Pro turbo reliability

[Mike 31x]

Looking for real life experience on how reliable these Turbo kits are and what kind of life I can get out of my engine. I am seriously considering going this route but I am terrified of not being able to ride my sled. I take numerous short trips to the mountains riding 2-3 days at a time and don't have time to spend a day making adjustments to make it run or have a serious engine failure. I want something that I can get on and ride. Is this in my imagination or is it possible? Thanks in advance.

 

[Arcteryx]

It's possible with my Boondocker Turbo Pro. I have run 4 seasons with BD turbos and they have always run well. I don't like to wrench or tinker much. I just want to ride and not worry.
I totally think it's possible. Just get a good kit, a good install and learn how to tune and you'll be happy. I wouldn't go back!

 

[youd47]

A turbo shouldn't be your choice.

 

[jeepin270]

Take a look at this forum, I guess u know who's kit not to buy. Don't let them fool u with most of the problems come from installation error. If u buy the right kit and have it installed properly, u will never regret it.

 

[jsandgren10]

So far most issues have been installation error if you have read through them, and some are repeats of the same issue. All kits take some initial tuning to dial in for your riding area. I've seen both silber and boondocker kits ripping this season. In my opinion you buy the kit to fit your need and consider all options: cost, items included, amount of boost you plan to run, customer service, etc.

 

[tdorval]

Jeep do you own a turbo? Being in Maine I'd be pretty surprised if you do between the low elevation and noise regulations. i could be wrong though I suppose.

 

[jeepin270]

Jeep do you own a turbo? Being in Maine I'd be pretty surprised if you do between the low elevation and noise regulations. i could be wrong though I suppose.

No. I just hangout here for ur entertainment, I thought u had the noise restrictions?

 

[phatboyfilms]

Looking for real life experience on how reliable these Turbo kits are and what kind of life I can get out of my engine. I am seriously considering going this route but I am terrified of not being able to ride my sled. I take numerous short trips to the mountains riding 2-3 days at a time and don't have time to spend a day making adjustments to make it run or have a serious engine failure. I want something that I can get on and ride. Is this in my imagination or is it possible? Thanks in advance.

My firsthand with Turbo - 09 D8 Boondocker Turbo: rode 1500 mi over 2 seasons. didn't get towed back to the truck once. enjoyed every ride. would've rode it another season but man that pro looked good


Now, my $.02 - if having a incredibly fun sled that runs every ride is more important than having the baddest a$$ turbo on the mtn:

- dont chince & buy a 12k sled & 4k turbo & try to install it yourself. having someone that knows the sled & the turbo install it removes so many variables if you ever have any tuning issues. Find a shop that you feel will help you if needed, thats worth its weight in gold.

- be ok with your turbo running good/great, but not absolutely perfect. a turbo sled @ 75% is still gonna make your stock sled feel like a turd!! if its running pretty good, don't tinker with it till it runs perfect for one pull then burns down.. Unless your a pro mechanic tuner, which i am not.

I'm not a tuner & i had 1500 very fun miles on that sled. As long as i can afford it, i'll be on a turbo from here on out!!

 

[tdorval]

No. I just hangout here for ur entertainment, I thought u had the noise restrictions?

I love when people can admit they do something just for me, I appreciate it.

I grew up back in ME/NH thats why I know. CO does have regs, and it seems that I should be fine here as they are much more relaxed regulations than the ones in ME. I have numerous friends that are wardens in ME and they seem to take the noise issue rather serious!

I was just curious if you owned one, or have a friend that owns one. To me to speak poorly on something that you don't have any experience with isn't the best thing to do. Thats why I asked. If you have one great, what were the issues with it?

Also, I should add I was in your boat as well. New to the turbo world and nervous to do it. I went for it anyway. I am ok with some tuning but I ultimately want to ride the thing. So far I've had mine out 3 times. It hasn't been perfect but holy cow is the fun factor there! I can't even believe that I've waited this long to do it!

 

[turboless terry]

At the rate it is snowing my wifes turbo is going to last 10 years. Seriously, if your not willing to work on them a little bit then a turbo isn't for you. They are really reliable if the install is done right. Most of the trouble with all of them is from a bad install or someone that doesn't know anything. Good dealer and pay your dues.

 

[Arcteryx]

Take a look at this forum, I guess u know who's kit not to buy. Don't let them fool u with most of the problems come from installation error. If u buy the right kit and have it installed properly, u will never regret it.

LMAO!! Don't let this BS sway you. Jeepin270 tells you to "take a look at this forum" and then you'll know who's kit not to buy along with an obvious reference to another makers kit. If you read the latest threads with problems they are overwhelmingly talking about the kit that Jeepin270 bought. Just goes to show you that kits from any turbo builder can have problems and some of them will.

 

[jeepin270]

I hate to be such a downer, I love my turbo sled. Happy that I spent the money to buy one, I love wrkin on my sled. I have issues with my turbo kit builder, I hate it when somebody promises u something then never comes thru, numerous times. My computer is down right now so I can't upload any pics. When it is fixed I will start my own thread with the reasons why I am unhappy with my kit builder and proff to back it up. Oh, wardens don't have sleds that can make it out to where I ride, so I don't wry about how loud my sled is. I don't trail ride...

