Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Turbowerx pump issue

Old Apr 15, 2013 | 06:39 AM
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Default Turbowerx pump issue

I installed my new Turbowerx base pump Saturday, and am having some issues. I'm using a -4 feed to the turbo with no restrictor, and using -10 for the drain. I'm seeing about 40-45psi at idle. The turbo is a journal bearing GT91 from Forced Inductions.

On initial testing of the pump's wiring, it powers on correctly, but sounds like it's pulsing instead of a whine that'd I expect. Having no experience with the Turbowerx pump, I assumed it was supposed to sound like this, and continued with start up. All seemed well for about 3-5 min and the car started smoking pretty bad from the oil back up in the lines. We could hear the pump running, but something's not right. Keep in mind all of this was at an idle, no high rpms involved.

I'm hoping someone who's used this pump will chime in with some tidbit I'm overlooking. Marc from Turbowerx is telling me it's an over oiling issue, and to add a restrictor. I'm just not sure this is the issue. I'm going to get a vid up later on of the pump running. It just doesnt sound right. Thanks in advance for any help.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 07:13 AM
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FYI- I've never run a turbo on these LS's without a restrictor. My personal car runs a restrictor of .080. So, he could be right about over oiling.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 07:23 AM
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I'm going to add a restrictor today, and see what happens. The thing is, it never had the issue at idle before the pump, as long as it was on level ground. The line may have had 3/4" of fall, so when coming to a stop, or sitting on a downhill slope it smoked. I hope that's all it is.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 09:40 AM
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the pulsating is normal as the base model pump is a diaphram design and not a gear design like their higher lvl units.

I used one of their basemodel units on my rearmount setup and ran a restrictor.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 01:22 PM
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I use the base pump with my gt 91. No restrictor and have -12 drain lines and -4 feed. My pump sounds like a small electric motor running. No pulsing.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 01:31 PM
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I run the base model pump also on a 76mm front mount turbo. -4 feed with no restrictor and -10 drain. Like Cam72aro stated, the pump sounds like an electric motor running with no pulsing.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 02:03 PM
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Restrictor sounds like a bad idea on that bearing housing IMO
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 02:24 PM
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I'm going to try and post a vid from my phone once I get to the car today.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Slowhawk
FYI- I've never run a turbo on these LS's without a restrictor. My personal car runs a restrictor of .080. So, he could be right about over oiling.
Not doubting this,

But adding my 2 sense, ive been apart of maybe only 15 turbo builds and none of which we ever used a restrictor in any of the turbos.

The only time i ever had an issue was with a poor drain. On the 4 kits, 3 rear and 1 low front mount, ive used the turbowerx EXA, and the shurflo pumps and never had a smoking issue either.

Seems odd that some folks have the most trouble and some have never had an issue.

Interesting.

OP, what does the setup look like? Do you have a 90* coming right out of the turbo into the pump?
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 06:55 PM
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It's a 90 out of the turbo, a 90 going into and coming out of the pump, and yet another 90 going into the pan. That sounds horrible, but I had minimal smoking before as long as it sat level. I got Marc on the phone and let him listen to the pump. He immediate said it wasn't right. I'm sending it back for inspection/replacement.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 08:16 PM
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You can not run a restrictor with a GT91, S400...etc units. Those units require a lot of oil to float the heavy internal assemblies. If its smoking then oil is not getting out of the CHRA properly and backing up into the turbine side piston ring area. Also a 90 degree fitting out of a turbo is a big no no.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 08:57 PM
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With as low as my turbo sits I really don't have much of a choice. If I run a 45, or a straight fitting, it's going to have to loop back up into the pump. I guess the pump would pull it, but then again it should pull it through the 90 as well.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 09:06 PM
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Mount the pump close to the turbo, that's how our lf88 is
-6 in no restrictor, -12 90 hose end with 2 inches of hose into the pump, level back to the pan
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 09:27 PM
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I run a -12 90 off the turbo, then about 18" of line into a straight fitting in and out of the pump, then into my oil cooler, then return it into the pan. I had a shurflo pump that last about 5 trips around the block. This pump has been awesome.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 11:32 PM
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I don't want to hack but i've had major problems with my rear mount 76 puking out oil when I start it up and smoke for about the first 20 minutes when I put it under a load down the road. I have a 90' 10an drain with a 4an feed and a restrictor. My return line goes from that 90 over the axle and then to my turbowerx pump. There is plenty of oil pumping up to the valve cover but I cannot get the oil to quit puking out when I start it. Also my charge piping is full of oil. This is a new turbo (regretfully on3 junk) but that will be changed soon, and I have a check valve right after the turbo on the return line and one right before the turbo on the feed line. Does anyone have any pictures of a setup that works perfect as far as the oiling system?
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 06:00 AM
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I have always used gravity drain previously and am trying a low mount with a scavenge. Does anyone have any tips to make the pump work best? Kind of odd hearing about all the issues with smoking when using a scavenge pump.
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 09:11 AM
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My buddies sts Vette is having similar issues. He just purchased a turbowerx pump hoping to fix his problems. Keep us updated on how and what you did to fix this.
Good luck
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