New to the website

[Robt.Webster]

I have been kicking around the idea of replacing my '91 F-350 crew, but really didn't want to do so as the truck is in great condition with only 70,000 miles as I work out of the country a lot. While trolling a bit looking at Ford diesel information, I came across this site and have new hope for my truck.

As I said, the truck has 70k miles with a 5-speed manual, and was turboed early on with a California Turbo kit including the exhaust and intercooler. Although it was quite an improvement over the stock truck, I am not sure that it is really giving me the best performance. With the pump turned up to give me an exhaust temp of 1080 degrees, I am only seeing a boost pressure of 3.5 psi after the intercooler. I am seeing other folks talking about boost pressures of 10~15 psi. The truck is used mostly pulling a 40 foot 5th wheel weighing in at ~14,000 lbs, and daily transportation when not towing. The exhaust temperature and boost pressure indications have been tested and found to be spot on.

Now to my questions:

-Does anyone else have any experience with the California Turbo kit? Any good/bad feedback on this turbo?
-Should I be seeing higher boost pressures than this or is this a function of the intercooler?
-Would it be possible to change the turbo itself for a more modern waste-gated turbo or one with IGVs utilizing the balance of the existing equipment and realize some improvements in performance?
-I have been reading with interest the threads on the Moose injectors and pump. Would I expect to see real-world improvements for the type of duty that this truck sees?

I am interested in improving the performance of the vehicle without sacrificing reliability or spending mega-bucks in search of that last little bit of power.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help or just shore their thoughts on the matter.

 

[OLDBULL8]

Welcome to the OB. Lot's of great guys on here with a lot of knowledge.
Couple of questions to clear the air.
Does the 91 have the digital odom? 70K seems awful low for a 91.
When are you reading the boost ? Climbing hills, accelerating, or on level hiway, while pulling the 5er.
When are you seeing the EGT? Is that maximum when towing?
What is a California turbo kit.? Googled it, but can't find any specifics about it. One forum on it, says 5-8 lb of boost is like maximum, otherwise it would exceed the CARB limits. Do you have a wastegate on the turbo?

 

[Robt.Webster]

The 70k odometer reading is correct. I am the original owner of the vehicle, and have put every mile on it.

The boost and EGT numbers quoted are pulling the load and climbing, so the maximum load condition.

The California Turbo Shop kit was available back in 91 along with the HyperMax, ATS and Banks turbos. Seemed like the best choice at the time, but you are right, they seemed to have dropped off of the map somewhere along the way.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Robt.Webster]

Sorry, neglected to mention, no waste gate on the turbo.

Thanks again.

 

[gsxjay]

the general conscious is the 093 turbo is a fair turbo and a member on here does some awesome turbo work on them and since it was stock on some trucks in 93-94 should be an easy swap i run this turbo with the gate unplugged an easily hit 15 psi when loaded and is there a cut off year for smog testing in callie if so what is it you may be exempt from the testing thus making modding the truck only limited to your wallet but i am unsure how they run things there

 

[icanfixall]

Welcome to the finest forum about anything on these Ford Trucks or engines. Seeing that you are the original owner I need to ask a few questions. Have you ever timing the engine. Are the injectors the original and is the injection pump original. We feel around these parts that the pump and injectors are about worn out at ruffly 100,00 to 125,000 miles. Your miles are getting there but no need to be throwing money and parts at it yet. Being a non wastegated turbo your not going to se the boost numbers other turbos with a wastegate will see. Its not possible. A non turbo has a bigger hot side just so it wont overboost. A gated turbo has a smaller hot side so the boost comes in quicker but its able to open a valve called the wastegat to bypass or vent some hot exhaust gas directly into the down pipe and exhaust system without going thru the hot wheel side of the turbo. I do recall something once said about the California turbo setup and I think its designed to sit on the exhaust manifold either on the drivers side or the passenger side. Been many years and I really can't recal much about it. Seems the Banks, Hypermax and ATS ran them out of business...

 

[freebird01]

Post up a pic of the turbo setup

 

[Robt.Webster]

Thanks for the welcome.

Everything on the truck is original, including the injector pump and the rest of the fuel system. The truck has had a gear splitter and exhaust break installed, but except for the turbo, the balance of the engine is as it came from the factory (except for resetting the injector pump stroke with the turbo installation)

You are correct, the California Turbo Shop turbo sat on the drivers side and the glow plug transformer had to be relocated to accommodate it.

What suggestions do you have that might give me the most return for the money, knowing the history of the truck?

Thanks again.

 

[Robt.Webster]

Post up a pic of the turbo setup

Sorry, I am away from home for the nexr several weeks, so I can't do right now. Will do so when I return home.

Thanks!

 

[FordGuy100]

Never hear of the California turbo setup. I'm wondering if it's like a rayjay setup. Turbo sit on top of an exhaust manifold to either side of the engine, or back behind it towards the firewall?

Usually you can find a turbo to fit most applications. Perhaps an HX35 or something along those lines.

Welcome! And give us some truck **** (pics)

 

[Robt.Webster]

Never hear of the California turbo setup. I'm wondering if it's like a rayjay setup. Turbo sit on top of an exhaust manifold to either side of the engine, or back behind it towards the firewall?

Usually you can find a turbo to fit most applications. Perhaps an HX35 or something along those lines.

Welcome! And give us some truck **** (pics)

Will send the pics when I get home.

Got to thinking about what someone said in a previous post concerning the CARB sticker, and remembering seeing the sticker that came with the turbo, and the name of the turbo manufacturer was on the sticker...it wasn't California Turbo as I has said earlier, it was The Turbo Shop, and they were out of California!

My only excuse is an early onset of Alzheimer's and the fact that it's been more than 20 years now. Apologies for leading everyone astray. Perhaps now it may ring a bell with more folks.

The turbo is mounted between the engine and the firewall, and the exhaust exits on the passenger side where it follows the original exhaust path.

Again, sorry if I led anyone astray.