i need more power

[dyoung14]

hello i am new to this forum and iam need some help i have a 1989 ford f250 with a 7.3 idi and i need more power to tow my 28ft. pontoon boat i know that a few companies makes turbo kits but i dont have enough money do buy a turbo. so could you please help me?

[PLC7.3]

What is the rear axle ratio, what trans do you have, how many miles on the engine/trans..... What size tires are you using, how old are the injectors and IP.

Is it really power or speed you want...........

[David85]

Keep an eye out for used turbo kits. I lucked out and got one nearly complete for $200 (going rate is usually $500 for a decent used kit). Ebay has them from time to time, but if there is a wide spread classifies network in your neck of the woods keep an eye on that too. I found my kit in a local ad.

Adding a ram air intake will help a little, opening up the exhaust can also help a little.

As PLC said though, what is the rest of the condition of the vehicle?

[Dave Sponaugle]

dyoung14,
Welcome to FTE and the IDI diesel forum.

How heavy is the boat?

[dyoung14]

it has 3.73 gear ratio 5 speed trany 84,567 miles not sure how many miles is on ip or injectors and my tire size is 285/75/16 something like a 33, im not really sure how much the boat ways but i know that it is 28ft long and when i start up the mountain the speed will drop from 50 to 35 40 mph id liked to at least hold 50 or 55 mph on the road so i wouldnt have like three hundred people passing me

[Dave Sponaugle]

Trying to hold 55 or even 50 means a turbo is what you are looking for.

Without more air in the engine, it just won't happen.

A more open exhaust and a ram air might get you a couple MPH faster, but that is about it.

Most pontoons are wide, so not only are you pulling weight, but you are also catching a lot of air with the boat.

When pulling the hills, do you see any smoke out the exhaust?
What color?
How does it run empty?

[dyoung14]

unloaded it will pull the mountain 50 mph in 5 gear when i pull the pontoon boat i dont see a lot of smoke but when i shift down i see a puff of black smoke when it goes back in to gear but right after that it clears up

[Dave Sponaugle]

Sounds like the fuel is set about right for the amount of air you have going into the engine now.

[dyoung14]

and i also forgot to say that it will puff some black smoke out when i take off from a dead stop in 2nd gear. ive read were people made there own ram air intakes could yall give me any ideas own how to do that

[Dave Sponaugle]

Several different versions here, this is mine.