I know, I know, it's on a second gen, but the 1st gen forum is my roots
Anyhoo, getting a little closer to having a running variable turbo on my 12 valve and thought I'd post some pics. Don't have a lot of pics, so some steps are missed, but you'll get the idea. I plan to regulate the vgt via drive pressure. Others have used this method with excellent results. Have the gate start moving at 40psi of drive pressure and boost and drive are about 1.25:1 up to 40psi Will be using an electric solenoid to pull the housing to the smallest position for e-brake mode. Should have around 300 clams into the entire mess once completely functional. Enjoy the few pics I have

Drill and tap he351vgt turbine housing for pipe plugs. Thread in pipe plugs and cut them off with sawzall and smooth out.


Assuming you have access to a 2nd gen hx35 elbow, cut the oddball flange off the he351 housing's elbow and have a good welder (since it's cast) weld the oddball flange to your stock elbow. Now it'll bolt to a stock downpipe


Had to do some clearancing on my stock manifold and get creative with studs, but with the new pattern, it bolts up like it grew there.






Fresh head and repopped sticks and an he351vgt-a thing of beauty!

 

Looks good Greg. Let us know how it works for you.

 

I'm in the middle (well kind of stalled on, since I swapped the Dakota to V8) of doing this on my dually. Thanks for the pics, I like the idea of putting the pipe plugs in and re-drilling the flange. I was on my second attempt of an adapter that put the charger in a spot I did not like. Thanks again.

 

Thanks for posting your turbo project. I've got one sitting on the bench until I figure out how to go about it - also kinda waiting on the crew since everything will get swapped over. There are adapters on fleabay if I can figure out which one to use! Have you got more detail shots of your set-up and/or links to how to do it? I got the stock 4", 45* exhaust elbow so I'll have to fab a downpipe.

 

Get the beer ready! I hear Pete may come down to visit.

 

I'll post up some more pics later today. Gotta tear it back down to fit the turbo drain anyway. In the case of a 1st gen downpipe, you'd still only have to get the oddball flange from the he351 welded to your stock downpipe.

Oh yeah, Pete....who invited him anyway?

 

off topic but im from canisteo... living in illinois currently but its still neat youre from the area!

 

Very cool!

 

Didn't get to tear down today for more pics. Lot's of other projects with the truck to button up first. I will update soon

 

I will be very interested in exactly how you setup your drive pressure controller.

 

Hey Aaron, long time no talk I'm gonna try and copy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnHGbN67PIM

 

Yeah long time! I hang around but I now actually have a job that keeps me busy. haha

Anyways i've got one of these in the parts shed that I was going to put on the D250. Which i'm now selling. So now i'm thinking i'll replace the HX40 with it.

But looking at that video it looks like he is using manifold pressure to open the vanes, how were you planning on using drive pressure?

 

Yeah, my bad on the video. There's a guy on comp-d that uses drive pressure through about 10' of copper line with a stainless filter. With enough afc tuning (on his p-pump) the turbo lights instantly and is about 1:1 by 38psi. He's got several thousand miles on it now with no complaints, so I'm gonna start there.

 

sounds wicked i wanted to do this but never got around to it. good luck

 

Any idea what solenoid that guy is using in the video for his exhaust brake? Are you trying for exhaust brake capability?