So here I am again, thought I would give an update, if any one really cares. Also need a little more help. So for a refresher, I was given a 96 6.5 4x4 from the Father inlaw, and have been rebuilding the engine. Turned out that a valve had broken, and took out the turbo with it. Just got the heads back from the shop, and so far so good. Injectors are done also, and they where bad, I think the bad injectors started the whole melt down. They where factory original. :eek: Motor has 240,000 on the ticker.

Any way, I am trying to keep the costs down, and need a new turbo. I opened it up, and the exhaust side impeller is toast, and the barrings are also bad. I could barely turn the impellers by hand, plus it leaked oil bad. It has a GM-5 in it now, but I found a GM-3 for $250 used in good condition. Should I go this rout, or rebuild.

Thanks again for the help.

I would go for a rebuild of the GM-5 first. Better yet, find a GM-8. You'll be glad you did. The GM-3 was only a so-so performer.

Jake

I would go for a rebuild of the GM-5 first. Better yet, find a GM-8. You'll be glad you did. The GM-3 was only a so-so performer.

Jake

Trying to stay cheap here though. I really dont care about performance, as I dont tow anything, and if I do, that is what the 7.3 Power Stroke is for. ;) My concern is will it work. The GM-5 will be $550 plus core to rebuild, or $650 new no core. :confused:

Trying to stay cheap here though. I really dont care about performance, as I dont tow anything, and if I do, that is what the 7.3 Power Stroke is for. ;) My concern is will it work. The GM-5 will be $550 plus core to rebuild, or $650 new no core. :confused:

Then get surplus 6.2 intake manifold etc. and go N/A. The old manifolds on the 6.5 engine are likely warped and need replacement anyway. fleabay has em for around $100 each.

Then get surplus 6.2 intake manifold etc. and go N/A. The old manifolds on the 6.5 engine are likely warped and need replacement anyway. fleabay has em for around $100 each.

OK, I take that back, I care a little about performance. :D

put on the GM-3. it will work just fine. switch the wastegate actuator over to the GM-3 so that it works off the vacuum control on the engine, and call it good.

put on the GM-3. it will work just fine. switch the wastegate actuator over to the GM-3 so that it works off the vacuum control on the engine, and call it good.

id have to disagree with using a gm-3, i had a fresh one when i got my truck and it would only push 5lb with a stock can actuator and my egt would go through the roof in a hurry, the gm-5 i had was considerably better and swapping to a gm-8 on the new motor is far and away better performing.

a gm3 has such a small compressor housing and poor elbow flow that it should not really be used, a gm-5 actuator will not work on a gm-3, totally different setup, a gm3 uses a spring actuator and is horizontal, gm-5 is vacuum and vertical

the compressors are all the same on GM-X turbos from what ive heard just the turbine housings were tweaked through the years and the exhaust elbows. as for the wastgate i wasnt sure. i guess make a turbo master or find a 1994 vacuum actuator and it will work fine. the elbow is restrictive but any turbo is better than no turbo thats for darn sure.

the compressors are all the same on GM-X turbos from what ive heard just the turbine housings were tweaked through the years and the exhaust elbows. as for the wastgate i wasnt sure. i guess make a turbo master or find a 1994 vacuum actuator and it will work fine. the elbow is restrictive but any turbo is better than no turbo thats for darn sure.

yes the compressor wheel is the same but the housing is considerably different between gm-3,gm-5 and gm-8.

true it is better than no turbo but its only $45 for a rebuild kit to build the gm-5, a google search can find the kit, the hard part is making sure both turbine wheels are back in the same spot as they are balanced as a unit.

$250 is too much for a gm-3 to begin with