s366 Turbo Failure and Resulting Damage...

xDiesel03

New member
So...I took apart my secondary to rebuild it with a 360 thrust and severe duty bearings, and I added an SXE turbine wheel. I bought both items from SPTurboost (https://www.spturboost.com). I added oil and spun the compressor wheel to circulate prior to startup. After a few miles of test driving I opened it up a little on tune 1 and hit around 60psi. Turned it to tune three, leaned into it a little, and POP. Turbo blew and I coasted it most of the remaining 1/2mi home. When I shut the truck off it revved up on its own for a second so I know oil was getting sucked into the intake.

I sent a note to Infinite Performance inquiring a rebuild/replacement. Anyone else recommend a place to get a quote? Not sure if it was a faulty wheel that melted, or if it's because I didn't get the assembly balanced. The shaft and compressor still spin. Thoughts? And recommendations? Looking to push up to 1250hp.

Carnage:
IMG_1607_zps4q3tpfvi.jpg


IMG_1608_zpsnrnp7usw.jpg


And the damage to the primary turbine wheel:
IMG_1609_zpszuft34jj.jpg
 
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That sucks.
Balance the CHRA before you installed the turbo? Only other thing that I can think if is oiling issues like using the right restrictor or drain line routing.
 
I did not get it balanced - it was accepted risk/curiosity because both components were individually balanced. I'm also curious what exactly would cause the entire wheel to shear off...I would expect compressor wheel contact with a balance issue but it didn't appear to make contact. Either way I'm thankful it was the turbine side vs the compressor side.
 
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I did not get it balanced - it was accepted risk/curiosity because both components were individually balanced. I'm also curious what exactly would cause the entire wheel to shear off...I would expect compressor wheel contact with a balance issue but it didn't appear to make contact. Either way I'm thankful it was the turbine side vs the compressor side.

If the turbine and comp wheel are pre balanced I would not worry about it. I have rebuilt quite a few chargers and have only had one fail due to oiling issues never had them assembly balanced. I had used a couple ebay turbines that state they are 713c and never had a problem.
 
If the turbine and comp wheel are pre balanced I would not worry about it. I have rebuilt quite a few chargers and have only had one fail due to oiling issues never had them assembly balanced. I had used a couple ebay turbines that state they are 713c and never had a problem.

I am still inclined to think it was a faulty part rather than an internal failure or something leaving the engine because there are no marks in the manifold or entry points on the housing, and there isn't much of a difference in side to side, no in and out, and it still spins on the bearings.
 
What was wrong with it prior to the rebuild?

Nothing was particularly wrong with it. I suspected a little oil pushing past the turbine ring because it was consuming a little bit of oil, but it was mainly because I didn't get confirmation from the previous owner whether or not it had a 360 thrust bearing. When I took it apart and saw the 270 I decided to rebuild.
 
Looks like a failed friction weld. Then again, I don't even know if there is a friction weld there. :pop:
 
Looks like a failed friction weld. Then again, I don't even know if there is a friction weld there. :pop:

I did a little reading and it appears that's how all turbine wheels are attached to the shaft...it appears to be as you describe- a failed friction weld.

When I spoke with the company I determined that it was not genuine BW and actually their own version of the wheel. I claimed it was defective and they said they've sold at least 40-50 of these out of the same batch with no wheel defects, and that they would need findings conclusive that something was defective to justify warranty or refund.
 
You can buy a sxe super core and run it in a old airworks turbine housing?

Same turbine housing. As far as compressor housing, I'm sure you could do the same, but I know part of the SXE improvement over SX3/4 is MWE to the compressor housing so you would potentially lose out on some cover flow.

On that note, does anyone have any side by side comparison or experience with the third gen 90 degree compressor outlet vs. adding an elbow to an SXE super core? I'm strongly considering going to the S366sxe but I either need to reuse my old cover or weld vband connections and the 90.
 
I'm curious what would satisfy them as conclusive? Pull that shaft out and run a magnet down the side of it. (unless that doesn't work on turbo shafts?)

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I'd be willing to bet there is no amount of information one could supply to warrant them standing behind the product.
 
I'd be willing to bet there is no amount of information one could supply to warrant them standing behind the product.

This.

Pull the shaft out and get us a pic of whats left of the wheel. If the seal groove area is still attached to the shaft I would like to see what the wheel looks like. It may have broken at the weld. Not all that common even on import stuff but definitely does happen.
 
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Company ended up refunding the money. I got my primary Rebuild at North American Turbo, and put an S366sxe in for the secondary.
 
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