1986 F250 6.9 IDI Turbo Kit recommendations

[8769bigred]

I'm looking to turbo charge my truck. It is a 186 6.9, 141k miles with a 6.9/T19

This truck belonged to my great grandpa and i have no interest in making a bunch a power. I'm looking for an option that is 'drop in' with no upgrades to the stock fuel system. My options seem to be a Banks Kit, Hyper max kit or a CDD kit. The banks kit seems to be the best plug and play one stop shop option. I haven't been able to find much about the hypermax kit or the cdd kit and how people like them. I'm pretty sure I will add a PSD intercooler to it either at install or later on. Does anyone have any firsthand experience with these kits?

Thanks!!

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I'm not sure if CDD makes a complete kit for stock, as the kits were originally sold.
When I used to work on these trucks for a living, the latest Banks kits made the most boost overall, from what I saw. They would usually make 12-13 PSI. Not all of the trucks had a boost gauge and not all of those that had them had working ones.
Kansasidi has a Hypermax kit on his truck. I think that he's pretty happy with it. Those and Banks are the only ones that still list the kits new although there's doubt about the Banks kits still being made. Someone mentioned on here a while back that Banks didn't have them in stock.
You'll want to watch out if you're going to turbo a 6.9 without head studs. You'll want to keep the boost levels low, but you can do that by not turning your fuel up as much. You also might want to retorque your head bolts if you're planning to keep them. The generally accepted rule is a max of 10 PSI on 6.9 head bolts.

 

[8769bigred]

@IDIBRONCO Thanks for the info! I just got off the phone with banks and said they don't have any kits on hand but can have one put together and shipped in about 2 weeks. I wasn't sure if the CDD stage one kit was considered 'stock' because it seems like it's just a refurbished 093 ATS kit with some new parts? I'm not sure. I was planning on using a waste gated system to not exceed the 10 PSI. I have the factory head bolts in, so I don't want to overdo it. I may do studs any way I'm not sure. I've done studs on my 87 6.9 I'm sure the 86 is about the same procedure. I'd be curious to hear some feedback on the hypermax kit. I have never seen one in person, the banks defiantly seem to be the popular option back in the day

 

[rreegg]

i've read the hypermax spools at higher rpms than the banks which might be one of many differences worth considering

 

[DirtyWood]

I have the Banks Sidewinder and have no complaints. The turbo spools quickly and off-the-line throttle response is very good. Not a lot of whistle but it's there. Well I guess I have one complaint--air filter options are slim. I'm not a fan of the Banks/K&N air filter design and info on what other filters are compatible is hard to find, in fact, I'm still looking for it!

 

[KansasIDI]

Kansasidi has a Hypermax kit on his truck. I think that he's pretty happy with it.

Right you are. And Hypermax makes an intercooler kit designed to work with either their Pulse kit or the ATS 093. My only complaint is the leaks on the exhaust side can be difficult to seal up. I might switch my 91 to an 093 kit someday.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I wasn't sure if the CDD stage one kit was considered 'stock' because it seems like it's just a refurbished 093 ATS kit with some new parts?

After looking at it, I would have to say that it's definitely a stock kit with some improved parts. They do list an option for upgraded turbos at extra cost, but the Stage One kit should be a stock kit.

Not a lot of whistle but it's there.

That's a bonus for me. It would make me want it even more without a lot of whistle.

I'm not a fan of the Banks/K&N air filter design and info on what other filters are compatible is hard to find, in fact, I'm still looking for it!

Understandable. You could use a cold air intake of some sort and do away with that filter. I think that filter's the biggest complaint for that turbo kit.

 

[Nero]

The CDD turbo kits are a complete plug and play kit. Ive always heard rule of thumb for a 7.3 on stock head bolts is 12psi, which the stock wastegate opens at 8psi?

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I heard it at 15PSI.

 

[DirtyWood]

I guess this could be a thread unto itself but I have read in a number of different posts that high boost at WOT right off the line is riskier than easing into high boost at higher RPMs. Maybe someone more knowledgeable could explain the difference succinctly. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[TahoeTom]

I have a Hypermax Pulse kit with a cowl intake. The most boost I have seen is 7 lb so not a concern with stock head bolts, though I have ARP studs. It helped my truck climb the grades around here in the Sierras without a huge smoke show. There is no wastegate on these. I like the fact that the stock air filter can be used with this kit. I think the cowl intake helps keep hot under hood air from the intake. The intake is simple to remove to access glow plugs, injectors and return lines. The factory CDR attaches to the intake. I have the Banks adapter on my oil filler and run the blow by through a catch can before going to the intake via the CDR. I did have to shim up my intake to clear my lines.

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[FrozenMerc]

I have the CDD Stage 1 kit on my engine - originally installed in late 2020. It started out as a 6.9, and then got a 7.3 block and rotating assembly put under the 6.9 heads when the block cracked a main web after I hydro-locked it due to filling #8 with coolant from a blown head gasket. I also run a 90 cc CDD pump, the wastegate is locked closed and it builds about 12-13 psi of boost at full tilt boogey. Exhaust is through a 3.5" Banks Kit. The down pipe had to be modified as obviously the Banks downpipe doesn't work with the CDD / ATS turbo, but that is what cutting wheels and welders are for. I have been very happy with the CDD kit, and since it is essentially a stock ATS (or '93 / '94 Ford Factory) setup, parts are still readily available if needed.

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