5031e

[91gsxnoob]

I recently came across a 5031E 54mm 50trim turbo, has some shaft play but what I was wondering was whether ceramic bearings are better than the factory replacements. Also, should I run a 38mm or 44mm WG? Planned boost will be 25 at the track and around 16-18 daily. Read my mods and tell me what you think, I know I need bigger injectors .

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

You will need bigger injectors, bigger pump, APFR and a few other small items. I am not sure what you are asking about ceramic bearings though. They make a ball bearing 5031e and a journal bearing 5031e which is the same as your stock turbo. The ball bearing version has a little better spool but you can't rebuild them. You have to buy a new center section which in some cases is as much as the whole turbo itself almost. And you would be fine running just a 38mm wastegate to regulate the boost.

 

[91gsxnoob]

I had heard from a Honduh tuner that they make ceramic bearings for my journal bearing turbo. But he was probably blowing smoke. I have heard of the ceramic ball bearings but not journal until then. The same mech. that is overseeing my build is going to rebuild my turbo as well, so I thought I would ask before I purchased the rebuild kit. Also my 190 wont keep up with 560s? I plan on running the injectors I currently have until I have more $$$.

 

[DSM_PWR]

560cc wont support 25lbs of boost efficiently...
At least 650cc

You can find a good used Walbro 255 for $40 in the classifieds

You should be fine with a TiAL 38mm

 

[dsm-onster]

I think he is saying htat the fuel pump won't keep up with the full potential of that turbo. It's good for about 400whp at the very most. The 50-trim with that turbine wheel on yours has done a whole lot more.

I could run my small 16g at 25psi all day long with 550s. It's not about boost it's about flow. The 50trim flows more air than the small 16g at 25psi because of the better flowing turbine.

 

[91gsxnoob]

I plan to keep the boost low with the 560/190 set up. Then late this summer upgrade to 750/255, but for now low boost is fine. The WG will be a big expense, and I need that before the bigger fuel set up, so I gotta prioritize. Anyone selling a 38mm hit me up!

 

[91gsxnoob]

BTW all the info is greatly appreciated!

 

[dsm-onster]

Use your logger to find out what your % Injector Duty Cycle falls. Don't limit yourself to a certain boost, when you could possibly run more. Limit yourself to a certain %IDC. Something I'm sure you already know.

 

[91gsxnoob]

Yeah thats what I was going to do, but I wanted some informed opinions. I will push the current set-up until I can upgrade. But I would like to keep the IDC low for daily and then like 95% under higher boost.

 

[JusMX141]

I recently came across a 5031E 54mm 50trim turbo, has some shaft play but what I was wondering was whether ceramic bearings are better than the factory replacements.

Unless it's a hell of a deal, I would pass on that turbo. I'm very unhappy with Precision's reliability lately....they make me look bad as an experienced turbo rebuilder.

I've never heard of ceramic journal bearings, but if they do exist I'd stay away. Journal bearings are meant to be soft, but not too soft. By ceramic coating a bronze bearing it would make the bearing surface much harder, which would risk grooving the turbine shaft or ovaling the journals in the center housing in the event of oil deprivation.

It's the same as a weak link in a driveline....if you strenghten one part, something else will wear / break as a result.

 

[91gsxnoob]

I purchased it after shipping and paypal fees for $160, and I can get a rebuild kit at cost and installed for free by my machinist. So I dont think I did to bad.

 

[toofast82]

Unless it's a hell of a deal, I would pass on that turbo. I'm very unhappy with Precision's reliability lately....they make me look bad as an experienced turbo rebuilder.

Ill never buy another Precision! But the 50trim is a nice turbo that works well on dsms and maintains good efficeiency to a pretty good boost level. I would run more than 16-18psi on the street on it though.

 

[dsm-onster]

Yea, it's below 70% efficiency by 48lb/min at 27psi. Not too bad, back in the day. Better efficiency than a 20g compressor, which flows about the same.

 

[toofast82]

Yea, it's below 70% efficiency by 48lb/min at 27psi. Not too bad, back in the day. Better efficiency than a 20g compressor, which flows about the same.

The 5otrim along with many other common to4e wheels are ancient technology! Many turbos have come out in the past few years that are much more efficient such as extended tip s56/8 as example. Im not saying this is the baddest turbo and i would probably never run one! It appears he already has it and feels he got a good deal so will be running it. A few years back, the 5otrim was the modern day hx35 and was the "go to" turbo for many dsmers looking to achieve 400whp on pump gas. Remember "the pumpgas king".