My original turbo is oil cooled only. The replacement turbo has oil + water hook up.
Can I just hook the oil only not the water ? Leave the water connection in the turbo open?

Thank you

 

depends on which turbo it is, if its a BB turbo then in most cases water is a requirement

 

I would always run the water lines to it while you have that option, why not? It’s super easy to do, and improves life and performance of your turbo and oil.

 

IMO if the turbo has provisions for water feed, it should never be looked at as optional. If the turbo manufacturer made provisions for coolant taps, then they're there for a reason. To me it's just one of those "things you may be able to get away with for awhile", but ultimately shouldn't be trying to in the first place. Honestly I wish turbo manufacturers would stop listing it as "recommended" and just say it's required, do it once and do it right.

My suggestion to OP - GT Turbo Coolant Kit

 

There are lots of JB turbos that come with water ports. I do agree its always "better" to have water hookups. with so many non water cooled turbos out there I agree with manufactures in saying that its not required and people "get away with it" for decades so its not like a make it or break it type thing.

 

I do wonder if the only reason that some JB turbos have water jackets is because they might share the same or similar housing castings as their BB counterparts. But either way, if you have em, use em.

 

My question is, anyone have done it without hooking up the water?

If i hook the water, where in K20 engine I can "T" to the water line?
Can you tell me the location of the water line in the head or anywhere near the turbo.

thank you

 

 

this is pretty much my thought process but im not sure, Jb turbos released with water ports are labeled optional, depending on usage it may be more of a requirement Ie. time attack

 

While you can get all those fittings cheaper by shopping around, this kit is complete and makes a very clean install. It's what I have in my car.

 

Any factory turbocharged vehicle produced in the last 28 years, (be they JB or DBB) will have water ports with lines used. And they aren't Time Attack machines. It helps the oil survive longer as well as keep exhaust heat made by the turbine from transferring into the CHRA when the engine is shut down.

So yes. Optional means "highly recommended", which means. PLEASE USE THEM. ;-)

 

perhaps, when I say its optional im mostly refering to aftermarket turbo builds most of which dont even have provisioning for water lines and run just fine for many many years. I never said anything about OEM

 

Actually, they don't run fine for many many years. Maybe 2-3 years., about the time most people only have these cars. But then as they sell to subsequent owners, they realize only then that there was damage to the system.
Remember what I do on a regular basis? .

 

Thats a pretty broad statement I know several people that have had the same unit 5-10 years. Perhaps you see those that are not so lucky for various reasons not just cooling issues. I mean why would they calll you 10 years later just to let you know everything is fine amiright?

 

Actually, a few have. I know that sounds crazy, but yes. They've done that. One person had a Surfer through a shop called Pulliam Power Sports for over 8 years. water cooled. Just wanted to let us know it was still rolling strong. (And yes. He had water lines hooked up). He then got several more at a time about 3 weeks later. It's broad. I know. I've dealt with thousands of these units from major and minor companies for over 13 years.


Cooling issues only come as one way. "starvation of the shaft'. Ask Californiadad when his surfer was without lines, (it hadn't died, but it was going), but when he did indeed hook them up, big difference.

Example.

Brand new journal bearing (left). Use of water lines on a JB turbo (Middle) . No use of water lines (Right).

3 years, 180miles/day everyday in over 70-90 degree heat, (Hence the oil coking on the turbine shaft shown in the illustration. Calidad only sent it in to make sure it was in tip-top shape. It never smoked or seized or died. He found that water lines are always a good idea.

Just because you see that the turbo is "running", doesn't mean its running well, or that it's fine. See what I mean?