The vehicles we use every single day are workhorses, and as such, spend a variety of time getting, effectively, used. Everyone is aware of that onerous components fail. However, with right this moment’s high-tech haulers, as a rule, if we expertise a problem, it’s often with wiring and/or electronics.
We have a 2015 Silverado store truck that has, sadly, encountered some critical points with the turbo. The 6.6-liter Duramax engine was letting us understand it was time for a turbo improve. We discovered this when the truck encountered what we thought was a Vane Position Sensor (VPS) leaving us stranded. The VPS controls the unison ring and turbo vanes positioned throughout the engine’s Garrett turbocharger. This is a typical subject amongst the 2004.5 to 2016 Duramax turbo-diesel engines which use variable geometry turbochargers.
The Cheetah turbo appears to be like inventory however is much from it.
Once we dug into it, we quickly discovered soot build-up contained in the turbo was truly inflicting the truck to run poorly. Since the Silverado was affected by poor efficiency and wouldn’t make the enhance it ought to — and since we have been going to be knee-deep into the valley of the engine anyway — we thought what higher time for a turbo improve than proper now?
(*50*)Who You Gonna Call?
Since we have been getting in deep, there was no method we’d set up a inventory turbo. C’mon, why would we? To improve the enhance maker, we had our eyes set on certainly one of Fleece Performance‘s Cheetah turbochargers. For years, Fleece has been on the entrance of the pack in the case of inventory alternative turbochargers, providing help for nearly each truck you see on the highway. We wished to see if our Duramax may gain advantage from a Cheetah, and we additionally wished to seek out out what makes their merchandise so in style, so we gave them a name.
We talked with the Vice President Of Sales And Marketing, Jeff Everett, and mentioned our state of affairs. We advised him what our signs have been and talked about doing an improve. While corresponding with Jeff about this challenge, we made it recognized upfront that our improve wanted to be inventory showing and conform to California Air Resources Board (CARB) tips for the reason that truck is in California.
“After listening to your signs, it could possibly be a couple of issues. It could possibly be the Vane Position Sensor or the actuator itself, “Jeff tells us. “Lucky for you, all of our turbochargers come new with each, so that you’re going to be contemporary anyway. These turbochargers come model new from Garrett and we then flip them into our Cheetahs.”
As I said, the truck is positioned in California, and as such, should meet stringent emissions requirements. Luckily, the Cheetah Turbo does that. According to Jeff, “our LML Cheetah turbocharger is authorized to make use of as a alternative turbo because it carries a CARB E.O. quantity (D-834-3).” With the legalities assured, the improve was began.
After a couple of back-and-forth emails, our new Fleece Cheetah arrived. We’ve heard the thrill on varied boards concerning the Cheetah turbo improve, however we wished to seek out out for ourselves what the hubbub was all about. Frantically tearing the field open, this new turbo appears to be like slick. It is a stock-appearing, 63 mm forged-and-milled-wheel Garrett turbo that’s coated in a stealthy black.
Found it hiding underneath a mountain of stuff.
(*50*)It’s Cheetah Time
We have been promised a faster spool-up and throttle response of a smaller turbo whereas nonetheless having fun with the big-end energy of a bigger one. We wanted to improve the outdated worn-out turbo and by the sounds of it, we’re on our approach to having a truck that’s alot extra enjoyable to drive. This turbo is rated at 650 rear-wheel horsepower and it’s speculated to be the last word mixture for dual-purpose functions. You know, it’s proper at dwelling on a traditional drive and may nonetheless deal with the trials of pulling a heavy load.
(*50*)Benefits And Features
On the skin — minus the slick new paint job — this turbo appears to be like the identical as another. It’s what’s on the within that counts. This turbo improve makes use of a inventory housing with up to date internals. This permits you to maintain your entire manufacturing facility techniques intact, but affords you the chance to run extra enhance, actually, nearing the 40-psi mark.
