I bought a cheap aftermarket turbo rebuild kit for a 6.0 Powerstroke

It was for a customer's truck that came in with a bad turbo. The kit cost about $80 less than the OEM one. I put it all together, got the truck running, and it started making a weird whistle sound within a week. Had to pull it all apart again and found the cheap bearings were already shot. Ended up losing the whole day's labor, about $400, and had to buy the good kit anyway. Anyone have a go-to brand for these that actually holds up?

3 comments

3 Comments

logan5611mo ago

Stick with OEM parts to avoid that costly do-over.

rowan_wells301mo ago

OEM is just rebranded stuff half the time anyway. You're paying for the logo and a warranty that's a pain to use. Found a supplier that makes the same part for the factory, just without the car brand's box. Saved a ton and it's the exact same thing. Logan's advice is safe but not always smart with your money.

pat_moore1mo ago

Cheap parts are a gamble but sometimes they work out fine. Not every aftermarket kit is junk, you just got a bad one. OEM is safer but paying double doesn't always mean it lasts twice as long. Might have just been bad luck with that specific brand.