NOSjohn

iTrader: (9)

I was bored today being sick with the flu so I decided to make these so people can see the REAL difference between a non-ball bearing turbo and a very slick dual ball bearing turbo. I tried to use similar size turbos...but I'm sad to say I don't have 2 - 72mm turbos laying around. I haven't seen anything like this posted on here so please enjoy (right click, save as):

First test subject > non-ball PT-72
http://www.ls7power.com/videos/pt72_nonball.avi

Second test subject > dual ball-bearing PT-67
http://www.ls7power.com/videos/pt67_ballbearing.avi

Any questions or comments, I'd be happy to answer them all.

Spenser309

dont you kind of need to account for the fact that theres no oil in the first one? Oils some preatty slippery stuff.

stevieturbo

I think that most people are aware that BB's are much freer to spin. Although how much real difference they make in terms of performance maybe isnt so clear.

Size for size, I dont think a BB actually makes any more power, although spool time is perhaps reduced, and/or larger turbos can be used, without being as laggy.
So I guess they might offer a better spread of power for a given size ?

Although, if nothing else, a BB turbo does sound cool when you switch the engine off

KAOS

iTrader: (5)

whats the price differece in a regular t76 vs a BB one?

chuntington101

you guys probably dont notice it as much thanks to the extra CCs you have, but the inports and the euro cars over here have all really taken to BB turbos! infact not having them is kinda fround on!

it also depends on what you want! if your drag rtacing then there miht not be much of a benifit as oposed to say circuit racrs/road cars.

but i think the benifits outway the extra cost! and the more people buy the cheaper they become!!!!

Chris.

99SS-T

iTrader: (5)

well i have a non BB turbo and i can shut the car off open the hood adn lok at the turbine and its still spinning. Once that oil gets in there its good to go. Not hat BB isnt better but its not as bad as it sems. GL

John

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

How about remaking the first video but with oil this time?

Soquel

I don't think you can accurately show the non-bb turbo unless it has 45psi of oil going through it.

chuntington101

well the bb will work better with oil too!

2002 Trans Am

I would like to see dyno #s one day and spool time...actually more interested in reduction of spool time

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

From what I have seen ball bearing turbos usually spool around 300 rpm quicker.

White.Lightning

iTrader: (53)

Andy

LTLHOMER

iTrader: (10)

It looked like a larger moment might have been placed on the first test compared to the second test, possibly skewing the data to the owner's preference. lol

I like ball-bearing turbos so much I had to run two!

JZ 97 SS 1500

iTrader: (2)

Worth the money?...not really. Worth any performance gain?...no. Worth spool up?....well depending on the engine size, around 200-300rpms. Now if you have a sled pulling truck or road race car it maybe worth it since their is no thrust bearing. That is about what we have summed up over many dynos....just my $.02

NOSjohn

iTrader: (9)

Spencer - you really don't need to account for oil. It's just a simple illustration showing the differences in how the wheel spins. They both use oil and it is proven that BB spools faster, I was just showing rotational differences.

stevie - true, a BB wont necessarily make more power but it will get you to that bigger power number faster. According to Garrett, " garrett ball bearing turbos spool up to 15% faster than traditional journal bearings."

KAOS - price depends on the seller, I've seen a range of $300-700 when buying journal bearing turbos to BB turbos...depending on size.

chunington - i think the BB turbos can benefit everyone.

99SS-T - not sure what to say to that, I've seen some motors with 60 and 70 series turbos that barely move at idle.

2MRMMS - i don't think i have the ability to mock up an "oil induced environment" for these turbos. I wish I had the time also as I enjoy showing the differences.

Soquel - same answer, PLUS it's already proven that BB turbos spool faster. A journal bearing with oil or grease will NOT spin up faster and maintain movement like a Ball Bearing unit. If anyone used to roller skate or skateboard, this is a known fact.

Chunington - very true, pointed out earlier.

2002t/a - again, i wish i had the means or time to conduct a test like this, these make for good forum discussions.

2MRMMS - yes, on average, 15% quicker...so 300 - 800 rpm depending on conditions.

LTHOMER - you are correct, i messed with 'ze test results!

JZ 97 SS 1500

iTrader: (2)

BTW, test results from free hand spinning will not tell you anything.

NOSjohn

iTrader: (9)

DISCLOSURE: this was NOT a test, it was a simple comparison to show rotational differences.

Jose, I am slightly suprised at your answer. :shock:
Tests run on CART turbos have shown a reduction in power consumption loss is up to 50% !! The result is faster time to boost which translates into better drivability and acceleration.

Nobody wants quicker acceleration in drag racing?

93formto98T/A

iTrader: (28)

I think it's more of a finacial thing than which one each of us would pick given that there was no price difference between the two. The BBs seem to cost nearly double that of a non bb.

NA$TY-TA

iTrader: (21)

In my case it was $800 more and i dont see it as a good way to spend more $$ 300rpm's sooner may be true but if you match your setup up right to start with it wont be that much of a difference....
Its one of those things im not going to lose sleep over thats for sure..........

Bens3rdgen

This question is concerning a RR car.
If my engine is going to live it's whole life between 4k-7k and I can buy a turbo that spools up before 4k, why would I spend the money for an extra 300 rpms?
The only thing I can think is maybe you'd get power a little sooner when shifting, but usually I keep the rpms up. Anyone? I never RR'd a turbo car.

Ben