Are there any significant pros or cons to putting a factory (ATS built) turbo into a 7.3 IDI as opposed to an aftermarket turbo? I may be able to get my hands on one, but am wondering if there are any reasons to pursue or avoid the factory version. I understand that ATS sells a larger pipe and housing (?) upgrade for that unit that is reccommeded?

 

yeah factory turbo will not give you anything good just problems, hahaha its good bro. It would not have been selected by ford motor company if they didnt think it was good to go. are there better? probably but if you can get your hands on any turbo install that sucker and drive it like you stole it!! hahaha

 

On the factory turbo trucks...if you do the ATS 3" housing & downpipe with a good exhaust, turn the boost up to about 10 psi and turn the pump up...it'll have lots more power than stock.

 

The stock Ford turbo is an ATS 093 turbo with two differences.

In both pictures ATS is left and stock Ford is right.

Turbo outlet flange



Downpipe



Other than those two parts, the turbo's are identical.

 

now that down pipe on the right looks like it was bent. is that really normal stock??? Wow if so.

 

yep that is how ford chocked them down so the wouldnt blow the doors off of the psd

 

The story goes, Ford would lay all the new downpipes on the factory floor and have someone run over them with a forklift. Mine still has the factory pipe. If i was pulling anything heavier than my boat up and down the mountain, I'd change it. I'am still amazed how quick that 7,000 lb + truck is from a dead stop.

 

Actually Ford used that same down pipe on the 94 to 97 Power Strokes as well.

Wonder why the HP never went over 215 HP till 97 and then it went to 225 HP.
The 99 Stroke with 250 HP and it had a real exhaust on it.

If everything is exactly right, an ATS with a good IP and injectors and timing set right can get you very close to 270 HP at the flywheel.

 

I guess I should have asked earlier...is the factory 093 turbo wastegated or non-wastegated?

 

If your only reason to go with the factory unit is that you think you can get parts at the dealer while you are traveling, FORGET IT. I tried to get y-pipe, up-pipe and all gaskets at my dealer, Ford no longer sells them. You have to go to ATS to get the parts. One positive with the ATS is that it is mostly the same as the factory unit and even though the parts would have to come from ATS a Ford dealer would know how to work on it if you were 1000 miles from home, as opposed to Banks or Hypermax.

 

No, I'd be happy to go with one of the others. Going with this one because it is (I am) cheap! But, if I have to buy the outlet housing and downpipe upgrade kit, and or have it rebuilt, then it won't end up much cheaper than a new ATS Aurora 2000 kit by the time I'm done.

So, if it is a non-wastegated unit as well, then I might just consider shelling out the cash for new...

 

The stock Ford turbo was the ATS 093 turbo system which is wastegated.

Ford just used a smaller turbo outlet and downpipe to give clearance between the firewall and downpipe.

Without a body lift, the firewall needs a bit of clearancing at the cab seam for the 3" downpipe to fit.

 

Yeah, I was expecting to have to do a bit of redneck engineering for the 3" pipe. The setup that I'm getting comes with the factory housing and pipe, so if I can't find the 3" stuff, it should fit right in. I'd rather go ahead and do the 3" from the start, but that is proving to be difficult to find.

BTW, where was the ATS 088 used?

 

The 085 and 088 systems were all ATS aftermarket kits sold before the 093 system that Ford used.

Any of the turbo systems will increase engine performance.
Typically the wastegated versions produce more boost at lower RPM's since the wastegate can open and prevent overboost at higher RPM's.