92 7.3l Turbo ATS questiona

[FordATS92]

Hi All,

Owned my 92 F250 ATS turbo Truck about 5 years (2wd) 135k miles on it

I’ve been servicing it by going through all the weak links and upgrading whatever I learned along the way.

I’m not interested in making it fast or increasing horsepower. I’m more focused on reliability and reducing stress on the motor.

A few questions I have regarding these Turbo setups:

How much boost should I be seeing?

Is the factory ford oil pressure gauge off? Mine has always been by the “L” area. I never got around to installing a aftermarket oil pressure gauge but plan on in the future.


I’m servicing the trans this week and ordered all the ford oe parts for the 4x4 model. Was wondering if it’s worth upgrading the trans cooler as well? I do haul a car trailer 1-2 times a year.


Recently installed new aftermarket wheels and tires and had to use 2” spacers in the rear so the center cap can clear the hub. Is this ok? Or should I order the longer cap covers and remove the spacers. I felt longer center caps that protrude out so much would look goofy. The spacers seem quality built cnc and I took all precautions bolting them up and torquing them correctly.


Finally , anyone have recommendations on a doubledin head unit that won’t break the bank. I upgraded the 4 speakers and want to add an 8” /possibly 10” under the extended cab seat.

I just don’t want to lose the ability to fold the seat. I can build a custom enclosure just haven’t planned anything- maybe someone has plans/drawings ?

Sorry for all these questions - just trying to make this truck as reliable as possible and for the most part it has been.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

How much boost should I be seeing?

This depends on which turbo you have. The non wastegated ones will usually make in 8-10 PSI range at the most. The wastegated 093 will usually make in the 11-12 PSI range from what I've seen. That's if they turbo hasn't been modified to make more boost or if the wastegate on the 093 is still as it was first sold. Those can be adjusted to open later and build more boost.

Is the factory ford oil pressure gauge off?

Yes. Those aren't accurate at all. The "L" doesn't tell you how many PSI you have. It just shows that the needle moves to some point on the gauge.

Was wondering if it’s worth upgrading the trans cooler as well?

Yes. The stock cooler is barely adequate at best.

 

[FordATS92]

Thanks IDIBronco -

Ok, currently my autometer gauge shows boost maxing out at 6psi. I’ll install another gauge to confirm- what should healthy vacuum be at? It has athe factory external waste gate and I’ll have to check it it’s adjustable/ has a threaded rod. I’m not sure if the kit was factory installed or ATS did it after the truck left the factory? It looks like the 93/94 versions - with the cast aluminum ATS air cleaner.

In terms of the oil gauge - it just reads a signal and won’t provide actual pressure? Like an on off switch? I did read a while back that you can solder in a resistor so that it can sweep and read pressure by retrofitting parts off a 94+ year?

What trans coolers are recommended that are a straight forward install?

I’ve also thought about upgrading the radiator as I don’t like plastic end caps. Any suggestions there would be great- I’ve had god luck with the off brand Chinese versions in other build but I would weld a solid billet filler neck as the stamped necks would fail.

 

[IDIBOBS]

what should healthy vacuum be at?
It’s not vacuum it’s boost. Diesels make almost no vacuum at all. As far as what is a good boost? Depends o. Your needs. 6psi is good. I do about 12 max most of the time. Some do over 20 with built motors.

If you’re not going to use a factory radiator with a lifetime warantee from a local parts store I highly recommend champion radiators. 2 or 3 core they are rugged and last for a long time and they do have a life time warranty as well.

I use a 6.0ps trans cooler. It’s huge. It works. I tow 8- 10.5k just about every day.

As far as reliability and turbos the more boost the more fuel you need to burn that extra air. The more fuel and boost the less reliability and longevity you get. And the less mpgs. Power costs fuel. So 6-10psi would s pretty good if you do need the extra power.

Gauges, I’d do boost psi, trans, exhaust temp, oil and coolant. The factory gauges are just idiot lights basically.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

It looks like the 93/94 versions - with the cast aluminum ATS air cleaner.

The ones that were factory options said "Ford" on the air box. Since yours says "ATS"' it's an aftermarket one that was installed later. Yours doesn't have the "crushed" downpipe and it also has the slightly larger exhaust elbow.
I don't know how to modify the oil pressure gauge/sender. I prefer aftermarket ones that actually use numbers.
Cubey can say A LOT more about transmission coolers than I can.

 

[FordATS92]

Ahh ok that explains why it’s just a boost gauge with no vacuum- I’m used to fuel engines that’s why I mistook not knowing diesels don’t make any vacuum at idle- that explains the vacuum pump.

So just to clarify if I used a vacuum/boost gauge it won’t show vacuum just read 0 and then show boost when under load?

I’ll check out the 6.0ps coolers as well as champion radiators.

Yes my exhaust looks ok- not like the ford crushed piping I’ve seen so mine is an aftermarket install then.

There are still a few things I need to trouble shoot. My glow plug light on the dash stopped working years ago- I see when the controller is active because I see voltage drop but no “wait to start” light. How much of a hassle is it to r&r the dash and check the light bulb?

 

[IDIBRONCO]

So just to clarify if I used a vacuum/boost gauge it won’t show vacuum just read 0 and then show boost when under load?

Yes. That's right. In order to use a vacuum gauge, you have to tap into your vacuum system that's powered by the vacuum pump. The benefit to doing that is that you can keep an eye on vacuum pump health.