Turbo Charging A Tundra!

Jesse was also a character in the movie, and (aside the whole getting gunned down part) I can't help but chuckle every time Jesse's name shows up on my caller ID.

 

Like the actual Jesse from Turbo or a guy named Jesse?

 

Jesse was the characters name in the movie.

 

Jesse from Turbokits. I don't know the actual actor (or the actors real name).

 

Been a min since I saw it...

 

Thank you.
I think at the beginning Jesse was very clear that Stage 1 is what "most" people would need, but your user case has confirmed to be a little more different (more towing) but I think the difference between Stage 1 vs 2 (correct me if I am wrong @TurboKits.com ) is more so on the few other parts, such as intercooler and bigger turbo/fuel pump and such.
It is exciting to see your journey as mine was cut short due to having a weird electrical gremlin that I did not want to complicate with adding FI and possibly killing the whole thing, which is hard but with electrical, everything is on the table and all bets are off.
Now that my starter/electrical has been addressed (knock on wood), hopefully when finance picks up I will be able to jump on the FI wagon..... Though, TC+SC is a total myth at this point without ripping the whole truck apart.

 

As I'm tracking via all my conversations:
Stage 1 kit (only option on their site) - 7675 turbo, wastegate, blow off valve, AEM water/meth kit, MAF sensor and custom intake tube
Stage 1.5 - All the same as above, with custom MAF tube and intercooler/piping
Stage 2 - 7675 turbo, wastegate, blow off valve, custom MAF tub and intercooler/piping, DWXXX pump, DW 650 injectors

Here's the tricky part - the optional add-ons, which I can't recommend enough. Having the SCG-1 is game changing and I'm not sure I could have gone down this path without it. The turbo cover to help with heat management, and seeing how well the heat wrap is working makes me wonder where the option actually is (although I think he mentioned they do have a coating option instead which I'm def interested in). Will I keep the water/meth kit with Stage 1.5 or 2? YES, but only because it is yet another safety net. There will be numbers soon enough to help others make informed decisions since I have that 50 mile tow that is fully repeatable and the AEM kit can be essentially turned off with the turn of a dial.

Anyways, @TurboKits.com can correct it all to 100%, but I stand by the add-ons, and especially the SCG1 controller.

 

That's awesome! I'm sure some of the S/C guys would like that Transcooler mount when they upgrade intercoolers. I know I had to tweak the way mine was mounted when I installed the much larger frozenboost ic.

 

Thanks Brian, it was a fun day working along side you and the fabricator to get us ahead of the game on the intercooler set up!!

Brian and Ours plan from way back to our original conversation has always been to test each step and stage for fun and performance, but also get some towing tests on probably the most anyone would want to tow with the truck anyway.

Timeline
Stage 1 Install, tune and test for an upcoming 50+ mile trip with the camper.
Stage 1.5 Install, tune and test for his longer trips over the summer which will be multiple hundreds of miles, higher elevation and much longer hills towing the same camper
Stage 2, since it's only Inj & Pump away, seems like a no brainer now with how the results have come in so far.

The Stage 1 has already far surpassed our expectations, we originally figured the stage 1 would be mostly for the weekend warrior type who loves driving a truck, uses it for homesteading, maybe some light towing, etc. But anyone that was going to be doing serious towing would want to jump to the Stage 2. Now, would we suggest towing plans like Brian has consistently over the summer on the Stage 1, probably not, but the testing and data that Brian has and will help provide is great information for all (Thanks Bri!). The Stage 1 would be perfect for what we use our shop Tundras for; mostly fun, primarily daily driven, some off roading, maybe a few tows a year and even powersport, lighter towing on a more consistent basis. We are still not sure if we will do a Stage 1.5, since the Stage 2 as stated is only a set of injectors and pump away. There may not be space in the line up for it. Time, and demand, will answer that question.

Yesterdays Work:
-We created a custom bracket and mounting for Brians Setrab trans cooler. Ran out of time to move the connection from his 15row to the 20row, so he will get that set up shortly and give some feedback. Concern with the new location is adequate air flow, does look like there is room enough for a fan if needed. Our and our fabricators brains where spinning tho and have some ideas on a set up that would drop right in. We're planning something soon for that!

