On the other side of the 7-inch stack in the hood, you’ll find a GTX5533R GEN
II. The big single employs an 88mm compressor wheel, a 1.24 A/R nondivided turbine housing, and bolts to a T6 Steed Speed exhaust manifold. At full tilt, the big Garrett can make more than 55psi of boost on fuel alone, but Josh isn’t sure what it jumps to with his two-stage nitrous system in the mix. Despite its size, the 88mm charger spools surprisingly well, thanks in large part to being complemented by the perfect converter for his setup and spot-on tuning. During staging, Josh tells us the turbo comes up on boost and is ready to rock ‘n roll within 4 seconds.
EXTREME 48RE
Speaking of the converter, it’s a loose
One look in the cab and you realize a full manual valve body is in play. Josh built the mount for the TCI Outlaw shifter while Dave Crain and Justin Titus of Performance Torqueflite Transmission in Louisville, Kentucky built the 48RE. A triple-disc, bolt-together converter from Goerend Transmission features a 2,500-2,600 rpm stall speed and sits on a 35-spline, Sonnax Smart-tech big input shaft. A 300 maraging steel intermediate shaft, 29-spline billet-steel output shaft, and Raybestos GPZ clutches also reside inside the 48RE’S case. The Goerend constant pressure, full manual valve body features a regulated torque converter circuit to ensure the converter never sees the same pressure the rest of the transmission does (to prevent ballooning).
As for the cab, it’s barely been lived in. However, the 117,000-mile interior has been modified to monitor a few of the truck’s vitals. The A-pillar Auto Meter gauges provide Josh with lift pump supply pressure, rail pressure, and EGT readings, while the units on the steering column report the turbo’s boost and drive pressures. Down by the cupholders, he keeps tabs on transmission temperature and line pressure.