I just received my brand new turbos from an e-bay purchase, and I'm looking for suggestions on keeping them from cracking.

I went full non-sequential about two years ago, and now with a rebuild coming I want to go back to sequential, but this time done right.

I will be installing a turbo timer, but I don't necessarily think this is the only line of defense against casting cracks.

I would like to wrap the turbos in a turbo wrap, but I haven’t seen one that will fit the sequentials without interfering with the armatures. Have you?

Ceramic coat?
Shot Peen the manifold inside and out?
Radius the port’s edges?

I even thought of making a custom gasket to cover the bridge, but I’m not sure that will work either.

Is there anything else to prevent the cracking aside from not driving or installing them?
Any ideas?

 

All I can say is those look nice. I doubt you'll find anything really that will keep them from cracking. Less heat would help.

Amel

 

Stay non sequential and don't boost above 5 psi for like 500 miles.

After that have fun

 

Definately radius the edges. Honestly I don't know if there is any hard proof floating around that can confirm that it actually works, but it is VERY logical.

 

how much did you pay?

 

$1500 :-)

 

$ 1500, not bad at all!
I beleive turbo wrap/insulation would be pretty helpfull, in any case they will last about 100k miles, as long as they stay lubed up at all times, however cooling you car before shut down and wraping the turbos will help them live longer.

 

Bastard, I paid $1400 for a stock rebuild. If I knew then what I know now...

 

The turbo timer or wrap wont help at all. As a matter of fact the wrap will prob hurt cause it'll cause the manifold to retain heat....which is what cracks it up.

If you want to keep them from cracking you need to run stock boost and have it tuned to real low egt's.

Which basically means you car will be slow lol

STEPHEN

 

Just say a prayer when you install them, has always worked for me..


please start, god please make my car start..
That was this mornings prayer, bastard fired right up!

 

How about powder coating them?

 

Any kind of coating / cover on the outside will make the metal retain heat. If you ceramic coated the inside and left the outside alone then you might help some. Just make sure its a coating good to 2000F. It needs to be that high for margin of safety cause if any of it flaked off it would ruin the turbine wheels on the turbos.

Also, without the manifold sucking up some of the heat it might be too hot at the turbine wheels.....you'd just have to see

STEPHEN

 

From my understanding, retaining the heat longer after the car has shut down will reduce the amount of cracking with cast iron objects.
I base this off of the welding company behind my house. The guy there explained to me that rapid heat changes is what causes the cracks and distortion.
I could be wrong in my thinking. Anyone have proof either way?

 

Best thing you can do to keep them healthy is to change the oil frequently. Maybe every 2000-2500 miles. Clean oil running through your Turbos is their (your) best friend. It'll keep the Trust Bearing from clogging and the Shaft Bearings will not coke or scale.

Make sure you let the car idle at least one minute before turning it off. Specially after a hard or long run.