-In order to get ahead of the game for his longer tows, we wanted to get the intercooler and piping installed while we relocated the trans cooler. Everything is terminated where it comes into the engine bay and caps are on the piping / couplers to make sure they are protected from debris. This way, once he completes the upcoming Stage 1 tow, we already have the Stage 1.5 ready to be flipped on. Which literally, it's is "flipped on" loosen the compressor housing, spin it 180*, connect to the coupler, install the piping from the intercooler coupler to the throttle body and done

Hiccups:
-Looks like the bellows / flex section on Brians cross over pipe cracked. We grabbed a turbo flex (6" instead of the 4" we were using and double lined from vibrant) and installed it. We will be doing this on all kits moving forward, so that this does not happen again!

-Yes, there are 2 mounting studs that hold the brake lines to the side of the fender. We pull the brake lines up and clamp them closer to the fuse box for clearance. We used a small pneumatic angle grinder and a cookie / sanding wheel and knocked those down so they weren't rubbing on anything.

-After a few cold starts with some smoke reported by Brian and his upcoming family trip, out of caution, we swapped the center section for a NEW one we had on the shelf. Due to a fault on our end, we sent the incorrect oil fitting, which Brian reported way back, We wanted to make sure that potentially no metal shavings from the cross threading got into the turbo and would rear its head, in worse ways, later on. We'll get the turbo off to Precision for inspection as well for more info. Our 2008 and 2014, plus the 2021 we tested had 0 issues and bone-dry turbos, so we are leaning more towards the flex section failure allowing moisture in than it actually being the turbo, as there were no signs of residue on any of the exhaust parts of the turbo or piping.

-It was late, and our brains were running on E. So we are still not sure what changed from when we took it off to putting it back on. But we elongated the slotting on the up-pipe bracket a tad and everything dropped right back into place, and dare I say it was more centered with better clearance than when we removed it. So a lesson learned, but the install is cleaner now! We will be elongating the slot on all up-pipe brackets moving forward to allow more adjustment during install.

-Brian will get us some logs, to make sure the flex section failure hasn't changed anything on the tune and we'll be back at it with more data for everyone!

Thanks!

Stage 1 - Turbo, Wastegate, BOV, Hot side Piping, Water Meth, High Flow MAF
Stage 1.5 - If we do it, would JUST be adding the intercooler to the above
Stage 2 - same EVERYTHING as stage 1, but no water meth standard (will be an option), intercooler set up and DW Injectors and Pump for higher boost / HP potential.

One of the cool things about our development steps. Is that we have been able to fabricate and build the system so it is modular between the Stage 1 and Stage 2. It runs all of the same exact hot side piping, same wastegate, same BOV, same upgraded MAF sensor, same turbo, etc. The only difference is instead of the straight shot coupler to the throttle body with METH for chemical cooling, We added a front mount intercooler. That way, someone can start with the Stage 1 kit and if they either want more power or to add an intercooler due to the demands on their Tundra, they can do so without having to replacement any parts from the Stage 1

To answer the question about add ons
-SCG1: Anyone running any type of forced induction will want a boost gauge and AFR gauge at minimum. We love the SCG1 since it has both in a single gauge, at a great price and adds the capability to control boost as well, with quite a few failsafe boost cuts you can set up based on RPM, AFR and Boost levels.

-Heat Wrap/Blanket: yes the heat wrap is awesome and adds tons of extra safety / heat control margin. The reason this is going to be optional, is that there are 100 different places someone can get header wrap and turbo blankets, etc. Heck a customer may even have a spool in their garage from another project, so we didn't want to force anyone to pay more for something they didn't need. We found this out quite a while ago with our other kits, when every 3rd question was "Can I get the kit without". So as we develop kits now, we try to piecemeal them a bit more.

-Water Meth: while it is standard with the Stage 1, the stage 2 it will be optional. The stage 2 charge piping already has the 1/8 NPT bung provision in before the connection to the throttle body. That way, if someone is upgrading from 1 to 2, or want to add METH the Stage 2 kit It's all ready to go. We LOVE water meth, it's cheap insurance, and it's like running 100oct, but only when you need it. We run it on everything and have since 2005.

I hope I answered all the questions. Ask away if not !!

 

Some quick photos to help with the cooler(s) relocation and install. My phone is filthy and the sun is giving a nasty glare, so set expectations low for overall quality.

 

@TurboKits.com - please relay my thanks to the fabricator, again. I'm realizing the photos aren't doing the strength of the mount any justice, and perhaps the location isn't ideal, but that's not his or your faults. I had an existing aftermarket part that you haven't had to deal with yet because it's a 19+ issue. I also asked you to relocate a larger version of said part. Even with less airflow, I'm doubtful I'll lose anything as a result of the new unit being ~30% more efficient, but we'll know more soon enough.

