Garrett G35: Specs, Fitment, and Is It Worth It

The Garrett G35 turbocharger is a mid-large-frame universal performance turbo covering the 700 to 1050 horsepower range on diesel and gasoline platforms that have outgrown mid-frame options like the G30 but do not require the G40's 1250 hp ceiling. Built around a 68mm compressor wheel, the G35 fits a range of large-displacement applications including performance diesel trucks, big-block gasoline builds, and compound turbo arrangements where the G35 serves as the low-pressure unit. Garrett offers the G35 in original Super Core configurations (G35-900 and G35-1050), a G-Series II Supercore and complete turbocharger (G35-990), and the GBC35-700 Super Core for the lower end of the range. This guide covers the full Garrett G35 platform: power ratings, the standard versus reverse rotation decision, the modular build path versus a complete turbocharger with internal wastegate, A/R selection, and what this Garrett turbocharger delivers across different build types.

Garrett G35 Specifications and Platform Overview

The G35 uses a 68mm compressor wheel inducer across all configurations. Power ratings by variant:

• GBC35-700 (G35-700): 700 hp rated Super Core; single Super Core SKU; pairs with a separately ordered G35 turbine housing
• G35-900: 900 hp rated; available in standard rotation and reverse rotation Super Core assemblies; pairs with a G35 turbine housing
• G35-990 G-Series II: 990 hp rated; current-generation G-Series II CHRA with improved compressor map and updated bearing design; available as a complete turbocharger with internal wastegate (IWG) in 0.83 or 1.01 A/R V-Band/V-Band, as a Supercore (standard rotation), and as a reverse-rotation Supercore; the complete IWG turbocharger is a self-contained unit requiring no separate turbine housing purchase
• G35-1050: 1050 hp rated; available in standard and reverse rotation Super Core assemblies; also available as a complete turbocharger with IWG in 0.83 or 1.01 A/R (standard rotation); pairs with G35 turbine housing when ordered as a Super Core

The rotation direction of the G35 matters for installation. Standard rotation turbos spin counterclockwise when viewed from the compressor inlet -- this is the typical configuration for most diesel truck builds with driver-side turbo mounting. Reverse rotation turbos spin clockwise from the compressor inlet and are used when the engine bay layout or exhaust manifold routing requires the compressor outlet to face the opposite direction from a standard rotation unit. Selecting the wrong rotation direction produces a turbo that cannot be properly oriented for the application's intake piping without creating a 180-degree bend immediately at the compressor outlet.

The G35, like the G40, is modular when ordered as a Super Core: the Super Core provides the rotating assembly and compressor housing, and a separately purchased turbine housing kit completes the assembly. G35 turbine housing kits are available in V-Band/V-Band (0.61, 0.83, 1.01, 1.21 A/R) and T3/V-Band (0.83, 1.01 A/R), in both standard and reverse rotation. The G35-990 G-Series II complete turbocharger includes the turbine housing and IWG as one unit, which simplifies the order for buyers who do not need a specific A/R outside the 0.83 and 1.01 V-Band options.

Top Picks: Garrett G35 Turbocharger Configurations

For a large single-turbo build targeting 900-990 hp where a complete, self-contained unit is the preference, the Garrett G35-990 G-Series II Turbocharger 0.83 A/R V-Band / V-Band IWG (934124-5001S) is the most turnkey G35 option in the catalog. The G-Series II CHRA delivers an improved compressor map over the original G35-900 and G35-1050 it updates, and the integrated wastegate eliminates the need for external wastegate plumbing and a separate housing selection step. The 0.83 A/R turbine housing is the correct starting point for most large diesel performance builds -- it provides strong spool speed while sustaining flow at the upper end of the 990 hp range. For builds that need the G-Series II CHRA paired with a specific housing A/R outside the standard IWG options, the Garrett G35-990 G-Series II Supercore Assembly (934123-5001S) provides the G-Series II rotating assembly ready to mate with a separately selected turbine housing kit.

For builds requiring a specific turbine housing A/R on a custom manifold, the Garrett G35 Turbine Housing Kit O/V V-Band / V-Band 0.83 A/R Standard Rotation (740902-0103) is the most commonly specified G35 housing for diesel performance builds. Browse the complete Garrett G-Series turbocharger catalog for all G35 Super Core, G-Series II Supercore, complete turbocharger, and turbine housing options in both standard and reverse rotation configurations.

