I want a new compressor wheel but...

[Omnivore30psi]

Ok so my plans for my engine changed slightly a while back and now I'm stuck with a turbo that isn't quite right for my application. I have a 2.5 and I was going to have my head ported, and a valve job, but now all I really want to do is get this engine in this car. The turbo I have is a T3/T4 hybrid with a 57 trim wheel (I know, I know, just keep reading), stage III turbine wheel, and a 0.63 A/R turbine housing. I thought a 57 trim wheel would be good because I was going to be using this car mostly for drag racing, and I'll admit I had the "bigger is better" syndrome (come on, we've all had it at one point right?). Anyhow, now the car is slated to be a daily driver/weekend racer and I want a 50 trim wheel for the broader power band. I like everything else about the turbo except for that compressor wheel. My question is about the balancing process. I can probably swap the wheel easy enough, but how does one go about balancing it. Should I bring it to a shop and have them do everything, or should I have them just balance it while I do the swap? Also does anyone have any precautions before I start taking this apart? Thanks in advance!!

[turbojunker]

take it to a shop, it is balanced before it is put together.

[R/T4ME]

Are you aware that you have to change the compressor housing too? Each trim of wheel fits a specific contour, if this is just too obvious forgive me, I'm new around here!

[Omnivore30psi]

ahh yeah, you know it's so ovious I totally didn't even think about that. well either way, I don't want this 57 series wheel, so I'm gonna bring it to a shop and have them do the work for it. Thanks for the input!

[turbovanman]

Going to be awfully laggy, I would also invest in an adjustable cam gear.

[Omnivore30psi]

laggy? I know the 57 series wheel would be laggy, but you think if I kept everything the same and went for the 50 series it would still be lagging. It's going in a 2.5 engine in an omni.

[turbovanman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omnivore30psi laggy? I know the 57 series wheel would be laggy, but you think if I kept everything the same and went for the 50 series it would still be lagging. It's going in a 2.5 engine in an omni.

Not that, the stage III wheel in a .63 housing. I have the same turbo in my van, ported head, oversize valves, ported 2 piece, header and its laggy. Had to advance the cam to spool it around town.

[xrattiracer]

with a 57 on a stock head, i would be more concerned about surge than lag.

[Omnivore30psi]

yeah, I decided to sell the old turbo and I'm gonna look for another one. I figure I should pretty much break even anyhow. I'm looking into a 50 series trim wheel (obviously), and probably a .63 A/R and a stage III. Turbovanman, I have seen you post all over the place and I bow to your supreme knowledge , but did you do this turbo setup on a 2.5? if so, did playing with the cam help a lot or was it just a patch? What would you recommend for my setup? (mostly stock - forged TII rods, cast mahles, heads are cleaned up a little (casting flash) but not ported beyond that. Looking for ~300hp ish. Any input from anyone is appreciated. I still kinda think a .63 A/R with a 50 series compressor wheel and a stage III would be ok with my setup, even if I have to play with my cam.

[speeduphoria]

I just sold a 50 trim/stgII and I believe that is what you want(good for 400-450hp).
or you could try a turbo like jckrieger on the turbomopar forum(look at this) http://www.****************/forums/showthread.php?t=2096
not sure about on a 2.5 though
Simon has a built 2.5 and it was laggy so he messed w/ the cam to get it to spool
Kevin Davis had the turbo you are talking about w/ 4000rpm stall convertor on a 2.2 and it was laggy
stgII is the way to go for great all around
w/ a nearly stock setup for some street driving you might want a 46trim(300ish)

[turbovanman]

^^^^Thanks. Agreed, same turbo but Stage II wheel. Contraption22 found that lag is severe with stage III, powerwise, virtually Identical to a stage II, so it makes no sense to run a stage III unless you have a 16v setup.

[Omnivore30psi]

I checked out that link and it was very helpful thank you very much. I'm just not so sure about stepping down to the .48 housing. I'd like to keep my options open for more hp in the future, and I feel like that might be a little restrictive if I want to crank the boost up a lot. I'm gonna put mine up for sale here and see what I can get, then I'll keep my eye out for a stage II turbine with the .63 housing and a 50 series compressor wheel. Thanks a lot for all your help. I would've been so mad if my turbo was laggy after all this work. Thanks again!!!!!