Ball Bearing Turbos

Ball Bearing Turbo for Cummins Diesel

Diesel Power Source® dual ceramic ball bearing turbos spool approximately 200 RPM faster than journal bearing turbos — available for 5.9L Cummins (1989–2007), 6.7L Cummins Swap Kits, and 6.7L VGT Replacements (2007.5–2018).

A ball bearing turbo uses dual ceramic bearings instead of oil-fed journal bearings to support the rotating shaft. Less rotational friction means faster spool-up, better throttle response, and longer bearing life under high RPM. DPS ball bearing turbos are available as single turbos, 3rd gen swap kits, VGT turbo & manifold packages, and as a $550 upgrade on any compound turbo kit. Pair with the Turbonator® VGT for the fastest-spooling, highest-efficiency turbo configuration available for Cummins diesel.

Every DPS ball bearing turbo uses dual ceramic ball bearings in the center housing rotating assembly (CHRA). These bearings handle extreme heat and RPM better than conventional journal bearings, reduce oil dependency at startup, and resist the wear patterns that eventually kill journal bearing turbos in high-performance diesel applications. Available across the entire DPS turbo lineup — from 420 HP single turbos to 1,200 HP compound kits.

~200 RPM Faster Spool

Consistent gain across every turbo size

Reduced Friction

Dual ceramic bearings cut rotational drag

Longer Bearing Life

More durable than journal bearings at high RPM

~$550 Upgrade

Available on every DPS turbo and compound kit

Ball Bearing Turbo Options by Platform

5.9L Cummins (1989–2007) — S362 through S369 ball bearing singles. Direct bolt-on for 12V, 24V, and common rail. 420–775 HP.
6.7L Cummins 3rd Gen Swap (2007.5–2018) — Ball bearing S300 + 2-piece manifold. Replaces factory VGT. Turbo stays in factory location. 530–775 HP.
6.7L Cummins VGT Replacement (2007.5–2018) — S300 ball bearing VGT with T4i flange. Emissions compatible. Direct HE300VG/HE351VE replacement.
6.7L Turbo & Manifold Kit — Ball bearing VGT turbo bundled with DPS manifold. Complete matched system.
Compound Turbo Kits (All Platforms) — Add ball bearing CHRA to the S300 high-pressure turbo on any DPS compound kit for +$550.
Ford 6.0 Powerstroke Turbonator® VGT — Ball bearing upgrade available on S363 configurations.

Why Upgrade to a Ball Bearing Turbo?

Faster Spool-Up

Ball bearings have significantly less rotational friction than journal bearings. The turbo shaft accelerates faster at low RPM, which means boost arrives approximately 200 RPM sooner. On a towing truck, that’s the difference between waiting for the turbo and having power when you step on it.

Better Throttle Response

Reduced bearing friction means the turbo responds more quickly to throttle inputs. The truck feels snappier and more responsive, especially from a stop or when passing. Drivers consistently describe ball bearing turbos as feeling like a smaller, quicker turbo with the airflow of a larger one.

Run a Larger Turbo Without the Lag

This is the real value. Ball bearing lets you select a larger compressor wheel for more top-end power while keeping spool characteristics closer to a smaller turbo. A ball bearing S363 can spool like a journal bearing S362, and a ball bearing S366 closes most of the spool gap to a journal bearing S363 — more power without giving up as much low-end response.

Extended Bearing Life

Dual ceramic ball bearings handle higher RPM and higher temperatures better than oil-fed journal bearings. They resist the soot contamination and oil coking that degrades journal bearings over time, especially in trucks that are driven hard or tow heavy loads regularly.

Ball Bearing vs. Journal Bearing: When Is It Worth It?

Best Value: Towing & Daily Driving

If you tow regularly and want the fastest possible spool from your turbo, ball bearing is the smart $550 upgrade. The ~200 RPM improvement is most noticeable in towing scenarios where you need power quickly from low RPM.

Best Use: Upsizing Your Turbo

Torn between a smaller fast-spool turbo and a larger more-powerful turbo? Ball bearing is the compromise. Choose the larger turbo for more power and let the ball bearing close the spool gap. Best of both worlds.

Best Pairing: Ball Bearing + VGT

Stack ball bearing (~200 RPM gain) with Turbonator® VGT (~200–300 RPM gain) for up to 500 RPM faster spool than a comparable journal bearing fixed-A/R turbo. This is the fastest-spooling configuration DPS offers.

Ball Bearing Turbo Maintenance

• Synthetic oil required — ball bearings require synthetic-based oil for proper lubrication
• Oil restrictor fitting included — must be installed to prevent over-oiling at high RPM
• Cool-down after hard driving — idle 30–60 seconds before shutdown to prevent heat-soaking the bearings
• Regular oil changes — standard intervals; clean oil is critical for bearing longevity

Available On

✓ Every DPS S300 single turbo (5.9L and 6.7L)
✓ Every DPS 3rd gen swap kit
✓ Every DPS compound turbo kit (S300 high-pressure turbo)
✓ DPS Turbonator® VGT (select configurations)
✓ Ford 6.0 Powerstroke Turbonator® VGT

Ready to upgrade? Browse 5.9L Ball Bearing Turbos, 6.7L Ball Bearing Swap Kits, or Compound Kits with Ball Bearing.

Ball Bearing Turbos

Ball Bearing Turbo for Cummins Diesel

S300 Turbo for 6.7 Cummins 2007.5 - 2018 T4i Ball Bearing Turbonator® VGT

Ball Bearing Turbo for Dodge Cummins 1988 - 2007 -Dual Ceramic

DPS Ball Bearing 3rd Gen Swap Kit - 6.7 Cummins 2007.5 - 2018 Ram

DPS S300 VGT Ball Bearing Turbo & Manifold Package

Ball Bearing Turbo Options by Platform