I just purchased 1987 f250 4x4 w/ a 6.9, this is my 1st diesel and i am wanting to put a turbocharger on it but i dont know how to go about finding a good system. The truck came off of a local farm and only has a little over 90,000 Mi. on it. If anyone could help point me in the right direction it would be great.

 

I have a similar truck, and am also considering a turbo setup. I have found Banks, ATS, and Hypermaxx all offer turbo systems, at least so far. I am sure there are more.

 

Wow i guess the turbo systems arent cheap! I looked at the systems you had mentioned and i have a little better understanding about them,seems like it would make a huge differance as far as performance goes. Is there any thing i should be concerned about or watch for, because like i said i am new to the diesel world.

 

I would go with the ATS wastegated kit. Really makes it a new truck. 87's rule! heh-heh.

 

I am new to the non-turbo diesel world, but have been driving many turbo diesel trucks in the past couple of years. The turbo makes a huge performance difference.

From what I am told, the 6.9 and 7.3 non-turbo diesels in the Ford trucks are quite bullet proof, and adding a turbo setup won't be a problem. Some state it adds stress to the engine, and it does, but I feel the engine can really handle it without much trouble.

At 90k, your engine is really just starting life. Unlike gasoline engines, a cared-for diesel can last 300k plus. I have seen several with over a million miles, and just then neeeding rebuilding. Typically, if anything needs fixing, its generally the turbo.

I have been checking out the Hypermax system, as it is quite lower in price, and has an interesting setup. I have also been gathering info on propane injection, but am still undecided whether to try it or not.

I just recently picked up an '87 F-250 with the 6.9 IDI diesel for almost nothing, and am playing with it right now.

 

I just bought my 86 F-250 from a local dealer and i new that the turbo wasn't on the diesels until later so as i was driving this truck i noticed it had a aftermaket boost gauge looked under the hood and sure enough it was turboed. I bought the truck and had it for about 2 months now and love it. I was also wonder how much boost can these things take, it only see's about 9lbs. It also isn't intercooled so i don't know how much father i can take it.

 

The instructions in the turbo kits say 12 psi max, but mine has seen as high as 18 for short bursts. I wouldn't recommend it for long though.

 

Spectramac

Is your truck intercooled??
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No, intercoolers are way expensive. ATS makes one, but it's well over a grand.

 

Couldn't you adapt the intercooler from a powerstroke?

 

The non turbo charged engines are quite able to handle being turbocharged. Advising you to purchase guages for the engine - boost and (importantly) pyrometer in order for you to know what the engine is doing. The intercoolers weren't used until the serpentine belts were used due to the clearance needed to run the tubing from the turbo to the intercooler and back to the intake. Although, a person could make adapted systems that would work. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Because of the way the turbo mounts to the intake manifold the hardest part about adapting or making your own aftercooler would be routing the air out of the turbo and back into the intake manifold.
I just installed a 7.3 IDI with an ATS turbo in my 86 F250, whew what a difference. Worth every penny it cost for the turbo. I also added the pyrometer/ boost guages, and after a short time watching the pyrometer (800 miles) I would recommend that to everyone with a turbo or the fuel turned up on their truck. I am a retired over the road truck driver and have seen what to much heat can do to a motor.
1300 degrees (hot enough to melt pistons and turbo blades) for 10 minutes is like bluffing an 8000 dollar poker hand (the cost of the motor installed) with a pair of two's. You may get away with it once or twice, but more than likely someone will call your hand.