Welcome to the Holset Turbocharger Complete Model Guide, the reference PT Turbo built from more than 45 years of turning wrenches on diesel turbos. Holset (now owned by Cummins Turbo Technologies) has powered everything from light-duty Ram pickups to Class 8 over-the-road trucks and industrial gensets. If you run diesel, you have almost certainly relied on a Holset unit at some point.
The naming can look like alphabet soup at first: HX, HY, HE, WH, followed by numbers and letter suffixes. Once you understand the logic, though, picking the right replacement gets a lot easier. This guide breaks down every major series, what the numbers mean, and how to choose between new and remanufactured units.
How Holset Model Numbers Actually Work
Holset model designations follow a consistent pattern once you learn to read them. The first two letters identify the series and general frame family. The digits that follow indicate the compressor wheel size and frame class.
For example, an HX35 uses a roughly 35-family compressor frame, while an HX40 steps up to a larger wheel and higher airflow. The higher the number, the bigger the turbo and the more air it can move.
Suffix letters carry critical meaning too. A “W” often denotes a wastegated housing, “VG” or “VE” indicates variable geometry, and “VGT” confirms a variable-geometry turbine. Getting the suffix wrong is the most common mistake we see when customers order replacements.
| Suffix | Meaning | Common Application |
|---|---|---|
| W | Wastegated turbine housing | HX35W, HY35W on 5.9L Cummins |
| VE / VG | Variable geometry, electronically actuated | HE341VE, HE351VE, HE400VG |
| No suffix | Fixed geometry, no wastegate | HX40, HX50 industrial units |
The HX Series: The Workhorse Line
The HX series is the backbone of Holset’s fixed-geometry lineup. These are durable, simple turbos found on medium-duty trucks, agricultural equipment, marine engines, and the legendary 5.9L Cummins.
The HX35 and HX40 are the most recognized models in the diesel performance world. The HX35W came factory on 1994 to 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks and remains a go-to platform for moderate power builds. If you own one of these trucks, our Ram 2500/3500 5.9L Cummins Turbocharger Guide covers the HX35, HY35, and HE341VE side by side.
- HX27 / HX30: Smaller frame, mid-range diesels, fast spool for lighter engines.
- HX35: ~54mm compressor, supports roughly 350 to 450 horsepower.
- HX40: ~60mm compressor, supports 450 to 600+ horsepower.
- HX50 / HX52 / HX55: Large-frame units for high-output and industrial use.
- HX60 / HX80 / HX82 / HX83: Big-bore units for Class 8 and heavy industrial engines.
Because the HX series is fixed geometry, most rely on either a wastegate or no boost control at all. That simplicity is exactly why fleet operators love them. Fewer moving parts means fewer failure points.
The HY Series: A Refined HX
The HY series sits close to the HX in frame size but with revised aerodynamics and often a wastegate tuned for emissions-era engines. The HY35W is the most familiar example, fitted to 2003 to 2004 5.9L Cummins Ram trucks with the 24-valve high-pressure common-rail engine.
Compared to the earlier HX35W, the HY35W added an integrated wastegate and improved response for the electronically controlled engines of that era. Owners frequently swap between the two, but the mounting and boost control differ, so verify before ordering.
Holset Turbocharger Complete Model Guide to the HE Series
The HE series is where Holset moved into variable-geometry turbocharger technology, and it is the most important line for modern diesels. These units use movable vanes in the turbine housing to change exhaust flow geometry on the fly. If you want the engineering background, this overview of variable-geometry turbochargers explains the principle well.
Variable geometry lets one turbo behave like a small, fast-spooling unit at low RPM and a large, high-flow unit up top. That eliminates most turbo lag while meeting strict emissions targets. It also enables exhaust braking on many Cummins applications.
Common HE Models
- HE300VG / HE300VGT: Found on 6.7L Cummins in 2013+ Ram trucks.
