PTE Turbo reliability discussion

[JusMX141]

Guys, there really is no point to recording the information from Ball Bearing units.

A ball bearing turbo is either going to make boost when it's new or it's not. As long as it's fed a clean low-pressure and low-volume oil source, it's lifespan is literally indefinite. There is no thrust system in a ball bearing turbo, nor do you have to worry about sudden drops in oil pressure causing metal-on-metal contact of the bearings because the bearings are always metal-on-metal.

The objective here is trying to determine exactly why the journal bearing PTE units are failing with such low mileage when sourced exactly how PTE recommends.

 

[icemanracing]

Which PTE turbo?: PTE SC6131 Ball Bearing
Balance shafts?: no
Ported OFH?: no
Where where you sourcing oil from?: head, 4an line without restrictor
when did the turbo blown?: It has lasted 5,000 miles and counting Daily Driven car.

 

[sbiggi]

You are missing a important part of the oiling equation. The oil drain line, size and configuration.

You are missing a important part of the oiling equation. The oil drain line, size and configuration.

and with that said

Which PTE turbo?: PTE SC6152e Journal bearing
Balance shafts?: No
Ported OFH?: Yes, still see over 100psi on cold oil. 75-80 when warmed up.
Where are you sourcing oil from?: Oil fileter housing
Size of feed line and restrictor?: -3an, no restrictor
Has the turbo blown?: No
How many miles did it or is it lasting?: 10K miles so far, running up to 40 psi at times
Return Line: Using a hacked off stock return on the oilpan with same size fitting on turbo. Dont remember size, 5/8" (-10an) maybe

 

[Black95TSIawd]

Below is a post that Matt, DSMonster made on another board. I hope he doesn't get angry that I did a copy and paste, but it is very helpful so I would like to carry it over.




"Just got off the phone with PTE. The drain line is supposed to be minimum -10 with NO 90* angles. 15-20psi feed pressure is ok for minimum on load. With no more than 80psi ever. The FEED line needs to be -4an. And when he is discussing oil pressure he is discussing in the engine (at the OFH).

This is where it gets stupid. . . Then he says that oil pressure after the -4 line at the turbo inlet will read the same as in the engine because oil is non-compressable. . . So why the hell does FP sell oil restrictors if diameter doesn't alter pressure? He says it about flow not really pressure. Which we all know to be the reality. But if the pressure at the turbo oil inlet is X pressure and the chra flows Y flow because of the drain diameter, then Z flow will exist; regardless of the feed line and oil pressure in the engine. So he's claiming that there will be more oil flow with a -4 line. And I say more flow potential. Clamp the drain, and pressure at the chra inlet goes up, but flow doesn't. Clamp the feed and pressure goes down AND flow goes down, exactly what a restrictor does."

 

[gsx4g64]

Which PTE turbo?: PTE 76 gts
Balance shafts?: No
Ported OFH?: Yes, 80psi on cold oil. 40 - 60 when warmed up.
Where are you sourcing oil from?: Oil fileter housing
Size of feed line and restrictor?: -4an, with custom restrictor
Has the turbo blown?: Yes. a few times prior to adding a restrictor
How many miles did it or is it lasting?: It use to blow at random milage. One time, it blew with no miles. installed and started to smoke. PTE at first didnt want to exchange turbo.

 

[red1993gsallmt]

is that at idle or redline?^^^^^

 

[gsx4g64]

is that at idle or redline?^^^^^

When the car is cold it idles about 1500 rpms, and the oil pressure is high. Once the car warmsup it idles at about 1100 and the oil pressure is between 40 and 60. Iam using a race pump. This my be the reason for the higher oil pressure.

 

[red1993gsallmt]

that may not be such a great thing, mine was that high. once i droped it i noticed the motor reved twice as fast as it did before. what is it at redline

 

[Long Duk Dong]

I have used Precision Turbo turbos since 1996. They include the following - TA49, PT52, PT54, TE60, TE62, TE63-1, PT70, PT74, PT76, PT88 and the GT4788. They have mostly been journal bearing. They have been used with and without blow off valves. I have used them on everything from Turbo Buicks to Mustangs to LS1 cars. I have only had one fail in the 15 years I have used them. The issue I had was years ago with a TE62. I called Harry and he replaced it without issue. I have always found them to have great customer service and their products to be top notch. I may install one of his 5031 T3 turbos on my AWD. Not sure what is going on but it sounds like there is a common denominator that may not be a QC issue in regards to the turbos themselves. They have a good many import cars running their turbos without issue. Quite a few of those imports are Mitsubishi's. I would suggest calling and leaving a message for Harry informing him of the percentage of turbos failing on Mitsubishi's and see what information he can offer.

 

[BIGBLAZE79]

Which PTE turbo?: PTE SCM4431R BB
Balance shafts?: No
Ported OFH?: No
Where are you sourcing oil from?: Oil fileter housing
Size of feed line and restrictor?: -4AN SS braided line, restrictor that came with the turbo from PTE.
No issues so far, don't know mileage cause the car has been broken for a long time. But it's finally back baby! I would guess about 4 - 7K miles.