Just wanted to be crystal clear to all that the location is 100% the direct result of me bringing a solution because that's been the standard for 19-21's. Square peg/round hole scenario. All my fault.

 

NICE!

 

Hmm...that trans mount may actually interfere with the default ic pump location for s/c applications

 

Possibly and perhaps. For reference, that vertical black bracket is the center hood latch support bracket?

 

Correct.

 

The current Setrab Pro line 15 or 20 rows that most use from the GCS kit wouldn't work without more fab work to try and offset both parts. Test results over the next few weeks will better inform if this is/should even be an option.

I am betting there are better options, though, and I'm sure Jesse already has 10 different options he's mulling over after yesterday

 

Oh yes, LOL!

 

Very close to complete the lift kit install on my Tundra. Some minor tweaks to be addressed this week. My Turbo kit was delivered this week and I am super excited about it! My Turbo kit install Journey starts at some point this week!

 

Excited to flight follow! Looking forward to seeing how things go for you and seeing how similar the experiences are.

Truck looks great, btw.

I'll be buttoning up my stage 1 towing next weekend and then moving on to stage 1.5 immediately after. Learning lots along the way, and I'm excited to see if yours is an even smoother process and your thoughts after it's installed.

 

Definitely, let's see!

Thanks! Here is another pic. that I took today. This is my dream truck!

Nice! I am glad to know that specially because I want the stage 1.5 too. For sure I will be learning a lot from this experience too. At least my kit already has all the updates from your feedback. That helps a lot specially for me living at PR, really far from Jesse. The other thing is that I have to mod the cross over pipe due to the 6 in. lift kit. This is something that I knew before. Jesse sent me the cross over first to test it, but I asked him to send the whole kit anyways because I really wanted it. I am decided to do all I can to make this work on my lifted Tundra.

 

You've got this! And knowing Jesse, he's got your back throughout it all.

 

When are you guys just gonna face it that you’ll all end up at “stage 2”+?

 

Good point!

 

Since I was forced into retirement earlier than I planned I will most likely never experience the thrill of that feeling. Enjoy fellas!!

 

I already have. Although I'm really thinking I'm good at stage 2.05 (the .05 is for the adjustable FPR).

 

Dragy time.

 

It's on my list. Lol

Maybe I'll order it this week and get a few runs in at "crawl phase stage 1" before flipping to the intercooler (we'll call that "walk stage 1.5"). Then I can get more along the way as I journey myself to full Stage 2.

I'm currently running 14% wastegate duty cycle to keep boost at ~3psi unloaded, and likely dropping to 10% DC while towing to keep it below 4psi. The intercooler will allow me to raise that a bit, but full Stage 2 will be interesting.

Jesse would probably be a better baseline. I'm running E-rated tires and have 5.29s. His shop mules are dang near stock aside from the turbo.

 

Not sure how this compares, but here's my second of two attempts. I saw 4.1psi of peak boost and I know for sure I can improve my own skills (the launch was def pathetic).

Edit: Sanitized Image

 

I’m sure it has a lot more in it between you getting used to launching, incorporating some brake boosting, and cooler ambient temps with a lower density altitude. That’s about what a stock tundra will run, do you have it loaded down pretty good? Several of us are sub 5 seconds to 60. I’m at 4.5 to 60 (4.3 w/ 1’ rollout) and an 1/8 mile at 8.30@84mph on 315/70/17s on 9psi. I’ll have to get you included on the dragy PM.

 

Can you help define "loaded down good"? At baseline it is a heavy girl (air bags, RAS, about 100lbs in the bed, and then the 97lbs/corner wheel/tire setup). Otherwise, nothing really worth mentioning - 5.29s, Grip Pro, mild lift, tri-fold tonneau cover. This will end up being my baseline for all future pulls.

I do suppose I could have tried T/H mode, but wanted to ensure I wasn't playing dirty. I def need to practice launching it, but was curious and wanted to post up original values. The trans hasn't been tuned at all, so there is also room there (based one what I've read from a few of you). I'll take it for now, though. The numbers are just a little bit of fun. More importantly, I towed 80 miles this morning at just shy of 15k lbs - I'll take a 15 second 1/4 mile. lol