What with a GPT38r and a PHP Phoenix reburn get me?
 

I'm very happy with the PHP Phoenix chip in my 2000 F-350. I mostly use it for hauling our RV and the engine is otherwise pretty stock except for a 6637 air cleaner.

Will a GPT38r turbo do much for me after getting the Phoenix reburned to support it if I don't upgrade injectors, the oil pump, etc?

I'm no looking at making a 500hp sled hauler, but the turbo is getting a lot of miles on it and when it's time to change it out, I'm thinking about a turbo upgrade vs. a rebuild.

There is no reason whatsoever to have anything done to the tuning for a drop-in replacement turbocharger.

There is no "supporting" a GTP38R (and "upgrade" is kind of a stretch anyway).

So the fact that the 38r can flow more air than the stock one and spools up faster can't be utilized by the programming?

Correct.

There's no magic to the almighty "38R". It's a stock replacement turbocharger with [in my mind] inferior roller bearings, a slightly less restrictive turbine housing than stock, a compressor wheel that's slightly larger than stock (to make up for the less efficient stepped-blade design), and a ported intake duct that widens the compressor map a little more to help fend off surge.

So what would you run as a basic turbo set up that can run stockish and then be built upon for the 500-550 range?

I just installed a gtp38r after my stocker with thrust bearings started throwing oil down my intake, and eventually gave up the ghost. Everyone has their opinions, but I can honestly say that the truck is an entirely different animal with this turbo compared to the stocker. The spool is so fast and it takes so little throttle input to start to build boost that the driveability of the truck has changed entirely. My stock turbo with 260k on the odo would require much more throttle input to get boost going and that throttle input would often trigger a downshift and higher revs that I didn't want or need. Now the truck will stay in gear with the TC locked and just build boost/speed. Some may say this turbo is inferior to a thrust bearing/t4 setup, but I personally say it was one of the best mods I have done to date, and it made the truck that much more enjoyable to drive.:thumbs up yellow: Now if I can just get my 6pos chip from php in the mail, we will be in business! :)

i think the key to this one is that you replaced a turbo that had 260K on it with a new "stock replacement". you would most likely have felt the same "improvement" had you put a NEW stock turbo on it as well.