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Performance Truck Turbocharger Rebuild

GMC Syclone & Typhoon Turbocharger Rebuild

Professional rebuild of the Mitsubishi TD06-17C turbocharger from the 4.3L LB4 turbo V6, restored to above-OEM specification with new bearings, VSR balancing, and complete photo documentation.

280 hpStock Output 4.3LLB4 Turbo V6 14 psiStock Boost
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Engine4.3L LB4 Turbo V6
Turbo ModelMitsubishi TD06-17C / 8cm²
Part NumbersMHI 49179-04000 • GM 15253
ConfigurationWater-Cooled Journal Bearing
Stock Power280 hp / 350 lb-ft
Fitment Years1991-1993
Warning Signs

Symptoms of a Failing SyTy Turbo

Every Syclone and Typhoon turbo is now over three decades old, and most have spent years running elevated boost on performance chips. If your truck is showing any of these signs, have the turbo inspected before wear reaches the wheels and housings.

Blue smoke at startup or oil consumption
Lazy spool or reduced peak boost
Whining or grinding noise under boost
Visible shaft play at the compressor wheel
Oil in the intercooler plumbing or intake tract
Known Failure Points

Why SyTy Turbos Fail

The TD06-17C was sized for 14 psi from the factory, and almost every surviving truck has run harder than that. Age, elevated boost, and heat cycles concentrate wear in a few predictable places.

101

Thrust Bearing Wear

The factory thrust system takes the axial load, and elevated boost multiplies that load. Chipped trucks running past stock boost wear the thrust bearing first, which lets the compressor wheel walk into its housing.

202

Journal Bearing Wear

The plain journal bearings depend on clean, pressurized oil. Decades of service and stretched oil change intervals produce shaft play, noise, and eventual wheel contact.

303

Aged and Failed Seals

Original seal rings have aged past their service life on nearly every unrestored unit. Failed seals push oil into the intercooler plumbing and produce the classic blue startup smoke.

404

Turbine Housing Heat Cracking

Repeated heat cycles crack and erode the turbine housing over time, especially on trucks that see hard use. Minor cracking can be addressed during rebuild before it grows into the flange.

505

Wastegate Actuator Fatigue

Aged actuator diaphragms leak and no longer hold their setpoint, causing boost creep or low boost that gets misdiagnosed as a failing turbo. Actuators are inspected and function-tested on every rebuild.

606

Storage Corrosion

Many of these trucks sit for months between drives. Moisture inside the housings pits shafts and bearing journals, and dried oil residue causes scoring the moment the turbo spools again.

Our Rebuild Process

Rebuilt to Above-OEM Specification

Every Boost Lab rebuild is performed on your original turbocharger. We address every known TD06-17C failure point, and we build to match how your truck is actually driven, whether that is bone stock or chipped and pushing well past factory boost.

Running a performance chip or elevated boost? Tell us your setup when you submit your rebuild request. Boost level directly affects thrust loading, and we build the rotating assembly to survive how the truck is actually used.
1

Disassembly & Inspection

Complete teardown of the TD06-17C. Housings are inspected for cracks, erosion, and contact marks, and every finding is photo-documented before any work proceeds.

2

Cleaning & Passage Verification

The center housing is stripped of carbon and varnish, and every oil and coolant passage is verified clear. This eliminates the starvation risk that kills freshly rebuilt turbos.

3

New Bearing System

Journal bearings, the thrust system, and all seal rings are replaced with new components. This is the heart of the rebuild and resolves the root cause of most SyTy turbo failures.

4

Shaft & Wheel Reconditioning

Shaft journals are measured and reconditioned, and both wheels are inspected for damage. Replacement or upgrade options are quoted only with your approval first.

5

VSR High-Speed Balancing

The rebuilt CHRA is VSR (Vibration Sorting Rig) dynamically balanced at actual operating shaft speeds and verified above OEM specification for absolute stability.

6

Reassembly, Actuator Check & Final QC

Housings are refit in their original clocked positions, the wastegate actuator is function-tested, and the unit is final-inspected and documented before shipping home.

What's Included

Every Rebuild Includes

New Bearings & Seals Throughout

Journal bearings, thrust system, and all seal rings replaced with new components on every rebuild.

Build Matched to Your Boost Level

Stock trucks get a faithful OEM-spec rebuild. Chipped trucks get a rotating assembly built for the thrust loads that elevated boost actually puts on this turbo.

