I am very new with diesels my dad gave me his 88 f250 4x4, cause he went out and bought a 05 powerstroke..just wondering what exactly what IDI and N/A means? I dont think mine is turbo, can it be made a turbo?
IDI stands for In-direct injection. Basically there are two types of ways to inject a diesel with fuel, either in-direct or direct. In a direct injection diesel, like powerstrokes and Duramaxs, a fuel injector sprays the fuel right on top of the piston. In a in-direct injected diesel, like our IDI's, diesel fuel is injected into a pre-chamber in the head, and then the burning fuel goes down into the combustion chamber. Somewhere on here there is a picture of a head chopped in half (thanks to Typ4) and shows the prechamber and everything.
N/A means Naturally Aspirated, or no turbo/supercharger. You can buy turbo kits for our IDI's, or if your lucky you can buy a factory turbo IDI (offered in 93-94.5 model years).
Here in Oregon it doesnt matter if its straight piped or not, it just has to pass a dB test, or thats what I've been told. I know in some small towns in the Cascades, there will be a sign saying no straight piped equiped vehicle engine braking or you will be fined.