And then if you do a little more work to the engine after installing the turbo, those headers will become some expensive junk.

Things get exciting after the boost goes over 20 PSI.

Here hemi, here hemi, come out and play hemi.......chicken.

 

Hey Dave, have you jacked up your motor yet? How's it pullin'?

 

I'm sure they would and I'm sure it does. Gotta' remember though, those of us who don't use our trucks to MAKE money, find it rather more difficult to afford the kind of investment to run 20+ psi boost!

I mean, to get one to where yours is cost you several grand, right? If it's a working rig that makes you money, that's a lot easier to justify doing than if its just a recreational rig or a plain old "driver" like so many of ours are....

 

CJ, I wouldn't be so quick to categorize the spending habits of truck owners. I don't make money with my truck and have spent way more than I should have. It's fun and I can which is why many of us are doing it. If only my engine blew... Actually, Dave may be an exception...many people doing wild builds like his are rec rigs or racers. Many people who rely on their trucks for work are driving the Powerstrokes and Cummins (more parts and people to work on them). It does help justify the cost when you can write off the repairs but I think Dave's justification is seeing the Dodge in the rear view mirror.

 

Yeah, you're right. I guess I should have said....

I keep forgetting, not everyone is as cheap as I am....

 

I don't know, I think I'm pretty close!

 

BTW Dave, know anybody who has some of that kind of "expensive junk" that they'd like to unload?

 

Don't get me wrong...I'm always looking out for a steal. Getting back to the original posting... bolting on a new turbo kit is going to cost at least $2 to $2.5k new and uninstalled regardless of the system. But once it's on, your HP potential is only limited by your imagination (and wallet). All the systems come with a complete exhaust so when you factor in that the ATS upgrade with a 3 inch exhaust is already $800, the price for the turbo isn't terrible when you factor in the performance benefits.

 

So now we are pushing $3K for turbo, exhaust probably want to replace the IP and injectors... What about those stage 1 injectors with a turbo calibrated pump like from DPS? Should I stay with the '91 IP or go to a "93-94? So many decisions. Eventually I'll get it all sorted out. 3" or 4" exhaust?

 

The only one of those questions I feel qualified to give an opinion on is the one about exhaust. Once you have a turbo stuffing all that air into the motor, it has to go somewhere when the engine is done with it. Seems to me that the 4" would be the way to go.......

 

I think the muffler is more important than the exhaust pipe size. Just get one you can see through.

 

hmmm... sounds like a straight pipe

 

1991,

I got the turbo pump from DPS, great service from Ken and the pump work well. If I had known about the stage one injectors, I would have gotten those as well. Have you thought of trying to find a truck with a turbo already or getting one of the used ones? What's the condition of your current ride?

 

The condition of my '91 XLT F250 4x4 isn't bad. I'm the original owner and just had it repainted last year. Put on some new wheels and tires after the paint. I mainly just use it for towing. I noticed last week towing my rock crawler that it just didn't have the power it used to have, had to drop it in 4low to climb a steep grade with the jeep on a trailer, probably 6-7Klbs. It's been hard to start lately so this weekend i'm going to change out all the GP's and replace the return lines. They are still original. I just want it dependable for towing the boat and jeep and be able to pull the Seirras when we head up to the Rubicon.


With about 140K on her it's time to see what I can do. I would rather do the work myself if I can. I'm handy with tools, engine and rear end work and built up my rock crawler, forever breaking and replacing that puppy. Besides I'm kind of attached to her... Probably cheaper to buy one already done but how much fun is that! I'll take it in stages, get it starting and running good, then determine if the IP and injectors are any good or not or just need some adjustment and go from there. What do you guys use to time the IP? On the 7.3 do you sense with a pulse or luminosity probe?

 

Actually when the Dodge is in the rear view mirror, I turn the smoke on.
If he has his headlights on, I may be able to see them faintly.

Motor is running great, MPG is going up, power is going up.
I have almost 9,000 miles on it, I think the rings are seating better now.
I just cranked the timing a little more tonight when I got home, seems to run much easier now.
I can see a custom build IP from Ken in my future, the 94 turbo IP is maxed out now and I need more fuel. Actually I can only get black smoke when I nail the throttle at low RPM.
Once the turbo spools up it is all gone.

Why do I do what I do with my truck?
It was a smart financial decision.
I just added my latest fuel reciepts into my worksheet last night.
With the miles I have run this year so far, and adding the cost of the engine rebuild into my operating expenses I am already under 80 cents per mile.
The fuel I have burned and a 500 dollar truck payment for 11 months works out to 85 cents per mile, plus I also have to figure in insurance, tires, oil changes and taxes.
Spending the money for the rebuild was money well spent, I am already several thousand dollars to the good because of it.
I have no use for a shiny new truck that I am not going to want to haul things scratching the bed up with, go driving around in several feet of mud or get in with muddy boots and pants.

Some people play in the mud, I work there.
Every jobsite we have has had at least 6" of mud on it for the last three weeks, most of them have had more for longer, it will only get worse till it freezes from now till next April or May.



Would you take a 50,000 dollar new truck through that? I think not.
I stopped to shovel the mud down in front of the passenger side mirror so I did not tear it off when I took that picture. As you can see, that picture was taken on September 17 which is before our rainy season even starts.