in my 87 e350 w/ 6.9 and c6, i've been thinking about a couple upgrades for more power/economy.
first, a turbo is on my list (maybe just dreams, not sure), is it possible to fit the turbo into the van body? if yes, can it be done with stock parts or is it an involved custom-fab operation? also, are any other engine mods needed to support a turbo?
second, i'm thinking about getting a gearvendors OD unit for it. even with my 3.54 gears, it should help quite a bit on the economy side, not the mention more gearing options for towing.
i've pretty well decided that the GV unit is going to happen one of these days, but if it was your truck, which upgrade would you do first, assuming that money would only allow one to happen soon and the other in a year?
this truck is my DD/work rig, tips the scales at 8000lbs on an average day, and i tow cars semi-frequently. i'm a high-mileage guy, so economy is important, but towing ability is critical too.
what do you guys think?

on a side note, i'm looking for a new radiator, as mine is corroded, leaking from the core, and doesn't cool as well as it should. the challenge is that napa and other reputable parts stores want about $800 for the copper/brass unit, or about 700 for an alum-plastic unit. on orielly's website, the copper/brass is just under 600 after tax, but still, holy s**t, this is just a radiator, really!! i started looking up a rad for a pickup of the same year, it only costs 335 and looks like it could be made to fit, but the concern is that its only a 3-core not a 4-core, so i'm thinking i don't want to downgrade my cooling system, even while spending a couple hundred less. what do you guys think?

 

Rasdiator $305 from advance, last year. I'd do an E4OD before a GV. Way cheaper w/same OD and lockup TC. Look around for a cheap donor truck.

 

Advance isn't local for me, and their price is $430 before shipping, and if its wrong I pay shipping twice, just like last time I tried to play this game online when amazon claimed to have one for $220 but it was half the size. Lost nearly $100 on shipping on that deal. so i'm buying local.

 

As for the tranny, what do you like about the e4od? From what I hear, it can't handle the torque of a diesel without some major and expensive upgrades, and then I have to get the electronics straight. so I have to ask what makes it my best option?

 

I couldn't disagree more for the OP application. To purchase a donor vehicle, freshen up the e4OD (you know it will need it, atleast the updates), then time and parts spent running the harness, the computer, the sensors, ect., it just would out weight the cost of getting a used GearVendor unit.
They are out there. Complete bolt in units with the adapter. I got mine for 700, rebuilt it for 225 (I replaced the cone clutch too) and installed it in a few hours. The only added cost maybe to shorten the driveshaft but sometimes the previous owner will include that in the sale.
With the GearVendor setup you have the reliability/durability of a C-6 with the O/D when needed. Easy bolt on install and you can easily return the vehicle back to stock if needed and use the GV on another vehicle or resell it.
I never met anyone that has a GV and regrets it.

As for the turbo install, Hypermax ad Banks both offered turbo kits for 6.9/7.3 diesel vans and trucks.
Find a used kit for sale or buy new.
What I did was bought the turbo kit first, then the overdrive unit. With 3.55's already topped with O/D, you may not have the torque when towing to even use the O/D.
I am very happy with the performance of my 23 year old truck.

 

a guy on CL has an ATS turbo for the 6.9/7.3 IDI for only $600. is the ATS unit able to fit the van, and was it a good unit before they quit production? if you were in my shoes, would you jump on the deal?

 

I'm no expert with the ATS system. There are different models or improved systems through out the years for instance: 088, 093 IIRC.
Will they fit a van, I don't know.

When I was in the market a while back, my research found out of the box kits Banks was the best for what I wanted. Second was the Hypermax system. Both of these companies make a VAN specific kit.
Do some research and don't impulse buy. If that ATS kit is the latest version with the improved exhaust elbow and down pipe, then I'd say 600 is a good number as long as the turbo doesn't need rebuilding.

 

All I can say is good luck finding a turbo kit (of any kind) for these vans. Not alot of them out there. A turbo kit for a F-series truck will NOT fit.

You'll have to spend some hours on ebay looking for one.

And fitting a F-series truck rad in a van sure would require some good fab work.

Both, truck and van rads, for diesels are all 4 core (the stock model).

Don't go for those beer can aluminum/plastic rads. I hear nothing but bad news about those!


I also vote for the C6/OD unit!




Just out of curiosity, would you post a pic of your van for me?

 

ok, pics of the van (and my flatbed, etc) are on photobucket at <div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed92.photobucket .com%2Falbums%2Fl17%2Fredneck_from_index%2Ffeed.rs s" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" /><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s92.photobucket.com/albums/l17/redneck_from_index/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
that should pretty well cover the important part of the interior, exterior, etc. if the pics are of poor quality, thats what i get for using my phone
but anyway...i just sent banks an email to see what their turbo kit will cost for the van, i'm expecting a nice check to come in this week, which might cover that, then when money comes in again, i'll get into that overdrive... speaking of which, a guy on CL has a OD attached to an 86 F250 7.3 4x4 for $2k, i'm tempted to grab that while its available, save $1k on the GV unit, and have a truck to sell on top of that, but i have to get paid first, then buy a new driveshaft and the right adapter to go with it... still probably worth it...
@87crewdually, impulse buy was what happened with the wrong radiator on amazon, i guess i could be charged with BUI - buying under the influence, on that case... from now on, large purchases happen during the early part of the day when i'm sober and think/research first

 

trying again, Pictures by redneck_from_index - Photobucket it might work this time

 

just looking into turbo kits online... banks goes for $2650 at Banks Sidewinder Turbo System for 83-93 6.9/7.3L IDI Ford Diesel
hypermax goes for $1990 at Hypermax - Product Display
but the banks appears to have a lot more parts included... does someone have experience with both to recommend i choose one over the other? or are they both equally good?
on the earlier sidenote, i just bought an all-brass/copper radiator through my local parts store (who helps me out on prices when possible) for $425+tax, it sure will feel good to get this thing installed tomorrow and not have to worry about leaks, corrosion, and overheating!!