HE351VE vs HE300VG: 6.7L Cummins Turbo Differences
Cummins used two different variable-geometry turbos across the 6.7L era, and owners often mix them up. Knowing which one you have matters for parts, diagnosis, and upgrades — and because the two look similar, carry similar actuators, and are both sold under the "6.7 Cummins turbo" label, the wrong one gets ordered more often than you'd think.
Quick answer: The HE351VE is the factory VGT on 2007.5–2012 6.7L Cummins trucks; the HE300VG replaced it on 2013–2018 trucks and carried on, with updated calibration, into the 2019–2024 fifth-generation Rams. Both are Holset variable-geometry turbos with exhaust braking, but they differ in design and calibration. True North Turbos builds an HE300VG-style drop-in that fits the full 2007.5–2018 range, and a separate 2019–2024 unit.
By model year
- 2007.5–2012 6.7L Cummins: HE351VE
- 2013–2018 6.7L Cummins: HE300VG
- 2019–2024 6.7L Cummins: HE300VG, fifth-generation calibration — see the 2019–2024 6.7 Cummins turbo upgrade guide
For the full HE300VG rundown, see What Is the HE300VG Turbo?
HE351VE vs HE300VG at a glance
| HE351VE | HE300VG | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years | 2007.5–2012 | 2013–2018 (and 2019–2024 with updated calibration) |
| Trucks | Fourth-generation Ram 2500 / 3500 | Fourth-generation (2013–2018) and fifth-generation (2019–2024) Ram 2500 / 3500 |
| Turbo type | Holset variable-geometry (VGT), electronic actuator | Holset variable-geometry (VGT), electronic actuator |
| Factory exhaust brake | Yes, via the VGT vanes | Yes, via the VGT vanes |
| Emissions era | DPF and EGR; no DEF/SCR | DPF, EGR and DEF/SCR (added for 2013) |
| Typical factory output | 350 hp / 650 lb-ft (HO 3500 with Aisin, 2011–2012: 800 lb-ft) | 370 hp / 800 lb-ft (HO 3500 with Aisin: 385 hp and 850–930 lb-ft depending on year) |
| Known weak points | Sticking vanes, actuator faults | Sticking vanes, actuator faults |
| TNT drop-in | HE300VG 63mm, 2007.5–2018 | HE300VG 63mm, 2007.5–2018 or HE300VG 63mm, 2019–2024 |
Factory ratings vary by cab, transmission and year; the figures above are the common pickup configurations.
What's the same
Both are Holset variable-geometry turbos: movable turbine vanes, an electronic actuator mounted on the turbo, quick spool, and factory exhaust braking. On both, the turbo is the exhaust brake — the ECM closes the vanes to build backpressure, so no separate brake valve is needed. Both are also prone to the same real-world issues — vane sticking and actuator faults — as they age, and both show it the same way: low boost, a weak exhaust brake, limp mode, and VGT position codes such as P003A.
What's different
The two turbos differ in internal design, sizing, and actuator calibration, so parts and tuning aren't universally interchangeable between them. The HE300VG arrived with the 2013 refresh that also added DEF/SCR aftertreatment and raised factory output, and its calibration was revised again for the 2019–2024 trucks. If you're buying a replacement or upgrade, match it to your year rather than assuming cross-compatibility: an actuator or turbo listed as "HE351VE / HE300VG" on a marketplace listing is not a guarantee it suits your truck. Owners of 2019–2024 trucks should read the 2019–2024 HE300VG fitment guide, because even within the HE300VG family the fifth-generation unit is a different part.
Which one do I have?
Three quick checks, in order of certainty:
- Model year. A 2007.5–2012 truck has the HE351VE; 2013 and newer has the HE300VG. If you know the year, you know the turbo.
- DEF tank. If the truck has a DEF filler (blue cap, usually next to the fuel filler) it is a 2013-or-newer truck and the turbo is an HE300VG. No DEF system means 2007.5–2012 and an HE351VE.
- Data plate. The Holset tag on the turbo's compressor housing lists the model and part number. Anything beginning HE351 is the earlier unit; HE300 is the later one. The Cummins part number on that tag is also what a shop will use to confirm an actuator or replacement.
If the tag is unreadable or the turbo has been replaced before, the Turbo Spec Form will match the correct unit from the truck's details.
The upgrade path for both
Rather than sourcing separate turbos, True North Turbos offers an HE300VG 63mm drop-in engineered to fit 2007.5–2018 6.7L Cummins trucks — so owners of both the HE351VE-era and HE300VG-era trucks can move to one upgraded, VGT-style unit that keeps the exhaust brake. It uses a 63mm 2618 forged milled compressor wheel for more airflow and lower EGTs, bolts in directly, and carries no core charge. See Best HE300VG Drop-In Turbo Upgrades for the details, and supporting mods for towing and power for what to pair it with. Fifth-generation owners use the 2019–2024 version instead.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the HE351VE or HE300VG?
Neither is strictly "better" — they were fitted to different model years. Both tow well and both benefit from upgrading when high-mileage or when you want more airflow.
Can I put an HE300VG on a 2007.5–2012 truck?
True North Turbos builds an HE300VG-style drop-in that covers 2007.5–2018. Confirm fitment for your specific truck before ordering.
Do the HE351VE and HE300VG use the same parts?
Not universally — internal design and calibration differ, so match parts to your year.
How do I tell which turbo is on my truck?
By model year (2007.5–2012 = HE351VE, 2013+ = HE300VG), by whether the truck has a DEF tank (DEF means HE300VG), or by the model on the Holset data plate on the compressor housing.
Is the 2019–2024 turbo the same HE300VG?
Same family, different part — the fifth-generation trucks use updated calibration and actuator details, so order the turbo listed for 2019–2024.