I have an 89 7.3 idi that was originally N/A. The previous owner installed the banks side winder kit on it and i believe it just broke. It's making grinding noises and a loud knocking noise. The grinding noise is pretty constant and the knocking noise happens occasionally but usually when I let off the throttle. I'm curious on what route I should go and what I am able to do. I've looked at getting another banks side winder kit but cannot find where to purchase one and can't find many specs on the turbo it's self. I'd like to get an R&D turbo in the truck but I don't know if one would drop in with the way the side winder kit is set up. The other option is to make it N/A again but I don't know what it would take to do that but I haven't done much research on it quite yet.

Thanks

 

If you're hearing grinding froM the turbo the bushings are toast and the wheels are contacting the housing. Banks business model is sole source proprietary parts with a reasonably buy in and huge markup for service and support. They will not sell you parts to rebuild teh turbo, only take it as a core and sell you another unit for about $1700 IIRC. Not worth it by a long shot.

I like the Banks up pipe design, it's easy to work on, easy to seasl, fits any transmission, short pipes, etc. I suggest retaining the Banks hot side plumbing and fitting another turbo. There are a few threads on here discussing possible options that can be made to fit and work well with the IDI.

As for the knocking, I'd never heard of a turbo making a knocking noise. Knocks are typically from the bottom end of the engine. What is your oil pressure? Depending on your turbo oil feed if the bushings are toast that can cause low oil pressure and destroy your main and rod bearings.

Could also be worn motor mounts allowing excess vibration and rattling something on the engine or trans against the body, possibly the turbo on teh firewall leading you to think the turbo itself is knocking. Really need more detail to get anything but a wild guess.

 

Knocking and grinding sounds like more than turbo. Can you post a video?