. I leave a slight puff of greyish black off lights, and that's it. I also adjusted my valves last night, a few were out of spec, but overall not too bad. I feel no real performance gain, but it did take away the slight ticking from the top end I was hearing. It's a super easy 20 min job.

Downpipe. 2.5inch that meges into a 3inch on the downpipe:

This is what I used for my boost gauge. I got the stuff at my local Princess Auto, cost me about $15 all in. 1/8npt threads directly to an Autometer.

And finally, complete. I know it's dirty and ugly, but it works.

 

[UZJ40]

Glad to see you got it done! It looks great!

 

[ForealBoreal]

congrats.

Whats the total build cost?

 

[jzilla]

Good job! A few guys have had the stock elbow (going to intake) crack, you might want to have another one on hand or a silicone one.
What rpms are you at at 110?
I can easily hit 1000 or more preturbo on a long incline, so I usually just shift to 3rd (running 33's and 4.11s). I will be running stock gears and tires for a while, curious to see how that affects temps on the inclines, I am guessing the temps should stabilize maybe? And I won't have to downshift, depends on the hill I guess

 

[KingSpence]

Good job! A few guys have had the stock elbow (going to intake) crack, you might want to have another one on hand or a silicone one.
What rpms are you at at 110?
I can easily hit 1000 or more preturbo on a long incline, so I usually just shift to 3rd (running 33's and 4.11s). I will be running stock gears and tires for a while, curious to see how that affects temps on the inclines, I am guessing the temps should stabilize maybe? And I won't have to downshift, depends on the hill I guess

I'm curious to know how how your truck reacts with the stock gears, because I'll be in school for the next two months so if the rear end blows up on me in that time, I'll be pulling the 3.70's out of the Cali shell. 3.70's and 37''s FML. How much jam does your turbo have on the highway? I fell like my power almost dies off a bit when I hit about 115km/h, well what I mean to say is that it stops pulling as hard as it did up to that speed. Maybe more fuel? I'm sitting at about 950F at 110km/h on the flats now with one full turn. I'll figure out my rpm's for you.

 

[jzilla]

I will be running 3.7's and stock tires though, so it should go pretty good! I used to run 33's with the stock gears and turbo, was not bad...My friend ran stock gears and 35's with a turbo for a while, can't quite remember how that was, probably not the best haha!

On the highway if I need power, I have it anytime, seems to work well for me...boost is set to 8.5psi max.
Not sure how much the fuel is turned up at this point, have been running the turbo for about 7 years. Since I redid the turbo set-up in March it is better than ever though (as you saw it).

 

[crushers]

too small turbo?

I fell like my power almost dies off a bit when I hit about 115km/h, well what I mean to say is that it stops pulling as hard as it did up to that speed.

 

[KingSpence]

ForealBoreal: I'll do the final tally up and put the total cost on the main page asap. Not tonight though, I'm going to get wasted.

Crushers: You think? It's a 50 trim t3 with a .42 IN iirc and .48EX. It spools flippin' quick when I'm on the highway. If I give it more fuel should it help some? I can't see more boost helping would it? I know doing 110km/h on the mainly flat land I'm usually at 10psi. I can't see the turbo being too small, it came off a 3.0L 5cyl diesel; it should match up pretty damn good imo.

 

[crushers]

i will let the book boys help you with the answer.
cranking up more boost will not help your top end.
adding more fuel will not help your top end.

it is mechanical.

now, you said that you are running 37s, right? are you allowing for the tire size difference with the 110 k/h speedo reading?

cranking the fuel will probably help on the hills to hold the speed but it won't give you a higher speed capability.

 

[KingSpence]

i will let the book boys help you with the answer.
cranking up more boost will not help your top end.
adding more fuel will not help your top end.

it is mechanical.

now, you said that you are running 37s, right? are you allowing for the tire size difference with the 110 k/h speedo reading?

cranking the fuel will probably help on the hills to hold the speed but it won't give you a higher speed capability.

I understand it's mechanical, if the turbo is out of it's efficiency range there isn't really much you can do. If I crank my fuel and the turbo is out of it's efficiency range I'm probably going to see mainly just high egt's on the highway yes?

I haven't got a hold of a handheld gps that will accurately tell me how quick I'm travelling, but I think I'm about 5% undergeared. With the 35's in average wear I was looking at a 5-7% overgear. Right now when my speedo says 100km/h I'm sitting at 2350-2400rpm. The 37's shave off about 200rpm on the highway.

