staying away from journal bearings?
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From: Olyphant, Pa
Why type of failure did you have ? How many miles
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From: Roc
Originally Posted by illestrolla' timestamp='1363089691' post='22397980
I had a failure with my BW Journal bearing. However, these are designed for a diesel environment, and don't fair the same in a gas environment.
Well see how it lasts with a few things modded to make it more gas friendly
Well see how it lasts with a few things modded to make it more gas friendly
Axial shaft play and oil in the compressor housing.
I was the third owner, so I'm not sure I only put like 5000 miles on it.
after speaking with the guys at Work turbochargers.com I'm not too worried about it. He stated that whenever they rebuild them for gas motors they swap to diff seals and use a 360* thrust bearing.
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The smaller PTE journal bearing turbos just arent up to par with Garrett and BW. If you want a good reliable and well priced journal bearing turbo, go BW. If you want to spend the extra and get something ball bearing and reliable, go with a Garrett based turbo.
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BW doesnt offer the housings from the factory, but I have a couple available to me. They are made by the same foundry that does work for BW, Garrett, etc...
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there are TONS of BW 9180 s300 t4 single scroll's on ebay for 700-800 bucks!!!! but i think that may be a little too laggy for a low boost setup.although i have cams and a custom IM, i dont think it would be enough to justify that big of a turbo for 12-15psi
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there are TONS of BW 9180 s300 t4 single scroll's on ebay for 700-800 bucks!!!! but i think that may be a little too laggy for a low boost setup.although i have cams and a custom IM, i dont think it would be enough to justify that big of a turbo for 12-15psi
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As others already said, journal bearing turbos are as reliable or more reliable than a BB turbo, just stick with a true OEM mfr. Garrett journal bearing turbos came oem from the factory on many cars years ago, and they lasted 80k+ miles w/o problems. They were always journal bearing. I had one on my old integra for 30k+ miles w/ ZERO problems years ago. Yes, the spool might be slightly slower, but the turbo was also significantly cheaper than a BB turbo. I can't comment on precision, but I seems to hear a lot of problems about them needing to be rebuilt or leaking which is a little disconcerting, but that could also be just because they are the most popular. I remember turbonetics was big years ago, but seems like they aren't popular anymore, for good reason..