Match to the Build

• Large diesel single-turbo build targeting 850-990 hp: The G35-990 G-Series II with 0.83 A/R IWG is the correct configuration for a large-displacement diesel platform -- 6.7L Cummins, 6.6L Duramax, or 6.7L Power Stroke -- targeting this power range as a single turbocharger; the G-Series II map sustains efficiency at the flow rates these engines produce at 900-990 hp, and the 0.83 A/R turbine housing provides sufficient spool on a 6.6-6.7L displacement engine
• Diesel build requiring a 1.01 A/R for peak power ceiling: For a diesel build where the 0.83 A/R turbine housing restricts top-end exhaust flow, the G35-990 G-Series II Turbocharger 1.01 A/R IWG provides the larger turbine housing in the same complete G-Series II unit; the 1.01 A/R sacrifices some low-RPM spool versus the 0.83 in exchange for lower backpressure at peak engine output
• Reverse-rotation application on a front-mounted or opposite-side turbo installation: The G35-900 and G35-1050 reverse-rotation Super Cores, and the G35-990 G-Series II reverse-rotation Supercore, are the correct choice when the engine bay or intake routing requires clockwise compressor rotation; ordering the wrong rotation direction creates an unworkable intake pipe orientation
• Low-pressure position in a compound diesel turbo setup: The G35's 68mm compressor and available large A/R turbine housings (1.01 and 1.21) make it suitable as the low-pressure unit in a compound arrangement feeding a factory high-pressure diesel turbo; the larger A/R options reduce the backpressure the G35 imposes at the high mass flow rates a compound system processes

Signs the Existing Turbocharger Needs Upgrading

• Power output at wide-open throttle plateauing below the engine's fueling potential -- the existing compressor reaching its maximum mass flow before the engine reaches its power peak; characteristic of a mid-frame turbo undersized for a large-displacement diesel or gasoline build that has been tuned and fueled beyond the compressor's rated ceiling
• Compressor surge at elevated boost -- a rhythmic stutter or flutter under boost indicating the compressor working beyond its stable operating range at a given pressure ratio; the G35's larger compressor map provides the surge margin a smaller turbo cannot maintain at the boost levels a performance build commands
• Excessive turbine backpressure limiting top-end power -- high exhaust backpressure from an undersized turbine housing reducing net engine output above peak torque; the G35's 0.83, 1.01, and 1.21 A/R housing range addresses this in stages depending on how much turbine flow the application requires
• Physical bearing wear, shaft play, or oil seal failure on the existing unit -- replacement required; the G35-990 G-Series II provides a current-specification bearing system and seal package when the existing large-frame turbo reaches end of service life

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to order a turbine housing separately for the Garrett G35?

It depends on the configuration. The G35-990 G-Series II complete turbocharger (IWG versions) includes the turbine housing and integrated wastegate -- no separate housing purchase is needed. The G35 Super Core and G-Series II Supercore assemblies do not include a turbine housing; a separately ordered G35 Turbine Housing Kit is required to complete the assembly. The complete IWG turbocharger is the faster path to a finished unit; the Supercore plus separate housing allows custom A/R selection outside the 0.83 and 1.01 options the IWG complete turbos offer.

What is the difference between the G35-990 G-Series II and the original G35-1050?

The G35-990 G-Series II uses Garrett's updated G-Series II CHRA with a revised compressor wheel profile and improved bearing design that widens the efficiency island compared to the original G35-1050. Despite the slightly lower hp rating (990 vs 1050), the G-Series II CHRA's broader efficiency range delivers better real-world performance at operating points inside the efficiency island than the original G35-1050 delivers at those same conditions. For a new build, the G35-990 G-Series II is the current Garrett recommendation unless the 1050 hp ceiling is specifically required.

Bottom Line

The Garrett G35 turbocharger covers 700 to 1050 horsepower in a 68mm mid-large-frame platform available as Super Cores, G-Series II Supercores, and complete IWG turbochargers. The G35-990 G-Series II complete turbocharger is the most accessible configuration for a large diesel single-turbo build, combining the updated G-Series II CHRA with an included turbine housing and integrated wastegate. For builds with specific A/R or rotation requirements, the Supercore and turbine housing catalog provides the flexibility to configure the G35 for any large single-turbo or compound diesel and gasoline application.