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It's still running just fine, haven't put my summer tires on yet, Colorado likes to sneak in a late snow sometimes and life has been a little crazy. I'd have to look at how many miles I've put on the turbo so far, it doesn't get a lot of WOT pulls during the winter but it still gets 12-15psi rolled in multiple times a week.
Did you end up turning it up since the last we talked? If you could tell me the miles that'd be great you said 4k in Jan/Feb I believe
Originally Posted by Tdubbs
I'll add to this thread, and say go with the Z57
I bought one of the first Z54's, and it grenaded in 10k miles, most of which was all highway mileage (drove for work temporarily and had work logs for proof). After a bit of a fiasco with a bunch of other units detonating, they warrantied them all and added whatever improvements they found from the failures. Warranty unit was installed early 2018.
Here we go earlier today that one bit the dust. Merging onto the highway I had it around 10psi when I was suddenly greeted with a clunk, loss of boost, and the sound of a hair dryer. Babied it home, pulled the intake, and the bearings are completely fried. This unit has over 10k, need to double check mileages.
Fortunately, oil looked clean, filter didn't really have many fines, and there doesn't seem to be anything that made it past that first 90* off the turbo.
Edit: Should check my exhaust and see if I have a turbine wheel in it
Damn sorry to hear that I remember reading your houston we have a problem thread which has made me hesitant to get those vs a reliable borgwarner turbo. I know the Z57 has a ball bearing and I haven't heard of any failures so maybe that design is truly more reliable than the Z54s.
Damn sorry to hear that I remember reading your houston we have a problem thread which has made me hesitant to get those vs a reliable borgwarner turbo. I know the Z57 has a ball bearing and I haven't heard of any failures so maybe that design is truly more reliable than the Z54s.
Yeah, definitely not going to get another in house from them. I was tempted to get a Z57, but I still don't know after these two.
I may rebuild it with a supercore, but I haven't decided where to go with it yet. Need to wait for my bonus in July before I have spare cash, so I have time to plan it out.
Yeah, definitely not going to get another in house from them. I was tempted to get a Z57, but I still don't know after these two.
I may rebuild it with a supercore, but I haven't decided where to go with it yet. Need to wait for my bonus in July before I have spare cash, so I have time to plan it out.
Yeah I don't blame you! Hearing your 2nd fail ends the thought of the Z54. The z57 I haven't heard of any failing on the forums or FB groups but yeah I think I will be considering the EFR series or possibly the S257 unless I just send the Z57. I was only looking to add a bit more power than my K04 since its the original turbo.
That's a biiiggg turbo. Anyone know someone that has ran an S257? I can't imagine that thing spools in any sort of timely manner. I know the older S259's were laggy as all hell.
I think I remember S252 guys being in the 3500 to 4000 rpm range for full boost. Tuning obviously plays a large roll.
That's a biiiggg turbo. Anyone know someone that has ran an S257? I can't imagine that thing spools in any sort of timely manner. I know the older S259's were laggy as all hell.
I think I remember S252 guys being in the 3500 to 4000 rpm range for full boost. Tuning obviously plays a large roll.
Yeah I just watched a video to understand the compressor maps of turbos and it seems that I wouldn't be really utilizing it much at the power range I am looking for. So it looks like an EFR will be my best option for performance and reliability
What are you guys running and how has it been for you? How long have you had it for? Can't decide if I want to spend the extra on the Z57 if I am only looking to add a bit of horsepower + replace my original k04.
I went Z54 since they just got the Z57 back in stock recently and I didn't want to miss the season lol. I wanted to go Z57 but decided that I am going with a tubular manifold set up later so the Z54 will get me by for now. I have 2 ECUs so I'll have a 93 pump tune for mini road trips and the other will be my E47 tune.
I am just waiting to send ZZP my ECU so they can send my gaskets needed for install then I'll give you a honest review.
That's a biiiggg turbo. Anyone know someone that has ran an S257? I can't imagine that thing spools in any sort of timely manner. I know the older S259's were laggy as all hell.
I think I remember S252 guys being in the 3500 to 4000 rpm range for full boost. Tuning obviously plays a large roll.
there is 2 cars I know of running a 257 in my area. Ones tomj77 (haven’t seen his car since he went full out with the build. Not sure what it’s spool characteristics are like on an lnf.
then there is my best bud Bluelightning. He on an lsj though. Def a bit laggy. But that’s coming from a 252 which was more responsive but would fall off at like 6k
the 257 takes it right to 8k at 30psi. Pulls very hard. Can’t have it all. An efr would be a better option for those running an lnf and wanting to make over 400whp.
im happy with my z54. I’m at the limits of traction in second gear with the boost ramped and turnt down a touch. I like having some bottom end. 6758 is definitely better all around but you gotta $$$ to play.
I just wanted something with a bit more potential and my stock turbo died.
I do miss super low end torque in traffic but it’s not exactly laggy. But at least 70-100 more whp and pulls right to 6500rpm (probably higher if head work was done) it’s a great balance.
Next car won’t be a turbo 4banger that’s for sure!
