I agree and disagree at the same time

An N/A engine with the exhaust opened up and more air in will definetly make a big difference. Just adding the dual 2-1/4" exhaust on my first IDI made a good bit of difference. Didn't get around to a better intake though.
Yes, a turbo is the most substantial gain but it does come with a price tag!
For many folks who don't use their truck for business, the $1k price tag can be hard to swallow in tough times.
All I'm saying is that a better breathing N/A engine is usually more than enough for what many guys use their pickups for...commuting to work, with the occasional trailer towing.
My bone stock 6.9 has plenty of nuts for what I do. In the low end, it flat out rocks. Just today, I was hooked up to the 12' tandem axle dump trailer and with it loaded up with landscape debris I could still let the clutch out at idle in 1st gear with 3.55 gears. I just idle around the farm in 1st gear, or let it idle in 2nd gear. And yes, I give it about 1/2 throttle in 1st gear and I could still get the rear tires spinning in the hard packed dirt.

At the end of the day, a better breathing N/A engine will do fine for some low-budget folks such as myself

What is the intent of the truck? Hauling heavy? Just want a little more oomph? Or is it for fun?

Oh, and a turbo will make a HUGE difference at areas high above sea level where the air is thinner...

 

i did my exhaust and intake with muffler and buying a welder for less than 500. It can be cheap for someone just wanting to get more air and better exhaust. But nothing beats a turbo. I always said i didnt want to turbo but boy was i silly.

 

Lol I actually drive a First Gen Stroker myself, its a '96. Was just wondering how powerful the IDI's can get, im trying to look at an 86 6.9 in my area... Id like to pick it up as a project truck, see what I can make the Ol' Girl Do lol