Pondering a turbo

[saburai]

.

I agree on this. I much prefer an IDI over a newer truck(7.3 powerstrokes are pretty darn reliable, though), simply because it's /mine/. I'm not having to trust a computer(that I know nothing about, I can't fix or modify myself) to make it work. Pure mechanical power.

This is also why I run manual transmissions, too.

Yes, I agree as well. I'm thinking that another strategy might be to find another idi F-250 but already turbo'do and 4WD as well. The '90 XLT that we have now is a damned good truck and I've spent some time and money getting it pretty well sorted out. From what I saw while searching for this one, many of the idi trucks for sale have had lots of sub par maintenance/repairs/modifications. The sellers know nothing about cavitation and SCAs... If I could find a comparable truck with 4WD and a turbo, I'd buy it in a heartbeat and sell the one I have to a worthy buyer.

 

[pcwizzy16]

Get more gearing.

 

[raydav]

I have an 84 E350 with an 89 7.3. I also have a 2001 E350 PSD. I figured, same size, maybe Ford knew what they were doing on the 01, so I had a local shop build me an 01 turbo - $500.

No room on the engine so it is on the frame at the back of the trans.

Maybe three hundred dollars for a bonnet, a bunch of pipe, two exhaust temp gauges, air intake temp gauge, vac/boost gauge - vac indicates dirty air filter.

Mine is about five feet of pipe from the engine, but if I had a pickup, for less effort it could have been two inches. So I don't get all this expensive "kit" business.

My most expensive part other than the turbo is a scavenge pump that a pickup would not need.

And it changed the world. Five pounds of boost put me up one gear on hills and got rid of most of the black soot.

 

[saburai]

Get more gearing.

Thanks for your input!
Would you care to inform me of the best way to execute your suggestion?

 

[pcwizzy16]

Thanks for your input!
Would you care to inform me of the best way to execute your suggestion?

Well, I've never personally worked on the transmission or differential before, just the engine on my Dad's 6.9L IDI engine. I beleive there's something that you can get that goes between the tranny and driveshaft, that has lower gears, and also has overdrive, that, or get a lower (higher number) gear ratio differential.

 

[Thewespaul]

I think what he is referring to is getting lower gearing such as 4.88 or 5.13 and using a gear vendors overdrive unit to maintain the lower cruising rpm. That would do it but regearing a 4x4 costs a pretty penny

 

[pcwizzy16]

I think what he is referring to is getting lower gearing such as 4.88 or 5.13 and using a gear vendors overdrive unit to maintain the lower cruising rpm. That would do it but regearing a 4x4 costs a pretty penny

Yup. lol

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Saburai, "he" means Justin from R&D IDI Performance.

 

[saburai]

Ahh! That makes sense, thanks!

 

[Macrobb]

Gearing wise, just find one with 4.10 gearing, then add a GVOD for high speed cruising(and splitting 2-3, at least in a 5-speed).

Once you crank the HP from your 85-125 RWHP NA to 210-ish with a cranked up pump, you won't want or need any 'lower' gearing than 4.10 - you'll have plenty of hauling power.

 

[saburai]

Gearing wise, just find one with 4.10 gearing, then add a GVOD for high speed cruising(and splitting 2-3, at least in a 5-speed).

Once you crank the HP from your 85-125 RWHP NA to 210-ish with a cranked up pump, you won't want or need any 'lower' gearing than 4.10 - you'll have plenty of hauling power.

That sounds so nice! One way or another I need a idi turbo!

 

[jwalterus]

Gearing wise, just find one with 4.10 gearing, then add a GVOD for high speed cruising(and splitting 2-3, at least in a 5-speed).

Or you could go the route I plan to at some point.
I'm planning to drop some 3.73 gears into my axles rather than boost my truck. (After I put in a ZF, which will happen the next time I have to do the clutch.)
Of course, I'm building my truck as simple a machine as possible, less to break.
It's a lot cheaper than a GV.

 

[Macrobb]

Or you could go the route I plan to at some point.
I'm planning to drop some 3.73 gears into my axles rather than boost my truck. (After I put in a ZF, which will happen the next time I have to do the clutch.)
Of course, I'm building my truck as simple a machine as possible, less to break.
It's a lot cheaper than a GV.

For towing, I wouldn't go much higher than 4.10(3.73 might be close enough, 3.55 is definitely too high) - it's "about right" rpm wise - 2k at 60mph, redline above 90, and as long as you have the fuel, you'll keep a high torque up through 80+mph easily.
It's fine unloaded, though you are running higher than needed and will lose a couple MPG, into the 14-16 range, especially at 75 and higher.

Yes, I've towed at 80 on the highway hauling another idi rig on a flatbed, so... 8-9k?

 

[saburai]

Hi Gang, thanks for all the good information so far. I found a factory turbo kit in VA. on ebay for $750 seems like a good deal, the pictures look o.k.
https://lynchburg.craigslist.org/pts/d/73-idi-factory-turbo-kit/6254417222.html
It's a 8+ hour drive and I just can't get enough time to swing it. I'm waiting for a response, but I don't see why he wouldn't ship on my dime. I'd feel much better if I had a trusted compatriot to give it a once over. If any of you are close enough, I'd pay you for your time...

 

[pcwizzy16]

Hi Gang, thanks for all the good information so far. I found a factory turbo kit in VA. on ebay for $750 seems like a good deal, the pictures look o.k.
https://lynchburg.craigslist.org/pts/d/73-idi-factory-turbo-kit/6254417222.html
It's a 8+ hour drive and I just can't get enough time to swing it. I'm waiting for a response, but I don't see why he wouldn't ship on my dime. I'd feel much better if I had a trusted compatriot to give it a once over. If any of you are close enough, I'd pay you for your time...

The factory turbos are more fore altitude compensation, not power (At least from what I've heard), I'm not sure about the Banks turbo kit, or Hypermax, because I don't have one.