I have a 1986 6.9L, wondering should I install turbo?
I have noticed the top two seem to be Banks sidewinder and Hypermax pulse. I would love to hear from anyone with personal experience with these turbo systems. Thanks

 

It really depends on what you want or use the rig for. Personal opinions:

1. If its a daily driver and doesn't tow or see the hills or mountains then just leave it.
2. If its a tow rig or sees alot of time in the mountains or hill country then turbo it and don't look back...

Thad

 

Well hypermax still makes parts

 

as does banks.
just ordered a bunch of parts from 'em.

i got a used banks kit, simply for fuel economy/efficiency, timb.
speed limits are mostly 45 MPH (or just 25/35 even) where i drive most.N/A has no issue doing that even at 16k ish gross lol.
we have some 55 mph zones,but i try not to do it anyway even when on 'em with fuel @ sick prices.basically i can't afford to drive fast. (well,id have much less for more important stuff anyway.)

 

as soon as i have a few thousand bucks to spare, i'll be putting a turbo in my 87 e350. its a DD/work vehicle, i tow 2-4 times a month, live in the mountains, truck never weighs less than 7900, and drives about 40k miles/year, mostly highway. the 6.9 n/a puts out enough to drive however i want when not towing, but that turbo would sure be nice when i've got a little more weight behind her or trying to climb the pass
its a done deal that i'm going to, its just a question of when i'll have the money.+
the thing i'm wondering about is that the banks costs $3k for the kit, the hypermax only about $2k, so i'm wondering if there's much of a quality difference... would i be satisifed with the hypermax, or is it lacking something compared to the banks?
either way, i'll be buying new because finding a van kit used is all but impossible

 

I see nothing wrong with the Hypermax turbo. I believe Banks price is because of the Banks name.

The first turbo I bought was an ATS in 89' or 90'. The complete kit with gauges and full exhaust was just under $2,000, the 088 and installed on an 86' supercab. I debated at the time between the Hypermax and ATS. Went with the ATS because they were local to me at the time.

I honestly think the Hypermax is a better designed system. I have my dad's 87' with an older Banks system. Truck has actual 72,000 miles. Replaced O rings and return lines yesterday and was thinking the truck sure doesn't run like my 86' did, even though the same guy rebuilt and setup the injection pumps on both trucks.

I've never liked the intake on the Banks so I decided to do a quick setup of a 6637 air filter just for grins. Took the truck for a ride and was impressed. Far less smoke on a hard throttle, quick turbo spin up, 9 psi boost (never seen that before unless loaded). So now I know why I never liked the Banks intake.

I have no experience with newer Banks but if it's restrictive like the old system, I don't like it either.

Have to figure out a permanent free flowing intake now!

 

i know hypermax offers an intake system for $425 to go with their turbo kit, which is not included with the kit (should be IMHO), and would seem to be a large part of the price difference, as the prices i see online then put the hypermax kit plus intake at $2415 (before shipping, tax, or whatever). i'm wondering if anything else has to be added to the hypermax kit to have it road-ready, and i would ask the same question of the banks

 

I would go with a ATS Aurora system, they are cheaper than both, and they are just as good if not better than the sidewinder.

 

Here is a link for the ATS system:

ATS Aurora 2000 Turbo kit for 83-93 6.9/7.3L IDI Ford Diesel

Here is a link for the Banks:

Banks Sidewinder Turbo System for 83-93 6.9/7.3L IDI Ford Diesel

Here is a Link for the Hypermax:

Hypermax - Catalog

 

Most that have experience with the different companies will tell you that Hypermax is the best to deal with and its a good product.

Aune,

You are the rarity that recommends ATS...not saying you are wrong just in the minority.


Thad

 

since ATS doesn't offer a kit for vans, they aren't even a consideration for me, and their price is a little above that of a hypermax, while not appearing to have much more in their kit. considering this, why do you prefer them?

 

I thought ATS discontinued their kit for the 6.9. If they truly did it might be hard to get parts in the future.

 

ATS discontinued the 093, 088, and 085 kits.

Thad, I recommend the ATS because Ford wouldnt have chosen ATS if they didn't think it was gonna give the best performance, my buddy cahoon(ARmy friend) has a 94 with a newer Aurora system on it, he is running 16 psi on his 7.3 with stock head bolts, stock pretty much everything and its performance is right up there with the earlier powerstrokes.

 

And I like being different lol.

 

Not different, I'm very pleased with mine.