I went Z54 since they just got the Z57 back in stock recently and I didn't want to miss the season lol. I wanted to go Z57 but decided that I am going with a tubular manifold set up later so the Z54 will get me by for now. I have 2 ECUs so I'll have a 93 pump tune for mini road trips and the other will be my E47 tune.
I am just waiting to send ZZP my ECU so they can send my gaskets needed for install then I'll give you a honest review.
ZZP Z54 BNIB
Sounds good will be following !
Me too i've been on and off but I am back for good
Originally Posted by slapbetcommissioner
there is 2 cars I know of running a 257 in my area. Ones tomj77 (haven’t seen his car since he went full out with the build. Not sure what it’s spool characteristics are like on an lnf.
then there is my best bud Bluelightning. He on an lsj though. Def a bit laggy. But that’s coming from a 252 which was more responsive but would fall off at like 6k
the 257 takes it right to 8k at 30psi. Pulls very hard. Can’t have it all. An efr would be a better option for those running an lnf and wanting to make over 400whp.
im happy with my z54. I’m at the limits of traction in second gear with the boost ramped and turnt down a touch. I like having some bottom end. 6758 is definitely better all around but you gotta $$$ to play.
I just wanted something with a bit more potential and my stock turbo died.
I do miss super low end torque in traffic but it’s not exactly laggy. But at least 70-100 more whp and pulls right to 6500rpm (probably higher if head work was done) it’s a great balance.
Next car won’t be a turbo 4banger that’s for sure!
How many KMs on the Z54? When did you purchase it? Good to hear you've enjoyed it
then there is my best bud Bluelightning. He on an lsj though. Def a bit laggy. But that’s coming from a 252 which was more responsive but would fall off at like 6k
Does he still have that S252 lying around? What RPM did it start coming alive?
I've been contemplating swapping to one... I want something more responsive down low.
I'd love to move to a GT2871RS... but that would require changing my downpipe setup, and I'm not sure I want to do that much work.
Well Im new here and i wanted to try and get as much Info as I can . i just bought the z57 and i was looking to get like 400 - 420hp out of my Bolt with stock motor is this achievable or do i need to change the valve springs or would i be fine ? i have full bolt ons and plan on setting up a dyno tune after installed
Yeah, bearings went and shaft play is rediculous now. Fortunately this didn't send as much shavings through after looking into it.
I'm contemplating doing a supercore if I can, otherwise most likely an actual EFR.
Does the Z54 come with the ZFR housing?
Originally Posted by HughesX21
Well Im new here and i wanted to try and get as much Info as I can . i just bought the z57 and i was looking to get like 400 - 420hp out of my Bolt with stock motor is this achievable or do i need to change the valve springs or would i be fine ? i have full bolt ons and plan on setting up a dyno tune after installed
Valve springs would be beneficial for going to 7k for redline to avoid valve float
Does he still have that S252 lying around? What RPM did it start coming alive?
I've been contemplating swapping to one... I want something more responsive down low.
I'd love to move to a GT2871RS... but that would require changing my downpipe setup, and I'm not sure I want to do that much work.
no he doesn’t sold it a few years ago. Not sure exactly where it spoiled exactly. Wasn’t nearly as laggy as the 257. However def more responsive than 259 with more power capability.
Last edited by slapbetcommissioner; 05-26-2021 at 05:13 AM.
Well Im new here and i wanted to try and get as much Info as I can . i just bought the z57 and i was looking to get like 400 - 420hp out of my Bolt with stock motor is this achievable or do i need to change the valve springs or would i be fine ? i have full bolt ons and plan on setting up a dyno tune after installed
It won’t be a problem at all if you have good fuel. E47/ e85 or meth injection
Going higher than 400whp will be getting close to maxing out your stock fuel system. There is fixes for that (meth being one of them)
the motor itself is fairly safe to mid 4’s some hit 500 with a good
tune and good fuel.
valve springs and zzp fuel cam can get you there (may has well go stage 2 cams if you go that route)
Last edited by slapbetcommissioner; 05-26-2021 at 05:19 AM.
nice man. Any chance you have any vids of it spooling?
I didn’t bother trying to video it as it’s hard to get the tac and boost in one shot. But I did some testing on the way to work. Basically from 1800rpm in vacuum. Rolling (not stomping on) it hits 5psi by about 2900rpm and that’s when you start to feel it. Shoots right up from there. Makes okay torque from about 2k (no ko4 thoigh hah)
its ramped smooth a little bit at my request to my tuner. I’m sure it could be made to spool slightly faster.
My PT5557 starts to pick up around 3200 rpm, but I don't think it hits full boost for another 500 rpm or so. I need to look at old logs from a few years back. I feel like it actually hit full boost sooner on 93 compared to now on E85.
That was my thought too - the alleged cooler burn. I do have a DEI Titanium turbo blanket and fully wrapped exhaust from turbo to tail pipe and my EGT's aren't really low though. My browsing of the internet seemed to indicate that E "should" spool faster since you have more of it, the O2 that's in it, and some other BS - but I'm not sure I trust/believe any of it, because most of what I've seen has been random people on forums.
I run a decent amount of timing on spool up (starts out in the 40's and tapers down to mid-20's); I'm sure it could be improved - I mostly just concentrated on AFR during my tuning phase.
05-21-2021, 03:52 AM
