Eleven years into the 6.7L Cummins’ production run, the benefits of the 5.9L’s descendant are crystal clear: its block is stronger, it makes more torque and (thanks to its displacement advantage) it can drive a fairly large turbocharger with virtually zero negative side effects. While compound turbo systems were extremely common—and virtually a requirement—on a highly modified, street-going 5.9L Cummins, adding a big single charger is standard operating procedure for daily driven 6.7L Cummins mills making similar power. In particular, most ’07.5-present Ram owners install a fixed geometry, S400-based BorgWarner turbo in place of the factory variable geometry unit.
Why Scrap the VGT?
Although the variable geometry Holset HE351VE that comes standard on the 6.7L Cummins provides instant response and a highly-effective exhaust brake function, its complex design doesn’t lend itself to long-term durability. The vanes used to vary exhaust flow across the turbine wheel in the turbine housing often stick due to excessive soot and carbon buildup, and the electronic VGT actuator is notorious for doing the same. Add to that the fact that it produces excessive drive pressure and doesn’t support more than 500rwhp very well and you have all the justification you need for scrapping it.
Added Performance AND Reliability
Not only does a fixed geometry, S400-based turbo add more reliability to the equation (fewer moving parts to fail and less drive pressure making life easier on the head gasket), but it can also support considerably more horsepower than the stock VGT. In fact, depending on how it’s sized, an easy 600rwhp to a very streetable 800rwhp can be had. So what’s it take to get an S400 bolted to your 6.7L Cummins? The most feasible option is to purchase a complete Second-Gen turbo swap kit. These all-inclusive systems are designed around the use of a ’94-’02 style 5.9L Cummins exhaust manifold (hence the term Second-Gen), which—due to mounting the turbo in the center of a divided manifold—provides equal, more efficient exhaust gas flow for each cylinder.
Below, you’ll find 11 of the most popular second-gen turbo swap kits available in the aftermarket. While the price, featured components and fit and finish varies from system to system, each one aims to achieve the same end goal: make your 6.7L Cummins more reliable and powerful.
1. Stainless Diesel
Features:
- Stainless Diesel 24-valve exhaust manifold
- Your choice of S400, from a cast wheel S463 to a billet, 5-blade S475 with a race cover
- 5-inch high flow cold air intake kit with IAT and MAF sensor bungs, S&B filter
- 3-inch diameter, bead-rolled intercooler pipe
- 4-inch diameter aluminized downpipe and V-band clamp
- High-torque T-bolt clamps
- All oil supply and feed lines/fittings (including -6 AN braided stainless supply line)
- All gaskets, mounting bolts and studs
- Optional polished exhaust manifold
Price: From $2,425 (’07.5-’12, S463 turbo included)
*Piping-only kits are also available
2. Fleece Performance Engineering
Features:
- Optional ATS Diesel or Steed Speed T4 flange exhaust manifold
- Your choice of a cast wheel S463 (63/83/.90), cast S467 (67/83/.90) or billet S468 (68/87/.90)
- Fleece Performance Engineering 5-inch ManTake intake with IAT and MAF sensor bungs, air filter included
- S400 90-degree cast-aluminum discharge adapter
- Hot-side intercooler pipe, boots and clamps
- Stainless steel downpipe
- VGT coolant delete plugs (16mm and 18mm included)
- Oil feed line kit
- Oil drain line kit
- T4 turbine flange studs and gasket
- OEM Cummins exhaust manifold gaskets
Price: From $2,358.83 (’07.5-’09, cast S463 turbo included)
*Piping-only kits are also available
3. BD Diesel Performance
Features:
- BD T4 Race exhaust manifold with provision for wastegate
- S467.7 with forged milled wheel (FMW) compressor (67.7/83/1.10)
- BD-exclusive 90-degree compressor housing discharge
- BD hot-side intercooler pipe
- Turbine housing blanket included
- 5-inch cold air intake with 8-inch (od) air filter
- BD composite intake tube with IAT and MAF sensor bungs
- 4-inch downpipe
- Automatic transmission dipstick tube relocation bracket
