upgrade to TE44

[86SS86LS]

I'm looking at replacing my stock turbo with a TE44. How much work is involved with swapping turbos? I'm relatively new to turbobuicks so I'd like to understand what kind of time and expense is involved. Will the TE44 bolt directly in place of the stock turbo? Can I use the stock waste gate?

And to those that have upgraded to a TE44, how does it compare to the stock turbo assuming you still run the stock torque converter? In other words does it "feel" stronger during regular street driving or is the main advantage seen on WOT runs at 24+psi?

 

[t-typex1]

Its quite easy. Disconnect the vacuum hoses, 2 bolts for the oil return on the bottom of the turbo, disconnect the wastegate rod, and 3 bolts for the turbo.

 

[murphster]

If your downpipe hasn't been off the turbo in a long time, it can be hard getting the bolts out. They've been known to break off, so have some spares ready. The header bolts might take a little work too. Spray penetrating oil on everything. It can be a pain to get to the bolts that hold the oil line on sometimes too, changing them over to allen head bolts makes it easier.

Also good to have a gasket around for the big oil line hookup, they can leak with a bad gasket. Might want to have a header to turbo gasket too. Use antisieze on the downpipe bolts so next time it won't be so bad. You can unplug the orange ecm line by the battery and turn over the engine a few times and let oil pressure build up before starting it up to verify no major oil leaks, etc.

The 44 will probably benefit from a little higher stall, but should be ok with a good stock converter. The benefit over a stocker will mainly be on the mid to top end at 20+ lbs of boost. A simple boost controller like the RJC one will help build boost faster. You won't feel much on the street unless you are running really high boost. At higher boosts you'll feel the difference on the highway though.

TE44 uses a wastegate that bolts up different from a stocker (TA49 and other TA series uses the same one as the stocker). The wastegate can be modified or a bracket ordered for it (some places might sell this). Or you can buy a whole new HD wastegate for a TE series turbo from lots of places.

 

[jcawley3]

I just did a swap myself.......a few things a learned:
1. make sure you have a good "thick" gasket for the oil drain line..the ones they sell at your local parts store are thin and leak..
2. If your keeping the stock DP be careful with the bolts on the elbow I broke 2 of them off....
3. get a good gasket for 3 bolt connection....

I had never done anything like this before and it took about 2 hours...that was 2 trips to the parts store...If I had to do it again probably take no longer than an hour...take the advice above and change the bolts for the oil drain thats what took upp most of the time trying to get them started.....

 

[jcawley3]

oh yeah, I had to drill the holes out a little on the drain line and the actuator to make them fit this was going from a stock turbo to a t63e not sure about the 44

 

[86SS86LS]

Can I use the the stock turbo with a TE44? And I currently have 30lb injectors and alcohol injection, will I need larger injectors? Also, any tips on what to look for when buying a used turbo?

 

[jcawley3]

did you mean stock Downpipe?

 

[Boost231]

did you mean stock Downpipe?

i think he ment dp. yes you can.

 

[GNVYUS 1]

If you are buying it new, I would go with a 61 turbo, the newer wheels make more power and spool faster.

 

[Boost231]

i would get a GT6131E. very nice turbo and spools like crazy.

 

[murphster]

Can I use the the stock turbo with a TE44? And I currently have 30lb injectors and alcohol injection, will I need larger injectors? Also, any tips on what to look for when buying a used turbo?

With alky, you can use those injectors until you start running high boost, say low 20's psi or so. Make sure the chip is set to max fuel and you also might have to jack up the fuel pressure some. You should be able to run low 12's easy on 30# injectors and alky, just watch your O2 and knock to make sure you are not going lean up top.

If you decide to run more boost, say >21-22 psi, you'll probably need to upgrade the injectors to be safe, but you can max out the alky first and see where it will take you.

Make sure the stuff like cooling system, fuel delivery, voltage, etc is all working good and upgraded as needed. I know of multiple cars that have run mid-low 12's on a fairly stock setup with 30# injectors and alky. The TE44/TA49 is a good upgrade assuming you are having problems with your current stock turbo. If there's nothing wrong with your stock turbo, you should be running mid 12's on your current setup before considering a bigger turbo.