Local turbo rebuilder PCE sent me this e-mail:

So it looks like I had a defective turbo. They confirmed that I took all the right steps during installation/break-in. Bummed about being the .5% of these turbos that has trouble, but at least it wasn't anything that I did.

These guys (Propulsion Control Engineering) seem like straight shooters and Kirk seems to really know what he's doing.

They have turbos in the place that would swallow ferrets whole. SCARY what diesels need to make boooost.

The rebuild quote is ~$300-350 which is not bad considering the rebuild kit is $150.00.

Hopefully they'll get back to me after the holiday is over and I'll get a move on rebuilding my snail.

Mahalo for bearing with all of the lamentations, and saga updates people.

Richard...
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

 

Does ION modify IHI turbos? Since you're rebuilding it anyway, maybe you can build a VF30 hybrid of some sort?

Hope all goes well

 

The consensus is that it's not really worth trying to modify the VF30. All of the guys that I've asked recommended going to a completely different unit at that point.

Good thought though.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

 

I'm glad this is working out. Better to be out a little bit more $ than to be totally a$$ed out.

 

P.S. Thanks to Wes for finding PCE for me!
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

 

what did Alex say?
50% re-imbursment for the repair?

 

I would hope he could get you a better deal than that? Was this a complete caveat emptor?

 

Richard,
If you still have the vf30 turbo out, how much bigger is the up-pipe feed port in comparison with the stock unit. I would appriciate it if you can take a picture with ruler on it so I can view the difference-
thanx-ed

 

Hey Ed,
If you're still turbo-ing a 2.5 the VF22 is supposed to be the way to go if you're using IHI flanges.

VF-11 is supposed to work well with the 2.2.

 

got it

 

no, the vf22 sucks big hairy *****. Those things fail quite often, I can't even remember how many times I read about someone's vf22 failing.
if you're going to spent money on a turbo, you might as well go with something know to be reliable, .... right Richard?

 

ok sure.
So the VF series is a pile of poop.
Size wise that's the one to get.

What would you recommend with Ed's current flanges?

 

Alex said he's going to take care of the rebuild. He said that I won't be out any money. He's stepping up to the plate and I am VERY thankful. That's taking care of business.

Ed,

The turbo is out, but it's at PCE right now. As soon as I get it back I'll be happy to take a picture/measure the opening for ya!

Aloha,
Richard...
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

 

Ed,

Does this help? I thought you were referring to the stock 'uppipe' flange.

Edit: Sorry. Corrected.

 

I wouldn't say the entire vf series is poop, the vf22 is just so old, I mean it's just old! really though, it is an old design and it shows when it comes to reliability.

yes, I think that'd be about the 'size' he may want. Personally, if he's looking for a 'bolt-on', I like the MJM turbo's a lot!