- Oil feed line kit
- Oil drain line kit
- All required boots, clamps, mounting bolts and studs
- Exhaust manifold gaskets
Price: $2,925 (’07.5-’16, turbo included)
*Piping-only kits are also available
4. Wehrli Custom Fabrication
Features:
- Optional ATS Diesel 3-piece or Steed Speed exhaust manifold (T4 flange)
- Your choice of 14 different turbos, from a cast wheel S463 (63/83/.90) to a billet S475 (75/87/1.0)
- 5-inch intake with S&B dry filter, IAT and MAF sensor bungs
- One-piece, 3-inch diameter hot-side intercooler pipe
- 3.5- or 4-inch downpipe (diameter depends on model year)
- -6 AN stainless oil feed line and fitting
- -10 AN stainless oil drain line and fittings
- Coolant lines and fittings
- T-bolt clamps
- Silicone boots
- All necessary hardware
Price: From $2,125 (’07.5-’09, cast S463 turbo included)
*Piping-only kits are also available
5. Industrial Injection
Features:
- 3-piece T4 flange exhaust manifold
- Your choice of various S400s (S464, S467.7, S471, S475)
- One-piece, 3-inch diameter hot-side intercooler pipe
- Composite intake tube with IAT and MAF sensor bungs
- 4-inch downpipe
- Grid heater drop bracket
- Coolant plug kit
- Automatic transmission dipstick tube relocation bracket
- Oil feed line kit
- Oil drain line kit
- All required boots, clamps, fittings and hardware
Price: From $2,474 (’07.5-’09, S464 turbo included)
6. Maryland Performance Diesel
Features:
- BD Diesel 3-piece T4 flange exhaust manifold
- Your choice of S464 or S467.7
- MPD hot-side intercooler pipe with crush-proof ends
- Stainless steel intake tube with IAT and MAF sensor bungs, air filter
- Downpipe adapter allows for reuse of factory downpipe
- All required boots, clamps, gaskets, fittings and hardware
- Automatic transmission dipstick tube relocation bracket
Price: From $2,799
7. G&R Diesel
Features:
- 3-piece T4 flange exhaust manifold
- One-piece, 3-inch diameter hot-side intercooler pipe
- 5-inch welded aluminum intake with IAT and MAF sensor bungs, air filter
- 4-inch downpipe with flat V-band clamp
- Braided stainless oil supply and oil drain lines
- All required boots, clamps, gaskets, fittings and hardware
- Billet-aluminum fitting and coolant lines for EGR coolant riser
Price: From $1,699 (’10-’12, turbo not included)
8. Deviant Race Parts
Features:
- ATS Diesel 3-piece T4 flange exhaust manifold
- Your choice of S464 or S467.7
- 5-inch powder coated intake with oiled/reusable filter, pre-molded intake boot, IAT and MAF sensor bungs
- 3-inch powder coated hot-side intercooler pipe
- HX40 style 4-inch downpipe
- Oil supply and drain lines
- Exhaust manifold gaskets
- Exhaust manifold bolt kit
- All required boots, clamps, plugs, fittings and hardware
Price: From $2,300 (’07.5-’09, S464 included)
9. Source Automotive
Features:
- 3-piece T4 flange exhaust manifold standard, 1-piece stainless manifold optional
- S463 turbo (63/83/.90)
- 6-inch mandrel bent intake with S&B filter
- Custom bent hot-side intercooler pipe
- S400 90-degree cast-aluminum elbow or 90-degree Nomex/silicone elbow
- Custom 4-inch downpipe with stainless V-band clamp and exhaust hanger
- MLS exhaust manifold gaskets
- Nomex intercooler boots
- Stainless steel T-bolt clamps
- All required plugs, fittings, gaskets and installation hardware
Price: From $2,400 (’07.5-’12, turbo included)
10. Smeding Diesel
Features:
- 3-piece T4 flange exhaust manifold
- Your choice of cast or billet wheel S464, S467.7, or optional S472R or S475R
- 5-inch intake with S&B filter
- Bead-rolled, hot-side intercooler pipe
- 4-inch downpipe
- Exhaust manifold gaskets
- Braided stainless oil supply and drain lines
- Coolant plugs
- All required boots, clamps, fittings and hardware
Price: From $1,995 (’07.5-’12, cast S464 turbo included)
11. Black Market Performance
Features:
- 3-piece T4 flange exhaust manifold
- Your choice of a cast S464, FMW S467.7, S472 or S475
- 5-inch intake with oiled/reusable filter
- Hot-side intercooler pipe
- S400 90-degree cast-aluminum elbow
- 4-inch downpipe
- Oil supply/drain lines, adapters and fittings
- Coolant plugs
- All required boots, clamps and hardware
Price: From $2,300 (’07.5-’12, cast S464 turbo included)