PAI 381180 Turbocharger – Caterpillar C7 ACERT 7.2L

The PAI 381180 is a premium aftermarket turbocharger for Caterpillar C7 ACERT 7.2L diesel engines. Based on the Garrett GT3782VA platform with an electronically controlled wastegate, this turbocharger is a direct replacement for Caterpillar 290-0508 and all associated part numbers in the C7 turbo lineage. It is engineered to restore factory boost pressure, throttle response, and ACERT system performance in medium-duty truck, bus, and vocational applications powered by the CAT C7.

Signs You Need a New Turbocharger

• Excessive black or blue smoke from the exhaust under acceleration
• Noticeable loss of power, sluggish throttle response, or inability to build boost
• Whining, grinding, or unusual noise from the turbocharger housing
• Oil leaking from the turbo compressor or turbine seals
• Turbo actuator fault codes or electronic wastegate malfunction
• Increased oil consumption without visible external leaks
• DPF regeneration issues caused by insufficient exhaust temperature from low boost

Specifications

Cross References

This turbocharger replaces or is equivalent to the following part numbers:

• Caterpillar: 290-0508, 2900508, 290-0511, 2900511, 290-0513, 2900513, 278-4380, 280-6886, 288-5467, 288-5468, 288-5469, 291-3994, 291-3995, 291-3996, 261-3167, 261-3168, 326-1205
• Garrett: 764146-5019S, 764146-0019

Applications

This turbocharger fits Caterpillar C7 ACERT 7.2L engines (210–300 HP) found in:

• Chevrolet Kodiak / GMC TopKick C4500–C8500 (2003–2009)
• Ford F-650 / F-750 (2004–2009)
• Freightliner M2 106 Business Class (2004–2009)
• Sterling Acterra (2003–2009)
• Peterbilt medium-duty models with CAT C7 (2003–2009)
• Kenworth medium-duty models with CAT C7 (2003–2009)
• Thomas Built and Blue Bird school buses with CAT C7
• Kalmar/Ottawa yard tractors with CAT C7

Installation Notes

• Inspect and flush all oil supply and return lines before installing — restricted oil flow is the leading cause of premature turbo failure
• Verify the electronic wastegate actuator connector and wiring harness are undamaged before installation
• Check the oil return line for kinks, carbon buildup, or restrictions that could back oil into the bearing housing
• Pre-lubricate the turbo by filling the oil inlet with clean engine oil before startup
• Inspect the intake and exhaust piping for debris, cracks, or boost leaks
• Allow the engine to idle for 2–3 minutes after installation to establish proper oil flow before increasing RPM
• Clear all turbo-related fault codes and verify wastegate actuator calibration after installation

The CAT C7 ACERT was offered in multiple horsepower ratings and turbocharger configurations. Some lower-HP models used twin wastegated turbos while mid-range models used a single variable-geometry turbo. Verify your engine serial number, arrangement number, and existing turbo configuration before ordering to confirm fitment.

Handling Time
At All Pro Truck Parts we do our best to ship all orders same day for orders placed before 12:00pm Central Standard Time. Same day shipment is never guaranteed. For standard UPS or USPS shipping, you will typically receive your package in 1 - 5 business days. Shipping times are never guaranteed and All Pro Truck Parts is not responsible for lost or delayed shipments by the carrier. Carrier times vary by distance from shipment origin and may change without prior notice. Shipping price is calculated from package dimensions and weight. Calculated rates for orders will be available at checkout. Orders placed after 12:00pm CST on Fridays will not be fulfilled until the following business day, Monday morning barring a holiday.

Next Day Air Shipments
The cutoff time for UPS Next Day Air is 12:00PM. If you have missed the cutoff time but would still like to place an order for Next Day delivery, please send us a text message or email. We can try to accommodate and ship your order from another warehouse.

Incorrect Shipping prices
All Pro Truck Parts reserve the right to cancel any order, in the event shipping rates are calculated incorrectly at checkout. We will notify you at your provided contact information to give you the option to pay the correct amount, or allow you to cancel the order for a full refund. 

Free Shipping
Select products qualify for free shipping. Qualifying product groups can change without notice. Free shipping will be shipped via UPS Ground, USPS First Class or USPS Priority Mail.  

Domestic Shipping Services

• USPS Domestic Shipping Services
• USPS Priority Mail
• USPS First Class Package
• USPS Ground Advantage
• USPS Priority Mail Express
• UPS Shipping Services
• UPS Ground
• UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. (commercial addresses only)
• UPS 2nd Day Air
• UPS 3 Day Select
• UPS Next Day Air Saver
• UPS Next Day Air
• UPS Next Day Air Early
• UPS Standard

International Shipping Services

• USPS International Shipping
• USPS First Class Package International
• USPS Priority Mail Express International
• USPS Priority Mail International
• UPS International Shipping
• UPS Worldwide Expedited
• UPS Worldwide Express Plus
• UPS Worldwide Express
• UPS Worldwide Saver

Returns
All Pro Truck Parts offers lifetime returns for any reason on NEW, UNOPENED items in the original packaging with exceptions. (See sale items and special order items).
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Used items (if applicable)
Items marked as USED at the time of sale will be accepted for return up to 30 days from the date of sale. 

Defective items (if applicable)
Defective items under manufacturer warranty will be eligible for return, as well as a full refund for the total amount paid by the customer. The following criteria must be met to be eligible. (a). The part is under manufacturer warranty (b). the manufacturer has determined the part defective for the purchased application. 

Refunds (if applicable)
Once your item is returned and received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within 7 business days. For order placed by phone through a card terminal, you must call in to initiate the refund. 

Late or missing refunds (if applicable)
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at sales@allprotruckparts.com.

Sale items (if applicable)
Only regular priced items may be refunded, unfortunately sale items cannot be refunded. 

Special Order Items (if applicable)
Special order items may be eligible for a refund. The decision to accept a special order item for refund is left solely to the All Pro Truck Parts management team. 

Exchanges (if applicable)
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at sales@allprotruckparts.com and send your item to: All Pro Truck Parts, 3948 Interstate 30 W, Caddo Mills TX 75135, United States.

Shipping
To return your product, you should mail your product to: All Pro Truck Parts, 3948 Interstate 30 W, Caddo Mills TX 75135, United States

You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, it is advised that you use a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
For returned items designated as "Free Shipping", any items shipped to the customer in which the customer did not pay shipping. All Pro Truck Parts will recover the cost of shipping to the customer's address from the refundable amount owed to the customer on the return and inspection of the item.