Each Cheetah is outfitted with upgraded shaft bearings and 360-degree thrust bearings. These are a wonderful design that will get us excited. The 360-degree thrust bearing is positioned throughout the middle cartridge and permits a layer of oil to fully embody the turbine shaft. This is not like the 75-percent protection supplied by the manufacturing facility’s 270-degree bearing. Also, since they’re small however mighty, these turbos supply stock-like spooling, which lets you get your trailer shifting sooner, due to the Variable Nozzle Technology (VNT).
VNT permits the larger-than-stock turbo to behave like a smaller unit upon spool-up, however if you want extra energy otherwise you’re accelerating tougher, it opens as much as move extra exhaust on the prime finish. For you pullers on the market, that is additionally a 2.5-inch work-stock-legal turbocharger.
The demand for emissions-friendly efficiency components is at an all-time excessive, and with the repercussions for tampering with emissions taking place so continuously, increasingly more components are being developed to accommodate these guidelines. Unfortunately, truck house owners are discovering they’re being restricted by their turbo measurement when attempting to squeeze out each final ounce of energy potential whereas sustaining their emissions compliance. This is the place an improve like that is unbelievably helpful.
(*50*)Duramax Turbo Upgrade – The Installation
Before we go into the set up of the turbo, know that this isn’t one thing you are able to do in a couple of minutes. These turbochargers are actually buried underneath pipes, wiring, and different ancillary objects. The swap will take some endurance and time.
Before we did something, we wished to examine the consumption and exhaust system to verify there wasn’t any particles. Even although we didn’t encounter a critical turbo failure, we wish to guarantee that we’ve got a clear area and that we weren’t going to infect the brand new items. Once all the pieces was good to go, off we went.
We began eradicating the objects that have been both overlaying or have been connected to our outdated turbo. This included the cost air cooler inlet pipe, EGR manifold cooling feed pipe, turbocharger exhaust pipes, EGR cooler meeting, and higher warmth protect. But wait, there’s extra. We additionally wanted to disconnect the turbo valve solenoid and sensor connectors, oil feed strains, and the coolant hose. With all the pieces out of the best way, all that remained have been the turbo mounting bolts. With the turbo fully unfastened from the truck, it was faraway from the engine bay.
Once all the components that wanted to be swapped have been moved over to our new turbo, reassembly started. After a couple of hours of creating positive all the pieces was excellent throughout the set up, our turbocharger was in, the truck was began, and we checked for any coolant or exhaust leaks — we had none.
As Fleece preached, we ran the truck at a low idle for 3 minutes to forestall oil hunger harm to the brand new bearing system, in addition to purging any residual contaminants from the bearing housing. We have been additionally instructed to clock the E.O. identification quantity label in a method through which a smog technician can confirm the E.O. quantity.
The components that wanted to be swapped over to the Cheetah have been relocated and our new unit was able to drop in.
(*50*)Driving Impressions
Since this can be a store truck, a number of folks have the pleasure of driving it. More than one individual has witnessed this truck earlier than the improve and understands what it was able to previous to the failure. Now, with this new turbo on board, it’s clear they’re pleased with the end result. Everyone who has piloted it for the reason that improve has seen the truck is rather more responsive.
When you drop the truck into drive and put your foot on the accelerator, it will get going a lot faster than ever. It provides extra top-end energy, and the sound output is music to their ears. The turbo spools in a short time after which opens up because the RPM and MPH climb. All due to that Variable Nozzle Turbo Technology.
We are ecstatic about how this truck turned out after this CARB-legal turbo improve. It is now past enjoyable to drive and we’re excited to place this factor to some critical work for tons of of 1000’s of miles to return. If you’re prepared to present your truck the upgrades it deserves, take a look at Fleece Performance.
https://www.chevyhardcore.com/tech-stories/power-adders/changing-to-a-cheetah-a-turbo-upgrade-for-a-dead-duramax/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=changing-to-a-cheetah-a-turbo-upgrade-for-a-dead-duramax
