BB Conversions on BW turbos

B

Broaner

Been There n Broke That
Anybody have info about this? I've seen a few blurbs about this on the failbook. I know Godspeed does these conversions and I'm guessing others will as well. I'm interested in this possibility to try it out and see if secondary response is improved at all. I don't need that better response but I sure wouldn't mind it. And how is reliability after this conversion?
 
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I'm running a s485 ball bearing BW from Midwest turbo, or they call the performance side CRT turbo. The ball bearing is more of a durability thing than a performance or spool gain in my opinion.
 
I believe by the time you convert you could already have a BB garrett, but I’ve never done it. Just what I’ve been told
 
I think most guys are running the ball bearing chargers on a secondary for durability reasons, it will take more abuse, instead of eat up the thrust washer.
 
In our experiences ball bearings will take more abuse for short amounts of time. Overall we see ball bearing turbochargers are far less reliable in longevity. SDP and LEE Caterpillar engines and 6.7 ford powerstrokes are the two major OEM diesel engine ball bearing units and they are utter garbage. Pouring that amount of money into an S400 is silly IMO. Step up to something better, spend the same money or less, and be happier. An HX60, 80, 82, etc. or a ball bearing Garrett come to mind really quick...
 
The quality of the bearing will dictate a lot, I have seen a few of these ball bearing conversions not tolerate what the factory journal bearings will.
 
Good info guys. Thanks. If the spool really is no different then that settles it. I'm only really after it for spool. Durability has been fine for me. I'm not pushing either turbo hard at all. Not planning to run it over 1000 more than a handful of times a year.

mfsuper90 said:
I believe by the time you convert you could already have a BB garrett, but I’ve never done it. Just what I’ve been told
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Well my set is fabbed and on already. And Godspeed told me $800 to convert an s300sxe. $1700 total is cheaper than a GTX47 last time I checked? Also, water is an extra bit of chit I'm not interested in.
 
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turbos

Broaner said:
Good info guys. Thanks. If the spool really is no different then that settles it. I'm only really after it for spool. Durability has been fine for me. I'm not pushing either turbo hard at all. Not planning to run it over 1000 more than a handful of times a year.



Well my set is fabbed and on already. And Godspeed told me $800 to convert an s300sxe. $1700 total is cheaper than a GTX47 last time I checked? Also, water is an extra bit of chit I'm not interested in.
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Andrew I'd stay away from godspeed, there's a lot better builders out there in my opinion. talk to Smokem-aka Infinite Performance He's very knowledgeable on turbo's and injectors. i talked to CRT turbo on converting the s480 i had for my puller but ended up going to a Garrett GT55. The s400 bearing conversion is still probably cheaper just for the fact that Garrett turbo components are very pricey.
 
Thanks bud.

Well I drove er yesterday. I have no further wishes for BB. She rips now with better tuning. So far neither turbo seems stressed at all. We'll see if she lays down 1100 at a dyno day this summer.
 
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