I just found a Gen 1 Banks Kit for sale without the crossover pipe. Seller says he’d take $600 and throw in 2 straight rust free 80-86 fenders, one of which the truck needs. Comes with neat F350 badges, too.
Information online about the Gen 1 Banks is sparse, but that could be poor Google Fu.
The information that I’ve found says the Gen 1 Banks Sidewinder:
1. This turbo is a pain to find a rebuild kit for. But Russ from Russrepair.com can rebuild for around $850.
2. Earlier Gen 1 Banks Sidewinder turbo’d ones more rounded edges on the air boxes with a 3" high Banks specific K&N filter. Filter can be bought from Summit.
3. Script read Banks 6.9 Turbo on the airbox, which was separate from the intake hat under it...much nicer to have to deal with if you need to work the IP or glow plugs, etc.
4. Expect to produce 5-8psi possibly up to 10psi if I’m lucky around 3000rpm. If there are no boost leaks, 1-2psi around 1900rpm.
5. The banks Gen 1 sidewinder is primarily a sound mod over a performance mod, but anything is a vast improvement over N/A.
Pictures:
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Questions:
1. CDR valve relocation.
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Is it enough to connect a larger enough diameter fuel hose to the bottom of this CDR valve or is there hardware that I need to make this work on an 89 7.3 Van motor?
2. What sort of HP/TQ numbers to the wheels can I expect?
3. Should I tear down and then reseal this motor before installing the sidewinder kit?
4. Should I pay to have it rebuilt?
5. What should I be checking when it comes to assessing condition? Shaft play? Bearing noises from dragging? Seller promises it’s good to go and ready for install to run. What should I check to trust but verify?
6. Are there any show-stopping reasons to avoid this turbo kit (for $600?). Common cracks? Common missing parts? Etc?
7. I’d like to put an intercooler on the truck. Is a 3” that much worse than a 4” intercooler? Can I just kit something together off of marketplace with enough flexible hoses and piping?
Ultimately I’ve No idea what I’m getting into or what all to research yet, but as of now I am planning to drive down and pick it up Friday.