I'm running a built D16Y8 with 75.5mm Vitaras, custom length FJ dist rods.

New:
OEM oil pump no shim or port
Clevite STD bearings (.002" clearance)
Rods, pistons, rings, gaskets, etc.
Micropolished and chamfered crank

Revving to 7200rpm
Stock head

I made 235whp at 8psi for 12,000 miles on the stock motor, then pulled it for my built motor. Nothing was broken, I just took advantage of my Thanksgiving break to get the motor in. Used the following turbo for 12k miles with no issues.

1st setup: T3 60 trim .60/.63ar from a Thunderbird
Made 300whp at 20 psi, 2 days later I was boosting fine when I hear a loud whining sound and no more boost. Compressor nut came off, major major side-side and in-out shaftplay.

2nd setup: Sent that T3 60 trim out to mhamrick to get rebuilt, he upgraded the compressor housing to a T4 with a 44 trim compressor. New CHRA, stage 1 turbine, and was balanced. Installed a new -3an feed line and the appropriate adapters. Kept it at 12psi following mhamrick's advice, boosted great. 1 day later, I'm at 12 psi and it suddenly drops to 8 psi. I pull over immediately, notice that there is a rattling noise at idle. So I poke around and found the turbo compressor was making contact with the compressor housing. 5 hours before this I checked the shaftplay and there was very little side to side, no in/out at all. Now it has noticeable in/out, very little side to side shaftplay.

The drain is above oil level, fairly straight with a 90* bend at the fitting. I had no issues with the drain setup for 12k miles. Oil feed is new. I pulled the drain and let it idle for a couple seconds, a good bit of oil came out, telling me the feed is not clogged.

Freshly changed oil both times the turbo blew, I just can't figure out why I keep blowing turbos. The car's been down for over a month now, and being my DD I need to fix it ASAP.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: No restrictor with the new -3an line.

 

Where on the oil pan is the return feed?

could be that the turbo had other issues...should buy a new one, otherwise you'll wind up spending more on rebuilds and repairs

 

Right above where it starts getting deeper, as high as I could put it. I pulled the drain off and no oil came out.

Any site you recommend for buying new? I'm just curious, shopping around a t3/t4 50 trim is $700

 

post some pictures of what you have. turbo feed source. and entrance into the turbo, the same with the drain. although it doesn't sound like an oiling problem.

from what you posted it sounds like a dud turbo.

 

Send it to TheShodan and im sure he'll be able to tell you what happened or if the turbo is salvageable or not.

 

Here is my drain

 

your drain looks fine, im leaning towards bad turbo, your problems dont sound like the usual over oiling or oil starvation problems. i would buy a new turbo, if u want a cheap replacemnet slap on a chinese turbo to get u up and running while u diagnose the issue with this one or do some research on replacing it. theshodan can help u diagnose, rebuild or replace.

 

Just to update, it turns out the "turbo rebuilder" was a scammer and the reason why I went through so many turbo problems. I bought a Garrett T3/T04e 50 trim and with the exact same feed/drain, it's lasted me for almost a year now

 

I spy an eBay compressor housing....

 

How well was the turbo balanced as part of the rebuild?
Were any of the fins damaged as a result of housing contact?

 

u need to recalibrate ur reading skills......

"1st setup: T3 60 trim .60/.63ar from a Thunderbird"

 

whats your highest oil pressure reading at WOT and cold start up?

im thinking high oil pressure is blowing the seals

 

i know how to read... that pic was of the second setup when he went to a t4 based compressor side... i know what a garrett 60 trim t3 looks like, post useful information or **** off...
that picture is clearly of a t04e ebay compressor housing... not a garrett 60 trim t3 compressor housing.

if you pulled the return line and no oil came out then clearly you have an oil feed issue

 

No oil came out of the oil pan fitting, meaning it's not because my drain fitting is too low in the oil pan.

If you read carefully I said a good bit of oil comes out the turbo drain.

Problem is already solved, it was the bullshit "turbo rebuilder" scamming me...he actually had me send the turbo back and just kept it!

 

The rebuilder "sent it off to california" to get balanced...the rebuild took him 2 months so I don't know whether he actually did or not. Yes the compressor was completely chewed up.

 

I was going to suggest getting a Garrett but looks like you already solved it the right way