 

[gerg]

That compressor is efficient for the 3B. I did map it on the first page. However, that is the compressor side. Your .48 housing might be choking at higher RPMs. Also keep in mind that your injection timing plays a big role for higher RPMs and these pumps naturally wear in a fashion that retards timing.... hurting higher revs. Get your timing redone is something to consider. About 150$ or less at most shops.

 

[TurboDiesel69]

If stock tire size is 28 and you're running 37's can you not divide the 37 by 28 to get 1.32 or a 32% increase in speed.

Is that how it works?

 

[KingSpence]

If stock tire size is 28 and you're running 37's can you not divide the 37 by 28 to get 1.32 or a 32% increase in speed.

Is that how it works?

If that's the case I should also be able to divide gear ratios too. Does this seem right?

Gears: 4.88/3.70 = 1.3189

Tire size: 37/28 = 1.3214

Difference = 0.0025 overgear.

 

[Dougal]

A 0.48 T3 won't be choking at that rpm.

More fuel and boost will make you go faster. Just respect the engines pressure and temperature limits.

 

[KingSpence]

I adjusted the fuel today, 1.25 overall turns. I think it's pretty much perfect. In the city the truck has no problem at all accelerating up a very steep hill about 500 feet long, I was doing about 45km/h at the bottom in third, and almost 60km/h at the top. I havent taken it on the highway yet, I think my rear end is going to blow up the next time I do. I pulled the plug today, the amount of metal on the drain plug is the same height as the threads on the plug itself. It's never good when you can wave a magnet over your diff oil and instantly see it turn silver as all the metal rises to the surface.

What do you think of these numbers? Engine at full operating temperature.

Idle at a stop light in the city - 400F
Idle after four minutes - 280F
Idle after sitting for fifteen minutes with engine off - 200F

Flat land, normal driving shifting at 2400rpm:

0-85km/h - 800F max, 700F coasting @ 85km/h.

 

[amaurer]

What do you think of these numbers? Engine at full operating temperature.

Idle at a stop light in the city - 400F
Idle after four minutes - 280F
Idle after sitting for fifteen minutes with engine off - 200F

Flat land, normal driving shifting at 2400rpm:

0-85km/h - 800F max, 700F coasting @ 85km/h.

I don't think those numbers say anything at all, unfortunately.

The idle and coasting number are useless - you need a peak load case like WOT at 2700 or WOT while struggle up a hill, etc. 85km/h on flat ground doesn't cut it.

Sounds like you'll have to sort that rear end out before you can test it properly.

 

[KingSpence]

Well she's proven reliable with a turbo for the past week and a half, it's time to step it up; pizza deliveries. Ohhhh yea!

 

[cruisedeisel]

right on man! good build, glad to see you went with the t3 from the benz 3.0 mine has never failed. im thinking of getting a new one to see what it can do. my turbo must have 400 xxx kms on it. simple manifold. looks strong and tight work. im starring at your dash and wishing i had air lockers.

 

[KingSpence]

First off, why can't I edit any of my posts in this thread? I've done it before, but I'm unable to do so now. I need to update Prices and Costs.

Secondly, anyone want to buy a Land Cruiser? The sad thing is I'm serious, it's getting put up. At this point I still don't know if I have the emotional willpower to let it go. What does Ih8mud think it's worth? I really don't NEED to sell it, so I'm not giving it away for free by any means.

I've been given the opportunity to buy another Cummins. 2003 5.9L H.O., SLT Laramie, crew cab long box 4x4, leather, 6 speed manual, 190k kms. Originally owned by an old farmer friend of my dad's. It's my dream truck to every option, but I can't even express how much I love my Cruiser. I'm in a dark stage of my life.

It's been almost a month now, and I've got just over 1300kms on the truck with the turbo, I love it! It accelerates smooth, and I've gotten a consistent 2-3 extra MPG then before. I've always driven the truck for maximum fuel economy, and I love the fact I can now drive it like a 90 year old, still keep up with the pace of traffic, and get wicked mileage to boot! Fuel is still set at 1.25 turns, EGT's peak at 1200F on the highway when I lay into on a hill. I installed a cone filter on the truck last week for fun, my god did it even make a difference. It drives smoother than ever before, and my goodness does the turbo whistle loud. Everyone stares, it sounds like a 6.0L. I'm curious to see my mileage for the first tank with the filter.

I'm going to try to get a few drive-by videos and driving videos during daylight.

I know, the red looks cheesy, it's all I had in the garage. It's not staying, I've got an idea; I've gotta tie the snorkel in somehow.