Hey y'all!
I've been browsing around the forum a bit lately so I figured I would introduce myself and share what I have been working on...
With some help from Quadstar Tuning, I have installed an HE351VE turbo from a 6.7L Cummins on my 6.5L. Quadstar built the exhaust manifold adapter, downpipe elbow to fit a Diamond Eye downpipe, high flow upper intake, oil drain tube, and a few other small parts to bolt the turbo to the engine. This turbo also has coolant flow to cool the actuator, so I drilled and tapped the side coolant ports to accept hose barbs so I could tie in to the heater core coolant circuit.
I have seen other HE351VE installs, but none that utilized the electronic VGT actuator. To make it functional, I used a Banshee VGT Controller from Steed Tech. Using drive and boost pressure sensor readings, it drives the actuator to use the VGT vanes to maintain a specified drive to boost pressure ratio. I can set a high ratio at low boost to help spoil up the turbo, the lower the ratio at higher boost pressures for increased efficiency. The two 150 psi sensors were mounted on to a small sensor manifold block on the firewall by the hydroboost unit and 1/4" copper tube was ran from the exhaust and intake manifolds to feed the sensors.
The combination runs very well. The controller is very good at maintaining the specified ratio (I'm still experimenting. I have ran aggressive high to low variable ratio, straight 1:1 ratio, and even 0.8:1 ratio configurations with great results. It's crazy to see more boost pressure than drive pressure).
Now that the install is complete and stable, I'm looking for ways to improve. I'm focusing on the air intake side of things, namely air intake to the turbo, and a charge air cooler, both with goals of maximizing air flow and minimizing air temperatures. I'm planning to relocate both batteries to the bed of the truck and using that space to build a CAI on the passenger side. Second, I have an intercooler from a 2003 duramax truck on the way. Ive read that this CAC will fit in the front cooling stack with the least amount of modifications to the core support. The AC in my truck is already inoperable because the dryer had to be removed for turbo downpipe clearance, so the condenser can come out as well. I will figure out aftermarket solutions to get the AC working again at another time. Once I have the intercooler set, I will figure out how to route the 3" tubes from the turbo, to the IC, then to the intake. The compressor housing was modified for side exit into the high flow upper intake, but I have another stock forward exit housing available as well.
What do you guys think? Am I nuts? Any tips for getting the IC to fit as best as possible?
I've been browsing around the forum a bit lately so I figured I would introduce myself and share what I have been working on...
With some help from Quadstar Tuning, I have installed an HE351VE turbo from a 6.7L Cummins on my 6.5L. Quadstar built the exhaust manifold adapter, downpipe elbow to fit a Diamond Eye downpipe, high flow upper intake, oil drain tube, and a few other small parts to bolt the turbo to the engine. This turbo also has coolant flow to cool the actuator, so I drilled and tapped the side coolant ports to accept hose barbs so I could tie in to the heater core coolant circuit.
I have seen other HE351VE installs, but none that utilized the electronic VGT actuator. To make it functional, I used a Banshee VGT Controller from Steed Tech. Using drive and boost pressure sensor readings, it drives the actuator to use the VGT vanes to maintain a specified drive to boost pressure ratio. I can set a high ratio at low boost to help spoil up the turbo, the lower the ratio at higher boost pressures for increased efficiency. The two 150 psi sensors were mounted on to a small sensor manifold block on the firewall by the hydroboost unit and 1/4" copper tube was ran from the exhaust and intake manifolds to feed the sensors.
The combination runs very well. The controller is very good at maintaining the specified ratio (I'm still experimenting. I have ran aggressive high to low variable ratio, straight 1:1 ratio, and even 0.8:1 ratio configurations with great results. It's crazy to see more boost pressure than drive pressure).
Now that the install is complete and stable, I'm looking for ways to improve. I'm focusing on the air intake side of things, namely air intake to the turbo, and a charge air cooler, both with goals of maximizing air flow and minimizing air temperatures. I'm planning to relocate both batteries to the bed of the truck and using that space to build a CAI on the passenger side. Second, I have an intercooler from a 2003 duramax truck on the way. Ive read that this CAC will fit in the front cooling stack with the least amount of modifications to the core support. The AC in my truck is already inoperable because the dryer had to be removed for turbo downpipe clearance, so the condenser can come out as well. I will figure out aftermarket solutions to get the AC working again at another time. Once I have the intercooler set, I will figure out how to route the 3" tubes from the turbo, to the IC, then to the intake. The compressor housing was modified for side exit into the high flow upper intake, but I have another stock forward exit housing available as well.
What do you guys think? Am I nuts? Any tips for getting the IC to fit as best as possible?