Making your own ball bearing turbo.

[turbovanman²]

Ok, I've seen the pics and basically, all they've done is hog out the cartridge and used sealed type bearings and a thrust collar in the center, just like wheels etc so why not make your own. If you could buy the bearings, and have the cartridge machined for them, why not? I have access to a machine shop who could do this for me? I found sources for ceramic and hybrid ceramic bearings, also thrust bearings like Turbonetics has.

[gvare001]

Do ball bearing turbos also require an oil supply line?

[turbovanman²]

Do ball bearing turbos also require an oil supply line?

Yes, but not nearly as much oil as a regular turbo.

[guyd_15]

I've wondered myself... Just never had a cartridge to compare.

[gvare001]

Simon, I take it that you won't be doing the bench testing for the home made ball bearing turbo!

[turbovanman²]

Simon, I take it that you won't be doing the bench testing for the home made ball bearing turbo!

Maybe, lol!

[mw6886]

So,


Got any? I have like 10 CHRAs laying around.

[turbovanman²]

So,


Got any? I have like 10 CHRAs laying around.

Pics of what? just throwing the idea around to see what people think.

[Bebo]

I'm interested in seeing some pics of a conversion myself. Also, could this be done to any turbo like the turbo on my SRT. I understand you'll have to put a restrictor in the oil supply line.

[turbovanman²]

I'm interested in seeing some pics of a conversion myself. Also, could this be done to any turbo like the turbo on my SRT. I understand you'll have to put a restrictor in the oil supply line.

I don't even know if it can be done. Also have to figure out how to seal the bearings so the oil doesn't get into the exhaust and comp housings and leak boost.

[cordes]

What would be the total on that? I have got to believe that economies of scale would come into play here, and that the big guys would come out ahead big time. I could be wrong though.

[Directconnection]

Ok, I've seen the pics and basically, all they've done is hog out the cartridge and used sealed type bearings and a thrust collar in the center, just like wheels etc so why not make your own. If you could buy the bearings, and have the cartridge machined for them, why not? I have access to a machine shop who could do this for me? I found sources for ceramic and hybrid ceramic bearings, also thrust bearings like Turbonetics has.

Will you stop it with the brainstorming? It's going to bite you in the arse! I doubt any bearing you can get over the shelf will support the rpms a turbo puts out (along with the heat.... friction....axial play...)

[turbovanman²]

Why, do you think the guy that invented the car sat around and thought nothing of his invention? how about turbo's, ball bearing turbo's, radial tires, the list goes on. I found some ceramic bearings so I'll call them up and see what they think. I have access to a free machine shop so why not,

Yes, but they were Engineers by trade and most likely brilliant minds as well.

Trying to outsmart an engineer at his own trade because you want to stick it to the man to save $50 will bite you in the arse in the end. I'll gladly leave that avenue to the professionals.

Put it into perspective: (kidding aside as this is REALLY where I am coming from and not joking this time) How much talk, time, $, research, love/hate, blood and sweat you have into this thing, is it worth it to take a chance?

If it was a beater or test mule, then of course! Try it out man! Just not on something you put too much of yourself into right now and it isn't together yet.

Just showing ya the love, man! because i care for you!

[Ken F]

damn we're cheap...

When it comes to something as precisely engineered as a turbo, i think we should probably be leaving this up to the experts. For those who disagree I simply suggest there are better ways to go fast for less. such as building up an old V8 car

[Frank]

talk to gasketmaster... i believe he has a kit for taking T04E hybrids and putting dBB center sections... heck, I even thing Chris Wright can do it, but have never heard.

[Aries_Turbo]

its hard to find bearings that can take that RPM. I looked into turning a rotomaster turbocharger into a supercharger. i was talking to a bearing house and they only knew of a few places to get bearings that can take the 100k+ rpms. its possible but its going to take some work and some trial and error.

Brian

[Directconnection]

Yes, but they were Engineers by trade and most likely brilliant minds as well.

Trying to outsmart an engineer at his own trade because you want to stick it to the man to save $50 will bite you in the arse in the end. I'll gladly leave that avenue to the professionals.

Put it into perspective: (kidding aside as this is REALLY where I am coming from and not joking this time) How much talk, time, $, research, love/hate, blood and sweat you have into this thing, is it worth it to take a chance?

If it was a beater or test mule, then of course! Try it out man! Just not on something you put too much of yourself into right now and it isn't together yet.

Just showing ya the love, man! because i care for you!

How did MY post become YOUR post? hehe

[turbovanman²]

How did MY post become YOUR post? hehe

Dude, wrote over my post, WTH,

Anyhow, just because someone says it can't be done, why not try. I have plenty of old turbos kicking around so if I can find a bearing that can take the tortue, why the hell not,

And basically I said earlier is if everyone listened to all the naysayers, we wouldn't have any new technology like we do,, we'd still be grunting, making fire and clubbing woman,

[Directconnection]

Dude, wrote over my post, WTH,

Anyhow, just because someone says it can't be done, why not try. I have plenty of old turbos kicking around so if I can find a bearing that can take the tortue, why the hell not,

And basically I said earlier is if everyone listened to all the naysayers, we wouldn't have any new technology like we do,, we'd still be grunting, making fire and clubbing woman,

True, but if the bearing fails, think of all that bearing debris running through the precious T-III cam bearing housings and cam journals, in the nice eagle rods and bearings, destroying your forged crank, ruining yopur pistons and bores and crashing the wheels into their respective housings. Not worth the risk if you ask me. (not sure what smiley to use)

[Ken F]

And basically I said earlier is if everyone listened to all the naysayers, we wouldn't have any new technology like we do,, we'd still be grunting, making fire and clubbing woman,

Granted, but this isn't 'new' technology. It is an attempt to recreate new technology for less. I think that there is enough competition that if the process were as simple as it is being played out to be, that the big manufacturers would have taken advantage of it.

I just don't want to see a thread tomorrow titled, "Making your own compressor wheel"