 

[jeepin270]

LMAO!! Don't let this BS sway you. Jeepin270 tells you to "take a look at this forum" and then you'll know who's kit not to buy along with an obvious reference to another makers kit. If you read the latest threads with problems they are overwhelmingly talking about the kit that Jeepin270 bought. Just goes to show you that kits from any turbo builder can have problems and some of them will.

Wut did I say that was b.s.? He asked for real life experiences. I gave mine. It seems that every other thread is about somebody having problems with there Silber turbo kit. I don't know anything about the pro's. My experiance wasn't that great with Silber. Thanks to boondocker and hm for helping me out. I went most of my first turboed season without being able to ride. The following season I got a box with a flash that would wrk on my sled

 

[Sunvang]

Wut did I say that was b.s.? He asked for real life experiences. I gave mine. It seems that every other thread is about somebody having problems with there Silber turbo kit. I don't know anything about the pro's. My experiance wasn't that great with Silber. Thanks to boondocker and hm for helping me out. I went most of my first turboed season without being able to ride. The following season I got a box with a flash that would wrk on my sled

The problems isnt with the turbo kit itself, its been lack of installing skills/patience and bad tuning experince on my part. And of course you will see more threads about Silber, HE IS THE LEADING TURBO KIT SELLER FOR PRO'S! More kits beeing sold, more people talking about them.

 

[m1kflyingtiger]

The problems isnt with the turbo kit itself, its been lack of installing skills/patience and bad tuning experince on my part. And of course you will see more threads about Silber, HE IS THE LEADING TURBO KIT SELLER FOR PRO'S! More kits beeing sold, more people talking about them.

And there was a huge group buy on this site. Service is everything and Justin has that part down.

 

[Sunvang]

And there was a huge group buy on this site. Service is everything and Justin has that part down.

Totally agreeing with you.

 

[jsandgren10]

Wut did I say that was b.s.? He asked for real life experiences. I gave mine. It seems that every other thread is about somebody having problems with there Silber turbo kit. I don't know anything about the pro's. My experiance wasn't that great with Silber. Thanks to boondocker and hm for helping me out. I went most of my first turboed season without being able to ride. The following season I got a box with a flash that would wrk on my sled

There are about the same number of threads with BD issues, and most for both BD and silber are installation error, or people having questions on tuning their boxes and clutching. One had a bad control box, no fault of anyone, just luck of the draw. There are just more silber questions because so many people bought his kit this year where if you look last year it was all boondocker threads.

So in response to the OP, all the kits out there: BD, silber, HM, aerocharger are great kits and they all run. But you will need some tuning ability to fine tune the control box and clutch and be a decent sled mechanic to install and ensure no rubbing etc for det issues. If you are close to a dealer of a kit you like I would have them install and tune it for you. Less headaches in the long run, or easier if you don't have time or patience to dial one in after install.

 

[Arcteryx]

Wut did I say that was b.s.? He asked for real life experiences. I gave mine. It seems that every other thread is about somebody having problems with there Silber turbo kit. I don't know anything about the pro's. My experiance wasn't that great with Silber. Thanks to boondocker and hm for helping me out. I went most of my first turboed season without being able to ride. The following season I got a box with a flash that would wrk on my sled

Your right my apologies!! I read your post wrong. I realize now that you were attempting to be open and honest about your experience without throwing anyone under the bus. My bad. Sorry man!

 

[2XM3]

Bottom line is this, here we have a 800cc motor that in bone stock form produces 145 odd hp, thats from a 48 cubic inch motor, ie you are getting almost 3 hp per cubic inch, and that is very high stress( think how stressed a 1000 hp 350 chevy would be to trail ride...lol) Or about the same hp per cubic inch that a current NHRA pro-stock engine is making, how long do they last??? So now add a turbo and you have 48 inches making 200+hp and trying to run a mix of pump fuel? 4 hp per cubic inch.......

The best sled for pull and go is one that has full warrenty and you leave stock...lol
And if you go power adder do yourself a huge favor and have a good shop install and tune it for you, unless you have a good amount of engine building experience...imho...

 

[SSWIM]

It would be very interesting to see how many SW members that frequent these forums have BD kits vs. the Silber kits. It seems like there is more "traffic" regarding the Silber kits. Good and bad. I know Justin has sold quite a few kits through this forum. Henceforth I think quite a few members are on the forums pretty regularly. I believe he has 100+ kits for the Pro out there now.

Back on topic regarding reliability. Anybody that says they have had NO problems or issues with a kit is either NOT riding or they are dreaming. I am not saying only major issues, but little things that can be frustrating, adjusting, tuning, etc. My opinion is that if you are expecting to have a turbo sled be as reliable as a stock sled, and by this I mean pull the rope and go without having to adjust, tighten, inspect, tune or any other things that can go along with a turbo sled, don't put a turbo on it.

With that said, turbos are not for everyone. You better be ready to "play" with these systems. Sure some have been extremely reliable. In the realm of turdo sleds that is. But they ALL take some tinkering with from time to time. And that is where some become frustrated. If one goes into the "turbo world" with an open mind, it can be very enjoyable and satisfying. But don't come uncorked when a small speed bump pops up.

Sam