- HE341VE: Early variable-geometry unit on 5.9L Cummins.
- HE351VE / HE351CW: The 5.9L (2004.5 to 2007) and 6.7L (2007.5 to 2012) Ram Cummins VGT.
- HE400VG, HE451VE, HE531VE: Heavy-duty Cummins ISX and ISM applications.
- HE561VE: Large-frame VGT for high-horsepower Class 8 engines.
The larger HE units power the biggest on-highway Cummins engines. If you run an ISX, our Cummins ISX Turbocharger Guide breaks down the HE400VG, HE451VE, and HE531VE differences in detail.
The trade-off with VGT units is complexity. The variable vanes, electronic actuator, and position sensor all add potential failure points, and carbon buildup or a sticking actuator will trigger boost faults and derates.
The WH and Older Series
Before the HX and HE naming took over, Holset used the WH designation on many industrial and heavy-truck turbos. The WH1C and H1C appeared on first-generation 5.9L Cummins engines in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
You will also see older H2 and H3 frame units on vintage Cummins big-cam engines. These are simple, rugged, and still rebuildable. If you have an antique or a restoration project, our turbocharger rebuild service can bring one of these back to spec rather than hunting for a discontinued casting.
Actuators: The Part That Fails First on VGT Units
On variable-geometry Holsets, the actuator does the hardest job. It constantly repositions the vanes based on ECM commands, and heat cycling plus carbon buildup wear it out well before the CHRA itself fails.
Symptoms of a failing actuator include low boost, hesitation, limp mode, and stored codes for turbo actuator position. Before you condemn an entire turbo, test the actuator. Replacing it alone can save hundreds of dollars.
While Holset uses its own electronic actuators, many of the pneumatic actuators we stock cross over to Garrett and Mitsubishi VGT and wastegate applications commonly found alongside Holset units in mixed fleets. A few we keep on the shelf:
- Garrett Pneumatic Actuator 757979-5102, available from PT Turbo for $240.94, view the Garrett Pneumatic Actuator 757979-5102 here.
- Garrett Pneumatic Actuator 445963-0040, a heavier-duty unit at $465.52, view the Garrett Pneumatic Actuator 445963-0040 here.
- Mitsubishi TD03 Pneumatic Actuator 49S3118761 for $104.33, view the Mitsubishi TD03 Actuator here.
- Mitsubishi Pneumatic Actuator 4918918935 at $83.99, view the Mitsubishi Pneumatic Actuator 4918918935 here.
Not sure which actuator or turbo cross-references to your Holset application? Our team knows these platforms cold. Reach out through our contact page with your engine and part numbers.
New vs Remanufactured Holset Turbos
For most fleet and owner-operator budgets, a quality remanufactured Holset delivers the same performance as new at a significant savings. A properly rebuilt unit gets new bearings, seals, and a balanced rotating assembly, then is tested to OEM specs.
