Anything wrong with adapting a 1997 powerstroke turbo to my NA 7.3 IDI?

[Sparks-IDI]

I've got a VIN K 1994 7.3 truck. When I got it, it had no turbo. From the factory it should have had one. For whatever reason, previous owners eliminated it. I'm driving it just fine as a NA truck. A friend has a 97 DI Powerstoke turbo setup sitting around and is willing to give it to me. Now I'm not too worried about mounting/adapting to the truck, (I have a complete machine shop). Can you give me a good reason why this turbo would not work? Fit up I am not overly concerned with. I'm just wanting to know if functionally, (boost) would be compatible with the IDI?

 

[IDIBOBS]

If you could can get it all to fit up properly I’d bet it will put out waay to much boost.

 

[onetonjohn]

How would the computer control work? Do they have after market engine control modules that can run independent that you can run in IDI?

 

[The_Josh_Bear]

I think he's saying he just wants to put the Powerstroke TURBO on his IDI. If that's the case, skip it. Lots of people have asked, a few have tried, and to my knowledge nobody has ever done it because the mounting is so different that it's a ridiculous amount of fab work. Custom up-pipes, move the firewall, turbo spins backwards, etc. It's like everything is "left-handed" if you get what I'm saying.

There's a few other cheap OEM take-off turbos that work better if you're up for the fab work. Better still are the stage 1 turbos over at Classic Diesel Designs or R&D IDI Performance

 

[WrenchWhore]

I wouldn't. Seems like way too much fabrication to make something work that isn't quite right for the application. Those turbos put out like 15-20 PSI stock which is probably way overkill for a bone stock high compression IDI. If you want a turbo, which I agree is a great addition, i'd just go the route @The_Josh_Bear recommended. Personally I went with a stock takeoff 093 turbo from a 1993 truck. Modified the exhaust on the turbo for a full 3" DP to 4" straight pipe and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

 

[KansasIDI]

I wouldn't. Seems like way too much fabrication to make something work that isn't quite right for the application. Those turbos put out like 15-20 PSI stock which is probably way overkill for a bone stock high compression IDI.

I think the people who tried it never could get them to light off and make boost, since they have such a high A/R ratio. They’re kinda laggy in the Powerstroke application, I think that’s the main reason.

If you want a turbo, which I agree is a great addition, i'd just go the route @The_Josh_Bear recommended. Personally I went with a stock takeoff 093 turbo from a 1993 truck. Modified the exhaust on the turbo for a full 3" DP to 4" straight pipe and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

Sounds good.

 

[u2slow]

I think you would get more responsiveness from a Holset from a Cummins Dodge. There you have a the choice of 18, 21, or 12cm wastegated exhaust housings... (Also the 9cm HY35) and a few more aftermarket sizes.

 

[Sparks-IDI]

Thanks for the input. I have been looking for an ATS 093 in any condition since I got the truck, no luck so far. I actually picked up from a junk yard the air box for one, but no turbo assembly. So now I am kind of warm to trying the Holset HX35W with maybe a 120mm exhaust housing. I have found them on eBay. Being wastegated I can hold down the boost level to protect the engine if necessary.

I found this on another forum, seems doable. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1203318-ats-uprgrade-093-vs-12cm-holset-hx35.html

The rotation looks to be correct and fabricating a pedestal/mount really does not worry me. I'm hoping for boost early on in the RPM's (1200 on up). I'm not looking to hot rod it. Any thoughts from you all?

 

[u2slow]

Would look for the 94-02 turbos then. The 12-valve ones (94-98) are easier to clock the two halves because of the wastegate bracket style. Otherwise fitting a spring gate makes sense.

Boost comes on early with these tight exhaust housings. I suspect the extra cubes are in your favour.

 

[BobS3]

I've got a VIN K 1994 7.3 truck. When I got it, it had no turbo. From the factory it should have had one. For whatever reason, previous owners eliminated it. I'm driving it just fine as a NA truck. A friend has a 97 DI Powerstoke turbo setup sitting around and is willing to give it to me. Now I'm not too worried about mounting/adapting to the truck, (I have a complete machine shop). Can you give me a good reason why this turbo would not work? Fit up I am not overly concerned with. I'm just wanting to know if functionally, (boost) would be compatible with the IDI?

I had a K model 7.2 built in March '94, that came with a turbo but was NOT a power stroke. If it had been built a couple of months (June?) later it would been a power stroke.
So look for a mid '94 or later 7.2 and you should be good.

 

[KansasIDI]

7.2

????

 

[Nero]

I assume a typo lol

 

[mike k]

Look up compound turbo 7.3 idi some guy put a 6.0 turbo in front of the stock and used a push pull cable to manually actuate the vet set up pretty nifty

 

[mike k]

It's on YouTube

 

[BillBallard]

My late friend used to tell this story about when he got married. The church was full. The family was sitting in the front row, and at the critical moment his grandfather yelled out loud enough for everyone to hear, “Don’t do her boy.” After a few gasps, the service continued.

It turned out he should have listened.