Turbo my 6.9 or install 7.3 with turbo

[allgonoshow]

Ok I have a 1986 F-350 crew cab. The entire pickup only has 50,000 original miles on it and runs great and is the most reliable IDI I have ever driven. I would like to have a little more power however. Here is my dilemma. I also have an 89 F-350 with a 7.3 that has a banks turbo on it. I believe it is the old style banks turbo. It is non-wastgated and has a square shaped airbox that says "banks turbo" on it. Old style correct? The 7.3 ran when we parked it but the body is trashed. Do ya'll think I should turbo my extremely reliable great running 6.9? Or should I remove the 7.3, install studs and new head gaskets and run that? Here is a picture of them both...

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[jonathan]

i would put the turbo on the 6.9 and stud it you dont need to stud a 7.3 and there have cavitation issues

 

[timothyr1014]

x2

 

[hesutton]

Stud the 6.9 and turbo it.

Heath

 

[typ4]

I love my 7.3, turbo the 6.9 and now would be a great time to head gasket and stud it then forget about it.

 

[allgonoshow]

Ok so it appears that my decision is clear...thanks guys. How much will the turbo affect the longevity of the engine when compared to non-turboing it?

 

[timothyr1014]

as long as you maintain it properly and watch your gauges you will probably get sick of driving it before it gives out

 

[allgonoshow]

What gauges are you guys using? Does anyone make an A-pillar setup for the boost/pyro?

 

[6 Nebraska IDIs]

Check out this thread. I thought I was running enough aftermarket gauges, but one of our more colorful members thought he needed his truck to look like a space shuttle cockpit.
http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?t=37495

 

[Rot Box]

You have some cool trucks!

I would stud a 6.9 for the same reasons listed above and keep the 7.3 around just in case

 

[FordGuy100]

I agree, stud the 6.9 and put a turbo on it. Dont have to worry about cavitation with the 7.3.

 

[allgonoshow]

Thanks for the compliment rot box. I love these old pickups. I also have a few 70's fords in my collection. Also thanks alot for all the input everyone. I am also seriously contemplating putting some 37'' humv take offs onto my crewcab, I have some 16.5's laying around. I wonder if I could get by with no lift? Maybe I could throw an extra leaf in the front. I'm sure they will rub a "little" but I can live with that... What do you guys think?

 

[Rot Box]

I am also seriously contemplating putting some 37'' humv take offs onto my crewcab, I have some 16.5's laying around.

They would look good My friend just ordered some for his 82 Crew Cab GM 6.2--can't wait to see it. The problem with H1's is the backspacing. You could either run dually front hubs and rear spacers or get the H1's recentered. PM 406YJ on http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=692850 if you choose to recenter them. He is great to work with and has the best prices by far.

EDIT: Oop's I thought you meant H1 wheels not the tires... My bad.

 

[Sycostang67]

A guy on FTE put 37's on his stock 1986 F-250. He was using steel wheels though so the tires fit really well. He claimed minimal rubbing at full lock.