| Factor | New OEM Holset | Remanufactured |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price (HE351VE class) | $1,600 to $2,400 | $700 to $1,300 |
| Warranty | OEM standard | Comparable when done right |
| Lead time | Often longer | Usually in stock |
| Core charge | None | Refundable core
Cross-Reference & Superseded Part NumbersThe turbochargers covered in this article match or supersede the following OEM and manufacturer part numbers. If you are searching by part number, these are the units stocked by PT Turbo for this application: 003020 • 003023 • 3591890 • 3592773 • 3598273 • 3598483 • 4030041H • 4030045 • 4030227H • 4030269 • 4030273 • 4030715 • 4030720 • 4030736 • 4030747 • 4030757 • 4030763 • 4030767 • 4030780 • 4030782 • 4030784 • 4030786 • 4030793 • 4030831 • 4030835 • 4030845 • 4030847H • 4030858 • 4030861 • 4030870 • 4030877H • 4030892 • 4030894H • 4030914 • 4030915 • 4030916 • 4030918H • 4030923 • 4030926H • 4030930 • 4030935 • 4030945 • 4030963 • 4030967 • 4031254H • 4031315 • 4031327 • 4031381 • 4031435 • 4031461 • 4031488 • 4032006 • 4032029 • 4032046 • 4032219 • 4032238H • 4032259 • 4032262 • 4032265 • 4032277 • 4032284 • 4032292 • 4032294H • 4032304H • 4032305 • 4032306 • 4032664 • 4032706 • 4032721 • 4032739 • 4032769 • 4032869H • 4032975 • 4034013 • 4034055H • 4034144H • 4034145H • 4034150H • 4034256H • 4034294H • 4034320H • 4034322H • 4034356H • 4034384H • 4034387H • 4034464H • 4034499 • 4035465 • 4036553 • 4037504 • 4038545 • 4038889 • 4040391 • 4042573 • 4043168 • 4043564 • 4044633 • 4044721 • 4044722 • 4044830 • 4047073H • 451298-0044 • 49S3118651 • 49S3118761 • 5503312H • 6454763H • 759361-10 • 759361-12 • 844064-5004S • 844070-5003S • 844669-0005 • 844669-0007 • 857564-6001 • 860779-5016S • 879673-5002S • 879779-5006S • 880547-5003S • 880547-5023S • 896030-5001S • 896032-5001S • 898198-5001S • 914959-0001 • 953223-5001S • CHRA-BMW-S63-X5M-X6M • CHRA-GT2876R • CHRA-GT4508R-STD • CHRA-GT5533R-91MM • CHRA-GTX2967R • CHRA-GTX3582R-GEN1 • GTX3071R+Bolt-on+Turbo • PTT-C30-004 • PTT-CWH-011 • PTT-FIE-006 • PTT-FIE-008 • PTT-FIE-017 • PTT-FIE-026 • PTT-FOC-011 • PTT-FOC-012 • PTT-FOC-036 • PTT-FOC-052 • PTT-FOC-056 • PTT-FOC-064 • PTT-FOC-086 • PTT-FOC-091 • PTT-FOC-B24 • PTT-HGC-004 • PTT-HGC-069 • PTT-HSG-058 • PTT-HSG-094 • PTT-HSG-100 • PTT-HSG-102 • PTT-HSG-135 • PTT-HSG-282 • PTT-HSG-291 • PTT-HSG-360 • PTT-HSG-369 • PTT-HSG-378 • PTT-HSG-388 • PTT-HSG-389 • PTT-HSG-414 • PTT-HSG-429 • PTT-HSG-431 • PTT-HSG-432 • PTT-HSG-444 • PTT-HSG-488 • PTT-HSG-559 • PTT-HSG-567 • PTT-HSG-594 • PTT-HSG-596 • PTT-HSG-597 • PTT-HSG-599 • PTT-HSG-642 • PTT-HSG-725 • PTT-MS3-002 • PTT-MS3-007 • PTT-MS3-023 • PTT-MUS-010 • PTT-MUS-011 • PTT-S60-002 • PTT-SUB-096 • PTT-TBO-024 • PTT-TBO-101 • PTT-TBO-871 • PTT-TBO-876 • PTT-TBO-J15 • PTT-TBO-M25 • PTT-TBO-N25 • PTT-VVW-182 • PTT-VVW-195 • PTT-VVW-200 • PTT-VVW-292 • PTT-VVW-327 • PTT-WGT-098 Can’t find your number above? Contact PT Turbo — our team has been matching part numbers since 1978. Need This Turbo Rebuilt? Need a Turbocharger?PT Turbo has rebuilt and sold turbochargers since 1978. We stock remanufactured units for Cummins, Duramax, Power Stroke, Detroit Diesel, and more — backed by a 12-month unlimited mileage warranty and same-week shipping from San Bernardino, CA. 📞 (909) 824-1020 · 346 S I St. #3, San Bernardino, CA 92410 · [email protected] |