How to Identify a BorgWarner Turbo

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Where to Find the ID Tag

Most BorgWarner turbochargers carry their identification on a stamped metal plate or laser-etched tag attached to the compressor housing or the center housing rotating assembly (CHRA). On the popular S300 and S400 families, look for a small rectangular aluminum tag riveted to the compressor cover, usually near the inducer side where the casting offers a flat mounting surface. Some units instead have the data laser-etched directly into the compressor housing or stamped into a machined boss on the bearing housing.

If the tag is obscured by soot, grease, or heat discoloration, gently clean the surface and shine a light across it at an angle. BorgWarner also stamps important information into the compressor wheel hub and onto the housings themselves, so if the primary tag is gone, check the machined faces of the center housing and the back of the compressor cover for supplementary markings.

Reading the Tag

A BorgWarner tag typically lists three key pieces of information: the model designation, an assembly or part number, and a serial number. The model designation is the quickest way to place the turbo within a family. BorgWarner uses a frame size followed by wheel specifications, so an S300 or S400 indicates the base frame, while extended designations like S363, S366, S369, S467, S472, and S475 encode the compressor wheel inducer and turbine sizing. As a general rule the digits relate to the compressor wheel diameter, helping you distinguish a smaller S363 from a larger S475.

The assembly number (often a 7 or 10 digit part number) identifies the exact build configuration, including the specific turbine housing A/R, wheel trims, and any application-specific features. The serial number is unique to the individual unit and is what BorgWarner uses for warranty and production tracing. When in doubt, the assembly number is the most reliable identifier because the same model designation can be built in several different internal configurations.

Common Identification Mistakes

• Confusing similar model numbers within the same family, such as mistaking an S363 for an S366 or an S472 for an S475, since the wheel sizes differ by only a few millimeters and the housings look nearly identical.
• Assuming the frame size tells the whole story. An S400 frame can house many different compressor and turbine combinations, so two turbos labeled S400 may not be interchangeable.
• Trusting superseded or revised assembly numbers. BorgWarner periodically updates part numbers, and an older tag may not match current catalog listings even though the turbo is functionally the same.
• Mistaking aftermarket or relabeled units for genuine BorgWarner. Many vendors sell S300 and S400 style turbos with replacement tags or no tag at all, which can hide non-original internals.
• Reading a compressor cover casting number as the model number. Casting numbers identify the housing only, not the complete turbo assembly.

What to Send Us

When you reach out about identifying your turbo, include as much of the following as you can:

• The full model designation (e.g. HX35, GT3782VA, S400)
• The assembly or part number, if visible on the tag
• The serial number, if present
• A clear photo of the complete tag
• A clear photo of the complete turbo
• The vehicle, engine, or equipment it came off of, if known

Email photos to [email protected], or use our Contact form and include what you know in the Turbocharger Info field — we’ll help identify it from there.

Frequently Asked Questions