 

[JusMX141]

^

Again,

Guys, there really is no point to recording the information from Ball Bearing units.

A ball bearing turbo is either going to make boost when it's new or it's not. As long as it's fed a clean low-pressure and low-volume oil source, it's lifespan is literally indefinite. There is no thrust system in a ball bearing turbo, nor do you have to worry about sudden drops in oil pressure causing metal-on-metal contact of the bearings because the bearings are always metal-on-metal.

The objective here is trying to determine exactly why the journal bearing PTE units are failing with such low mileage when sourced exactly how PTE recommends.

The O.P. needs to change the title to read "PTE Journal Bearing Turbo reliability discussion".

 

[LandoAWD]

Which PTE turbo?: SCM61
Balance shafts?: Neg
Ported OFH?: Neg
Where are you sourcing oil from?: OFH
Size of feed line and restrictor?: -4, no coolant, no restrictor
Has the turbo blown?: Neg
How many miles did it or is it lasting?: 8k (ish) Some smoke under boost, no axial play

 

[Black95TSIawd]

A mod will have to change the title. It will not let me edit that.

And, just an update on my part, or lack there of, but my turbo is not on just yet. I'm having some other issues with my car and the northeast is getting beat with snow so I can't work on it. I'm leaning towards a straight -4 from the OFH and possibly use a .75 restrictor if my oil pressure is over 90psi at redline.

 

[MY1GDSM]

^

The objective here is trying to determine exactly why the journal bearing PTE units are failing with such low mileage when sourced exactly how PTE recommends

Again,


The O.P. needs to change the title to read "PTE Journal Bearing Turbo reliability discussion".

While I understand what your saying, Can't really bash people for posting info about their BB units being there's no mention of this in OPs' First post in-fact he asks to clarify whether they are BB or Journal...

And while I understand trying to get to the route cause of the problems. I don't see the need to exclude one group of turbos. even if they should last forever Imho, It never hurts to have source of info for what works and what doesn't regaredless...

Maybe the OP Could just edit the First Post to more clearly communicate that the main goal it to find the problem of Journal Bearing Pte turbos...

 

[SvarO]

so, so far, the issue with PTE JB is overrated most of them for incorrectly oil restrictor...

I have PTE JB 6262 and it will be soon on my evo II.

my friend with Evo III have.

Which PTE turbo?: PTE 5857
Balance shafts?: No
Ported OFH?: No.
Where are you sourcing oil from?: Head
Size of feed line and restrictor?: -4, no coolant, no restrictor
Has the turbo blown?: Neg
How many miles did it or is it lasting?: several races and still going, even the engine blow haha and still the turbo is strong.

 

[FenixTX717]

My question is where are people putting the restrictor exactly? Meaning what's best, on the turbo itself or actually restricting it at the OFH. I've read/seen some people just weld the OFH fitting and re-drill it to the restriction size they need. I also see (and I got one in my feed kit) that just bolts on the top of the turbo.

Advantages/Dissadvantages from either place and what do people recommend, location wise to put the restrictor?

 

[Black95TSIawd]

Bumping this thread.

There is some fantastic info in here and now, 3 years later, some more of you should share your experiences.

 

[BrokenTsi]

Which PTE turbo?: T4 6466 DBB
Balance shafts?:No
Ported OFH?: Yes
Where are you sourcing oil from?: OFH
Size of feed line and restrictor?: -4AN feed line w/ PTE restrictor it came with
Has the turbo blown?: NO
How many miles did it or is it lasting: 2k miles, never seen under 40psi making 800hp+ and I beat the crap out of it.

 

[boost97gst]

PTE 5858 JOURNAL BEARING/dsm .63 housing
BS delete: NO
Ported OFH: NO
Feed: OFH, 4an. Not restricted. Not water cooled
How long has it lasted: ~4500 miles. No noticeable shaft play. Ran around 30-32 psi. No smoke, no problems at all.

PTE got a bad name. From my limited personal experience it has been a good snail. If I didnt want a FP so bad i would be getting a 6466BB unit for sure. The 3786 or 3794 has caught my eye though.

 

[sbiggi]

You are missing a important part of the oiling equation. The oil drain line, size and configuration.



and with that said

Which PTE turbo?: PTE SC6152e Journal bearing
Balance shafts?: No
Ported OFH?: Yes, still see over 100psi on cold oil. 75-80 when warmed up.
Where are you sourcing oil from?: Oil fileter housing
Size of feed line and restrictor?: -3an, no restrictor
Has the turbo blown?: No
How many miles did it or is it lasting?: 10K miles so far, running up to 40 psi at times
Return Line: Using a hacked off stock return on the oilpan with same size fitting on turbo. Dont remember size, 5/8" (-10an) maybe

3 years later I am still running the same turbo