TA49 vs stock turbo

[stickybones]

I just installed a TA49 turbo I bought from Limit engineering. The compressor housing looks exactly like the stocker which is what I expected but the compressor wheel also looks exactly like the stocker. Thought they were different. I also had to reuse the stock inlet bell on the new turbo. I thought the TA49 was supposed to have a bigger inlet diameter. The exhaust housing of the TA49 was bigger than the stocker...another unexpected sight. Is this typical of the TA49? Is this just Limit's TA49 and they're all a bit different? I guess I'm a bit confused by what I saw.

In street trim, it drives just like the stocker...even though I've only put about 20 miles on the car since I finished the job last night. Have to wait for the track results soon.

 

[UNGN]

A 49 has a bigger compressor inlet and wheel than the stock turbo. If your stock turbo inlet bell fits without a step on the TA 49, somebody has machined it out or the turbo you put on isn't a TA49.

The exhaust housing is only bigger if it has a Precision Exhaust Housing, which is bigger than a stock Garrett housing. This is an Option, but Stock housings are getting hard to find.

It street trim a TA49 will drive like a stocker. Only when you get above 18 psi will there be a difference.

 

[stickybones]

Do you know what the diameter of the TA49 inlet is supposed to be so I can measure what Limit sent to me?

And yes, when I ordered it, I asked for the PTE housing. I thought it was going to be a PTE compressor housing...not the exhaust side.

 

[Intercooler]

Originally posted by stickybones
I just installed a TA49 turbo I bought from Limit engineering. The compressor housing looks exactly like the stocker which is what I expected but the compressor wheel also looks exactly like the stocker. Thought they were different. I also had to reuse the stock inlet bell on the new turbo. I thought the TA49 was supposed to have a bigger inlet diameter. The exhaust housing of the TA49 was bigger than the stocker...another unexpected sight. Is this typical of the TA49? Is this just Limit's TA49 and they're all a bit different? I guess I'm a bit confused by what I saw.

In street trim, it drives just like the stocker...even though I've only put about 20 miles on the car since I finished the job last night. Have to wait for the track results soon.

The dead give-away is the stocker has 14 inlet blades on the compressor side compared to 12 (I think). www.gnttype.org has it in the technical section under turbo photo i.d. guides.

Actually here is a photo of the 44 showing 6 minors/6 majors and the stocker showing 7 minors/7 majors. http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/pictureguides/turboguide/TE44vsstock.html

 

[strikeeagle]

stickybones,

I have a billet aluminum inlet bell for a TA49 for sale for $30. You interested?

 

[dgreene]

Do you know what the diameter of the TA49 inlet is supposed to be so I can measure what Limit sent to me?

I think the stocker is 49mm and the TA-49's inlet is 58mm wide. That's on the compressor houseing not the inlet bell.

Hope this helps.

 

[stickybones]

Thanks. My new turbo passed the ID check. It's got 6 major/minor blades and the inlet opening measured in at 59mm. I bought the car used 10 years ago so I guess at one point the stock inlet bell and compressor must have been opened up.

So, no thanks strikeeagle, my "stock" bell has already been opened up to size.

But my friggin' oil return line on the turbo is already leaking. Any suggestions on how to seal this right? I used the new gasket provided with the turbo. Should I use a smear of silicon on this to get a good leakproof seal? I reused the old oil return tube.

One mo' thing. I hope to escape the house and take it to the track either this Friday or next. Whadda think it'll run (see list of mods below)? I'll be using my street tires (BFG g-force 245/50s) with JC93 chip and xylene/gas mixture just turning up the boost to 20ish. Hoping for a low 13 @ about 104-105 mph.

Mike

 

[MeanBuicks]

The return lines can crack.

Mine did once. Look at where yours is leaking closely as it may not be the flange/gasket.

 

[dgreene]

Glad to hear that everything is good to go for you. I had the same thing once when I bought my TA-49. It looked so much like stock that I couldn't believe that it was an upgrade.....then I measured the inlet port! Mean is right about the return, they crack pretty easily and if you bumped it much while doing the install that could be your problem. Good luck!!

 

[ES1]

I ran 12.9 @ 106 with similar mods & boost. I had Nittos with 1.8 60. I was real rich early and had a poor 1/8 time. This was leaving with 5psi and I was running the JC 93 chip.

 

[stickybones]

Ahh...12's would be nice, but I don't think I'll get there running my street tires.

 

[TRBON8R]

sticky,

If you wind up having to replace the gasket for the oil return, use an original GM gasket. They are thicker than the aftermarket jobs I have seen and look to be better made.

 

[stickybones]

Well it's definitely leaking at the gasket.

Can you believe it. I just put this thing on Sunday. I just tried to undo the oil return tube-to-turbo connection. Got the bolts out, but I can't separate the tube from the turbo. I put the gasket in dry and now it seems like it's stuck like glue. Damn stuff like this pisses me off. There's no way I'm pulling this turbo just to fix this. WTF?