View Full Version : BD Thruster vs 38R
rammertide07
Tue, June 5th, 2012, 05:16 PM
I ordered a 38R but got the BD unit. Already expressed my aggravation in an email and don't have time to get another turbo. Anybody got experience with both of these?
cleatus12r
Wed, June 6th, 2012, 12:32 AM
Identical save for the center section (roller bearings vs. journal bearings).
rammertide07
Wed, June 6th, 2012, 11:04 AM
save for the center section (roller bearings vs. journal bearings).
What do you mean? Did a quick Google search on "BD thruster roller bearings" and didn't get any related results.
cleatus12r
Wed, June 6th, 2012, 09:16 PM
What do you mean? Did a quick Google search on "BD thruster roller bearings" and didn't get any related results.
The Garrett has ceramic roller bearings in the center section. The BD turbocharger offering uses a journal bearing.
rammertide07
Wed, June 6th, 2012, 10:52 PM
Oh...and the interchange?
cleatus12r
Wed, June 6th, 2012, 11:09 PM
What do you mean?
They both bolt in place of the stock turbocharger.
rammertide07
Wed, June 6th, 2012, 11:53 PM
I thought you was saying the bearings from both turbos interchange? I couldn't have gotten the 38R anyways, its been on back order. Riff Raff just got 5 in. The owner of the company that sold me the turbo said the BD is "hands down the better turbo".
cleatus12r
Fri, June 8th, 2012, 01:33 AM
They're both stock replacements.....
Not much to say other than that.
Redneck51592
Wed, June 20th, 2012, 02:10 PM
personally i like the 38R better i think the roller bearing is more reliable at elevated boost levels
cleatus12r
Wed, June 20th, 2012, 09:03 PM
personally i like the 38R better i think the roller bearing is more reliable at elevated boost levels
So you're basing the "roller bearings are better" on an opinion? :matt-roloff:
Most all aftermarket turbochargers used by high performance builders are journal bearing units. Stock turbochargers used by ALL manufacturers of light duty and heavy duty over the road trucks use journal bearings and they last hundreds of thousands of miles.
Personally I like the stock turbochargers on my trucks, but hey, everyone's got an opinion!
rammertide07
Thu, June 21st, 2012, 07:09 PM
From what I have read, the ball bearing is more forgiving with an unbalanced assembly. The owner of Pensacola Diesel said he has had twice the warranty claims with the 38R than the BD unit.
I like the stock turbo as well, but after going through 2 of them I figured I'd upgrade.