Hey y'all. I gotta 1989 f-250 4x4, 5 speed, idi 7.3. I love this truck. She has never failed me. Bought her when I was 18 and I'm 30 now. 178,000 miles. It's bone stock, runs great, but I been toyin with the idea of maybe puttin a little pep in her step so to speak. I don't wanna do anything crazy, just wanna give it a lil more hp. Any ideas?? Thanks!

 

TURBO! look for a sidewinder for easy (relatively) and quick HP

 

I've tossed that idea around some, goin with a turbo. Had about 8 or 9 Powerstrokes, a couple Dodges, I know the difference it'll make, I just can't hardly bring myself to spend that kinda cash on one! Hahaha.

 

A turbo is really the only thing you can do to make horsepower on these. No other options.

 

That, or a fresh tune up if it hasn't had one in the last 100k miles....

 

You won't ever see that kind of performance out of these motors without going NMB2/Racinndrummin type crazy. They are good old reliable work horses, but not really performance friendly. Hit the JY's search e-bay for a bolt on turbo kit, or look for an old donor truck with a turbo already on it.

 

Tune up sure, for 5-10hp or turbo for 50-100hp... or more

 

Fish around for a used kit, or build your own! Does not have to cost a fortune... Member Hairyboxnoogle here built his entire HX35 set up for around 300$. There are some very good custom turbo threads on this site, whatever you do, don't go spending 2,500$ on a NOS Banks Sidewinder kit! That's the only one still available new for the IDI, it's over-priced, and the selling point that parts and support are still available is starting to turn around and bite Banks owners in the butt... especially WRT internal components if/when the charger unit needs rebuilt.*
Banks Talk.....
I*picked up a used Gen II waste gated Sidewinder kit for my build, but after doing my homework, I will probably just use the cross over pipe, and cast iron up pipe to mount a better turbo (one that i can continue to get parts for) and ditch the rest of the kit. I know I will get a few rotten tomatoes thrown at me for saying that, as it's a very decent turbo for a stock set up, but i would not invest new price kind of money in one.*

To those who say tune up is the only way to get more out of it without going turbo, are we forgetting Russ' torque cam grind? supposedly had some pretty noticeable improvement, especially at lower rpms even without forced induction. There. I just kicked anothet ant hill!*

 

True enough on the cam, but i doubt someone who wont spend 800 for 75%ish more power will spend 300+ on 10-20% (thats being optomistic imo) there are headers also. A few have gone with a supercharger even. Which in all actuality should be easier than a turbo i think

 

I appreciate all the advice so far. I'm gonna start lookin for a turbo kit. Maybe a better air filter system. As far as the truck havin a tune up, it gets well taken care of. The oil n all filters are changed every 3000 miles regardless. The rest of the truck is maintained just as good. I add my injector cleaner bout every 5 fill ups. I'm no expecting a night n day difference in performance outta the truck, just a lil extra hp. Nothin crazy. She's a workhorse, and I like that. My cousins are all dodge fans. Every year we all haul about 500 round bales of hay, 12 at a time, they all have me on speed, but not on takin off from a dead stop. And mine don't squat like their dodges! Haha

 

Propane injection is a option. Ziggster's page

 

No propane for me.

 

I*picked up a used Gen II waste gated Sidewinder kit for my build, but after doing my homework, I will probably just use the cross over pipe, and cast iron up pipe to mount a better turbo (one that i can continue to get parts for) and ditch the rest of the kit. I know I will get a few rotten tomatoes thrown at me for saying that, as it's a very decent turbo for a stock set up, but i would not invest new price kind of money in one.*

I don't mean to change this thread, but I have an '87 6.9 and am trying to decide what turbo to add to it. Can you give me some idea's on which ones you are talking about? "better turbo"

Ted

 

Many of the options are discussed here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...er-thread.html

Keep in mind that many of the turbo's discussed in that thread require quite a bit of custom fabrication to mount and pipe into the exhaust and intake systems. Some are bolt on kits, or bolt on kits with upgraded chargers. All depends on your fabrication skills/resources and wallet depth! "Better" is also relative, as the turbo should be sized to the amount of fuel you have, the intended use of the truck and supporting engine modifications (cam, studs, intercooler etc.)

 

...................Why not?