Oil & Coolant Passage Verification

Every feed and drain passage in the water-cooled center housing cleaned and flow-verified, eliminating the blockages that cause repeat failures on vintage turbos.

VSR Dynamic Balancing

The CHRA is VSR balanced at operating shaft speeds and verified above OEM specification to ensure vibration-free operation at full boost.

Housing Inspection & Buff

Compressor and turbine housings inspected for cracks and contact marks and buffed to remove surface imperfections. Anything beyond buff-out is quoted before work continues.

Complete Photo Documentation

Every stage of your rebuild is photographed and logged in our repair management system, giving you a permanent service record for the truck's history file.

Fitment Guide

Compatible Models

Both trucks share the same Mitsubishi TD06-17C with 8cm² turbine housing: MHI part number 49179-04000, GM part number 15253, CHRA 49179-08940. The compressor runs a 48.3mm inducer and 68mm exducer, with a 12-blade 55.3mm / 65mm turbine.

ModelYearsEngineTurboStatus
GMC Syclone19914.3L LB4 Turbo V6TD06-17C / 8cm²Direct Fit
GMC Typhoon1992-19934.3L LB4 Turbo V6TD06-17C / 8cm²Direct Fit
Aftermarket TD06 upgrades (20G and similar)Any4.3L LB4 Turbo V6TD06H familySend Photos First
GMC Sonoma GT19924.3L Vortec V6Not turbochargedNo Turbo Fitted
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most from Syclone and Typhoon owners and the shops that keep these trucks on the road.

What turbo do the Syclone and Typhoon use?
Both trucks use the same Mitsubishi Heavy Industries TD06-17C with an 8cm² turbine housing, a water-cooled journal bearing unit rated at 14 psi from the factory. The MHI part number is 49179-04000, the GM part number is 15253, the replacement cartridge is 49179-08940, and the factory repair kit number is 49178-81100. Only about 3,000 Syclones and 4,697 Typhoons were built, so preserving your original unit matters.
I run a performance chip. Does that change the rebuild?
Yes, and it is the most important thing to tell us. Elevated boost dramatically increases the axial load on the thrust system, which is the first thing to wear on a chipped truck. Let us know your boost level and how the truck is driven when you submit your request, and we will build the rotating assembly to survive it rather than just returning it to a 14 psi factory spec.
How much does a SyTy turbo rebuild cost?
We cannot give an accurate number until we have torn down your turbocharger and assessed the condition of every component. Rebuild cost depends on what we find inside: bearing and thrust condition, shaft and wheel condition, housing condition, and how much cleanup the water-cooled center section needs. After teardown you receive a detailed, documented quote and you approve the work before we proceed. If you decline, your turbo is returned.
My truck has an aftermarket turbo instead of the stock 17C. Can you still rebuild it?
In most cases, yes. The common SyTy upgrade path is the TD06H-20G and similar Mitsubishi TD06 family units, which we service regularly. Send us photos of the ID plate and housings before shipping and we will confirm parts availability for your specific unit.
How do I ship my turbo to Boost Lab?
Remove the turbocharger from the truck and drain any residual oil and coolant before packaging. Double-box the unit with adequate padding. Ship to us at 37833 Pineapple Ave Unit A, Dade City, FL 33523 via UPS, FedEx, or freight. Submit your rebuild request at repair.theboostlab.com before shipping and we will provide a receiving confirmation and intake inspection within one business day of arrival.
What is the typical turnaround time?
Standard rebuild turnaround is typically 7-14 business days from receipt of your turbo. All work including VSR balancing is performed in-house at our Dade City shop, so nothing leaves our facility. If reconditioning or parts sourcing extends the timeline, we will contact you before proceeding with an updated schedule and quote.
Is the Sonoma GT turbocharged too?
No. The 1992 Sonoma GT wore Syclone-style looks but used a naturally aspirated 4.3L V6 with no turbocharger, so there is nothing for us to rebuild on a stock Sonoma GT. If yours has been converted with a Syclone drivetrain or an aftermarket turbo kit, we can absolutely service that unit; just include the details in your rebuild request.

Ready to Rebuild?

Start your rebuild request at repair.theboostlab.com. Every job is fully documented in our repair management system: you will receive status updates, photos, and a complete record of your rebuild from intake through shipment.

Start Your Rebuild Request

37833 Pineapple Ave Unit A • Dade City, FL 33523 • sales@theboostlab.com