Question Turbo Surge

How bad is Turbo Surge? What parts does it effect the most? I only really ever get it when I'm towing and it kinda worries me.... Should I be worried?

I know changing to the wicked wheel is suppose to fix this issue. I just haven't had the money or time to even begin looking into getting one. I'd much rather invest in a new.... bigger turbo lol

Travis

Simply put ?

No REAL worries about Surge.. more of a Performace Bummer, and PIA * ?

An early 99 compressor wheel (commonly called a Wicked Wheel) won't "FIX" the surge.. but it does Lessen it.

The root issue is.. The inlet on the stock turbo is to small.. it won't let enough air in.. under certain throttle/power demands. (compressor stall)

A Wicked Wheel, and a Ported (bigger inlet) shroud.. on a stock turbo will almost eliminate it ? (almost)

The "Fix" (IMO) ? Most Ball Bearing turbo's have a bigger exhaust driven wheel, bigger compressor wheel and a larger (matching) inlet.. that provides a 7.3 with all the intake air it needs and/or wants.. with faster, more consistent, smoother spool up.. resulting No surge. EGTs are cooler too.

Joe

*On edit: There [can be] some long term, turbo longivity concerns from surge due to the Loading & Un-loading (again, compressor stalls) of a stock turbo shaft and it's bushing.. if you WORK a stock 7.3 a lot.. like frequent towing/carrying heavy loads ?

Thanks BIG JOE. I don't tow with her all that much... and when I do I tend to slowly increase my throttle as to not cause surge. Works 90% of the time and tends to get me up to speed quicker and more efficiently then just massing the peddle lol.


Travis

Mashing the throttle is NOT good for any of these turbo'd engines. The turbo can't spool up fast enough and you get the farts and surging. The turbo's are machines and need to be treated like machines, with thoughtful application of the throttle.

Dave

No arguing there DaveBen. I never mash it. I've always increased the throttle slowly until the turbo spools then I back off a little as to avoid surging.

Travis

Ported houseing is the way to go, i had bad surge, put on a housing an completly eliminated it.