I am looking to put a turbo on my 1986 f250. The previous owner says that there was a turbo already on it but I have no idea if it still has the head bolts and such. I don't have too much money but I would like to have a nice turbo. Do I have to get a banks/hypermax/Ats kit or can I buy a used turbo and fab my own pipes? The cheeper the better!
​​​Thanks!

 

This is explained ad nauseum on this forum. It's basically the main topic on this IDI section.

 

The thing that eats you up is getting one of these kits shipped to you. I have one in the shed, but unless someone near me in central Texas wants it I'll probably just hold onto it.

craigslist/local junk yards are you're best bet. And chances are the turbo will need a rebuild and that can run you up to 250-300 for the parts depending on what the turbo is...

I have a Detroit 8v71 turbo I use as a door prop, if only it would fit

If speed is you're thing but you're on a budget..save up for a cummins/duracrap/strugglestroke..6.2/6.2gm would just put you in the same boat you're in now.

A well tuned/properly maintained NA is pretty zippy for being such an old rust bucket. Old injection pumps/injectors contribute majorly to power loss, and if that's the case a turbo won't make much difference