MBL turbo replacement c12

Dude and Mr. Haney your attn pls. I might be jumping the gun here as I still don't have a diagnosis, but I'm afraid my 2KS C12 (410 hp) might need a turbo. I started hearing some strange noises Friday. I too pull containers at the moment and therefore have zero budget. Further complicating matters it looks like I'll have the motor completely wore out in a year or two. Using a gal every 4k but I'm not sure how much of that is leaking out the front...

Anyway, I'm wondering the best course of action to boost efficiency and power, without shortening the life of my engine's already numbered days. And how much is it going to cost? My understanding is a turbo sized to run with no wastegate is most efficient? I've heard people bypass the wastegate on the C12's stock turbo. I'm assuming that's a really dumb idea? PDI's stage 1 looks really affordable. It looks like the EPA has all of Pittsburgh Power's turbos on hold? Can I slap on a PDI stage 1 turbo with no tune on a 2KS?

Thanks for any replies. Dude I was wondering how this is working out for you long term...

edit: Forgot to mention I have an oil sample supporting the idea that not all my oil is coming out the front cover. Iron, low base, and oxidation.

 

Just inspected the intake side of the turbo. Seems like there's definitely some play on both axises that shouldn't be, but spins smooth and doesn't feel like anything that's going to come apart imminently. I have zero experience inspecting turbos though. Doesn't look like the compressor wheel has touched the housing. It's a Cat reman P/N OR-7579 (or?) 0R-7579 I did take some pics.

 

Talked to my mechanic. He says he can get me in Friday. Thinks I just have a leak. Going to pressure test the the intake system (which I should have done anyway)

 

Hate to break the bad news to you, but Mr Haney is no longer here

 

Yikes! What's that all about? I was all prepared to learn!

 

EPA. He's over at another place. Diesel garage, I think

 

Well I don't need a turbo yet. I busted some exhaust manifold studs. That's what's making all the racket. Getting that fixed might cost as much as the turbo! One of those jobs where the big hood I don't have comes in handy!

 

Hey, I need to replace a turbo on my 2003 C12 bridge engine.

I'm a huge BorgWarner fan. Does the Borg K31 turbo fit on the bridge engine, or just the older C12? I'm 99% sure it fits on the older C12's, but not so sure about the MBL "bridge" engines.

I'm worried about it fitting on the engine, but then the engine power will de-rate or something... Sorry, I'm a Detroit guy, so a little CAT illiterate! I've used the K31 as a replacement for the S60 pre-egr, and it can't be beat. Lasts forever, great power, cheap too!

 

Worst case you'll have to get someone to "fix" your computer? I think the manifold is the same?

 

This guy hasn't been on this site in 3 years, so I can't PM him, as he had suggested. Anyone else able to tune a C12 MBL-engine ECM to accept the old (and very common) turbo that's used on most older C12's, and pre-EGR/VGT Detroit S60