Hey readers,


Recently I bought an 89' XLT-Lirat F-250. It has a stock 351 W with EFI and I'm looking for some torque boosters for towing. Not used for mudding at all. Whether it be a cam or turbo or something I don't know about. I don't have a huge budget but I'm learning on it. I'd like to get a kit though when I look at them it's not complete or it's six grand. Maybe I'm just being really cheap.

Thanks in advance,
Elan.

 

You're being cheap.

Nobody is going to make a kit because there is not a market to support it. Those business' that do make one, have to charge a bit so they can stay in business. If you do find a company that sells one and is within your budget, the parts will probably not fit or fail shortly afterwords.

We all dream but many of us dream really big. If you do not have the skills or tools to make your own, then just get the basic hot rod parts. Just my two cents.

 

Thanks, Butcher,
I knew I was probably being cheap but didn't know if I was being ignorant of a website/group that made a mid-range turbo kit.
Have an awesome life,
Elan

 

I got a 95 5.8L with a Kenne-Bell supercharger. I've had it installed for a good 20 years and it really has been trouble free. When it is on the road, it's pulling a 5th wheel. There is no such thing as having too much power, but this small engine does a fairly good job.

They used to make a lot of superchargers back in the day. Most of them were centrifugal, which means you get more boost with RPM's. That power delivery probably would not satisfy you since you are looking for low end power, but there may be a few companies that still offer some type of kit.

Of course, you'll have to figure out the fuel system.

 

Butcher,
Is there a fuel system you would recommend? I'm already replacing the rear fuel tank so I might as well do it while I'm in there.
Thanks in advance,
Elan.

 

My stock fuel pumps work fine on 8psi of supercharged boost. You'll need someone that could either program your computer or just start from scratch. I'm using a Tweecer, but I am too green to offer assistance.

 

Keep us updated if you become successful with this idea. I'd be lying if I said this idea hasn't crossed my mind. I have a 94 F150 with a 5.8 and have considered this idea quite a few times. Only kit I found was on Summit Racing and it was 10k.

 

Holy cow!! 10k??!?! I plan on going through with this idea but I need to sell my 65' F-100 before I do anything cause I'll go broke
glad I started a thread that is actually going to help.

Elan.

 

Is that with stock internals? What modifications were made to make it work? Just curious

 

IF you decide to press the go button I recommend doing a few days worth (or just in your spare time) doing research to see if it is worth it. Before I make changes that alter the way the drivetrain operates I'll spend up to a week reading and watching anything I can find to see if it's worth it or not. Also probably worth it to crunch the numbers and try to find what everything will cost. Although it is a kit it might not cover things like the internals or the electrical part of things. I forgot to note earlier the kit I found was from a few months ago and prices have probably changed. Probably cheaper or more expensive options around. Don't have much experience in that department but for me I've always been happy with Summit Racing. So far all their parts have been good and very happy with the service. Whatever you decide I wish you luck good sir!

 

Shorty headers, complete [ie better] exhaust, 1.7 rockers, and an adjustable fuel regulator. Other than that completely stock with 8psi pulley. Stock E4OD with just a larger oil pan and and extra larger transmission oil cooler.

My truck is used for towing. First a slide in camper and now a 5th wheel. It has been used for strictly towing for a good 20 years.

 

I am in the process of upgrading my 95 F250 5.8L. The goal is to keep the Kenne-Bell supercharger and to swap out the engine for built 408/418 engine [haven't decided on the size]. With the larger engine, I will go with a slightly larger supercharger. The boost will be the same. I suspect when I am done, I will have a couple hundred extra HP and Torque. Maybe not, but when you are wishing, you might as well wish big.

To handle that kind of power, I did upgrade the E4OD to handle the power I hope to make. Extra clutches, more gears, etc. I recently installed this abortion that I created and it actually works. Few headaches I still need to iron out, but it works. I suspect the stock transmission would not hold up so well.

If you go turbo, you really need to look at the real big picture. Larger fuel pumps, stronger transmission, larger cooling system, etc. If you think $10k is a lot, I suggest you don't even start. I spent several thousand dollars on transmission parts and countless number of hours modifying the internals so it can hold up to the new engine power. I suspect I will spend $5-$6k on just engine parts. As usual for me, labor is free.

Then again, you can always go a low pressure turbo system. Without intercoolers, you can probably be ok with 6 psi. Something low will probably keep the upgrade parts down to a minimum.

 

I have a ZF5 trans, will it need replacement parts also or not because its a stick?

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-capacity.html
I'm not sure on exact ratings but here's a thread about it that might help you

 

With a standard transmission, you have the control how much you want to abuse it. If you drop the clutch with a whole bunch of power, I suspect the gears will fail quickly. If you clutch with less abuse, I suspect the transmission will hold up with a lot more power than it is rated for. If I had a manual transmission, I would not worry about it. I also would convert it to an automatic. Not that I can't shift a manual transmission, but for heavy duty work, I like an automatic better.

No, I do not know what I am talking about since some transmission fail just by looking at them.