2007.5-2009 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Drop-In Turbos

Drop-in turbos for the 2007.5-2009 RAM 6.7L Cummins

A drop-in turbo replaces the factory charger in its stock location, on the stock mounting, oil and coolant connections. The turbo it replaces is the Holset HE351VE, an electronically controlled variable-geometry unit feeding an air-to-air charge air cooler. It uses a sliding nozzle ring instead of a wastegate, and the ECM moves that ring for boost, EGR flow, DPF regen heat and the exhaust brake. A good drop-in keeps all of that working. The turbo is water-cooled, so coolant lines get reconnected on every install.

When the factory turbo needs replacing

Early 6.7L turbos have a known list of problems. The best known is VGT sticking: soot, oil and ash coat the nozzle ring and vanes on 2007-2009 trucks until they stop moving, and you get heavy lag, poor top end, surging, a weak or stuck exhaust brake and turbo performance codes, sometimes well under 100,000 miles. Hard failures include leaking oil seals, compressor wheel damage from dust, turbine wheel damage from heat, worn bearings with shaft end play, and speed sensor or actuator failures. Watch for oil in the intercooler piping, blue smoke, a whine, and boost or speed sensor codes. Diesel Hub's view is that VGTs are inherently less reliable than fixed-geometry turbos because of the added moving parts and electronics, so diagnose carefully before you buy.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

For a stock truck with a failed turbo, a factory-type replacement with a pre-calibrated actuator is the repair path. Here that means the XDP XD572 Xpressor with actuator, the XDP XD571 without actuator if yours tested good and you are reusing it, or the BD Diesel 1045775 remanufactured stock replacement. If you want more airflow and a documented emissions status, the Fleece Cheetah 63mm FMW (FPE-351-0712) is the compliant drop-in. It looks stock, uses a 63 mm forged milled compressor wheel and an Inconel turbine, comes with a new actuator that needs no calibration, and keeps the exhaust brake and warm-up cycle. Fleece rates it to support up to about 700 rwhp, and it carries CARB EO D-834-6 for all 50 states. For the other performance units here, check each product page for its emissions status before one goes on a street truck.

What we carry

• Fleece Performance Engineering FPE-351-0712 Cheetah, listed 2007.5-2012.
• BD Diesel 1045775 remanufactured stock replacement and 1045770 Screamer performance turbo, listed 2007.5-2012.
• XDP XD571 and XD572 Xpressor new stock replacements, without and with the actuator, listed 2007.5-2012.
• Calibrated Power Solutions CPS200195 Stealth STR and CPS200245 Stealth Mach 1 (64), listed 2007.5-2018.
• ATS Diesel Performance Aurora VFR VGT, listed 2007.5-2018. ATS builds its Aurora line with investment-cast housings and heavy-duty bearing packs.

Fitment notes

All of these include 2007.5-2009, but the ranges differ, so order by model year and verify by VIN. The Cheetah is listed for 2007.5-2012 Ram 2500 and 3500 6.7L trucks only. Its turbine speed sensor is sold separately; the Fleece FPE-351-SP-SEN is in this truck's Turbo Accessories collection. The Cheetah kit includes the exhaust flange gasket, studs and nuts, oil drain gasket and coolant banjo washers; for other turbos, check what ships in the box and add gaskets or an install kit if needed. On 2009 trucks the turbine housing gained a cleaning access port, which is worth knowing if you are weighing a cleaning against a replacement. If your truck is a 3500, 4500 or 5500 chassis cab, verify fitment before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

Should I get the XDP Xpressor with or without the actuator?

The XD572 comes with the actuator and the XD571 does not. Actuator failure is its own electronic fault on these turbos, causing actuator codes, no exhaust brake or a turbo stuck in one position, so if yours has shown any of those signs, buy the version with the actuator. If the old actuator tested good, the XD571 lets you reuse it.

Which drop-in keeps the exhaust brake and warm-up cycle?

Fleece states the Cheetah keeps both, and the stock replacements are built to work like the factory HE351VE. For the performance units from BD, Calibrated Power and ATS, read the product page for what each retains. Any turbo change has to keep the VGT, exhaust brake and emissions functions working to stay compliant.

Why are some turbos listed 2007.5-2012 and others 2007.5-2018?

Each manufacturer sets the range for its own design, and every turbo on this page includes your 2007.5-2009 truck. Order by model year anyway: Fleece, for example, lists the Cheetah FPE-351-0712 for 2007.5-2012 Ram 2500 and 3500 6.7L only. When in doubt, verify by VIN or call us.

Does the Fleece Cheetah need calibration?

No. It ships with a new actuator that needs no calibration, and it keeps the factory exhaust brake and warm-up cycle. Order the turbine speed sensor separately, and plan on reconnecting the coolant lines since the turbo is water-cooled.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.