HE551V 2881993 Turbocharger for Cummins ISX QSX15 CM870

HE551V

The HE551V is the Holset turbocharger for the Cummins ISX and QSX15 engines on the CM870 platform. The CM870 was the first electronic ISX platform with EGR, used from the mid-2000s. The HE551V is a large-frame VGT turbo for the 15.0L ISX — it sits between the fixed-geometry HX55/HX55W turbos used on earlier non-EGR ISX engines and the later HE400VG/HE451VE used on CM2250 and CM2350 platforms. Cummins OEM 2881993. Our HE551V ships new with all new components, dynamically balanced, with gaskets. We supply shops, fleets, and distributors.

Turbo Model

HE551V (VGT, ISX CM870)

OEM / Interchange Numbers

2881993

Application

Cummins ISX, QSX15 CM870

Service & Support

1-Year Unlimited-Mileage Warranty
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FAQ

The HE551V (2881993) fits the Cummins ISX and QSX15 on the CM870 platform — the first EGR-equipped ISX generation from the mid-2000s.

No. The HE400VG fits the later X15 (CM2350A/CM2450). The HE451VE fits the ISX15 (CM570, CM2250, CM2350). The HE551V fits the earlier CM870 platform. They are different turbos for different ISX generations. Check the CM platform number on your engine dataplate.

The engine dataplate lists the CM (control module) number. CM870 is printed directly on the plate. If you see CM870, this HE551V is your turbo. CM2250 or CM2350 means HE451VE. CM2350A or CM2450 means HE400VG.

Brand new, 100% new components, dynamically balanced. Ships with gaskets. No core charge. One-year unlimited-mileage warranty.

Yes. US stock, volume pricing for shops, fleets, rebuilders, and distributors.

HE551V for Cummins ISX CM870: The First VGT Turbo for the ISX

The CM870 was the generation where the Cummins ISX transitioned from fixed-geometry turbos (HX55, HX55W) to variable-geometry. The HE551V was part of that transition — a large-frame VGT sized for the 15.0L ISX with EGR. When this turbo fails, the engine derates because the ECM can no longer control boost properly through the VGT vanes.

Where the HE551V fits in the ISX turbo lineup

Turbo	Type	ISX Platform
HX55	Fixed geometry	ISX1 Signature 450 (pre-EGR)
HX55W	Fixed geometry, water-cooled	ISX2 Signature 600 (pre-EGR)
HE600WG	Fixed geometry, water-cooled	ISX2 non-EGR, Signature 600
HE551V (this page)	VGT	ISX CM870 (first EGR generation)
HE451VE	VGT, electronic actuator	ISX15 CM570, CM2250, CM2350
HE400VG	VGT, electronic actuator	X15 CM2350A, CM2450

The CM870 platform number on your engine dataplate is the key identifier. If it says CM870, you need the HE551V — not the HE400VG or HE451VE from later platforms.

Common failure modes

VGT vane ring sticking — the CM870 was the first ISX generation with EGR, and soot management was less refined. Vane sticking is common, especially on trucks with incomplete DPF regen history.
Bearing wear — shaft play at high mileage. Oil leaks, rising EGT, loss of boost.
Actuator failure — diagnose separately from the turbo body. If the actuator responds but boost is wrong, the turbo internals are the problem.