I'm sure everyone has gone through this, now its my turn.

I have a 1992 F-350 4X4 crew cab. My only mods are a 4 inch exhaust.

I'll be using it to tow my boat with my camper.

I have the opportunity to sell this and buy a newer 96-97 crew cab, is there any real noticable difference in the small horsepower gain you get with the turbo?

If we're talking 185 to 210, is that really that big of a real world difference?

I've yet to drive one of the newer ones, so I've got no practical experience, just the hypothetical...ones got more horsepower, so its gotta be better.

 

Hell yes! But personally I think you would be better off putting a turbo pack on the truck you have now. That way you would have the best of both worlds; you can still have the better fuel economy of the IDI 7.3l, and once turbocharged, your current truck could probably eat a stock powerstroke for breakfast.

A turbocharged 6.9l is usually worth 240+ Hp and 500f/lbs of torque, give or take. But those numbers could be higher in your case, since you have more cubes to begin with.

Did I mention I like the old IDI fords?

 

My only fear with adding the turbo is that I have 186K on the motor now.

A $2000 mod to then have my engine go t/u wouldn't make me all that happy.

 

That would put you into a Power Stroke. There's LOTS of easy power to be had with them.

If your looking to make big power, the PSD is a much better platform, than an IDI.

Of course you'll be dealing with electronics, which cost's more $$$ , and sometimes, more headaches.

Personally, I like the simplicity of the IDI. And am pretty much satisfied with both of mine.

 

Dont know if this is still available but you should take a look $950.
Cat=0&Number=3276389&an=0&page=0#Post3276389

 

186k is not old for a diesel like this, unless you see the fluids in the engine turning the wrong colors, or you see some other indication that the engine is getting tired, the engine should hold up just fine.

The powerstroke of that era is a reliable engine, but since it is a more complex engine, repairs will be more costly and involving should anything ever go wrong with it. The powerstroke is more powerful and can be easily "chiped" to get even more, but it will not be able to match the off idle low end torque of your current rig.

The main reason I don't like them is the cost of parts for them. A single reman, injector costs $300, where as you could get a new injector for a 7.3 IDI for $24-30. They are also a lot harder to work on since everything is so crammed under the hood.

 

Yeh there is a difference between 185 hp and 210 hp but the thing is hp doesn't move a load. torque does. The torque and the curve of a motor has is the only thing that really matters.

 

With Ram Air, no soup bowl, headers and 4 inch exhaust, I know from doing a poor mans dyno (1/4 mile run) that I am cranking out way more than stock HP. David85, do you know if there is a real dyno I could run my truck on over on your side of the strait, where and how much?? I belive I've gained up towards 35-40 HP with this set up, Stans Headers claims up to 55 is possible with turned up IP, but I'd really like to make fish or fowl out of these numbers!!!

 

Yep, theres one that opened up here in the north end Campbell River last year. The place is called Harpers High performance, I haven't checked them out yet, but they do advertise dyno tuning.

 

Just looked them up. Pn. 250-287-9003

In the phone book they call themselves Harpers Performance Tuning & Auto Repair.



35-40 HP without a turbo? DUDE!!


So when are you putting a turbo on?

 

I know it sounds like B.S. but I have to say my truck is WAY better power wise than when I got it, stock. I really do need to let everyone know some real measured numbers on the power output from the way its set up. Not cheap went all said and done, but not as expensive as a turbo, and no moving parts-maintenance issues. Ill give them a call next time I plan on going over your way!! Thanks

 

I would say invest in the turbo man, I just turboed my 89 7.3L and turned up the waste gate to 10 psi, you'll notice the difference trust me, i know i could eat a powerjoke for brunch and still have room for lunch, haha, but i would say put the money into these engines were built to last, Ford didn't make the mistake of putting junk under the hood back in the day.

 

Hey caterpillar, thats a good one! you mind if I steal it form you?

 

I'd love to see the dyno numbers for KJ's rig. I've read a lot of debate about headers and the IDI. The consensus has allways been that there's no way they add 55HP.

It seems that some engines just produce more power than others? I've heard peeps complain about their 6.9's being slugs. Mine gets up and goes pretty well. Feels like it would keep right up with a 460 powered truck. I'd say it's just a little slower than my turbo'd 7.3

 

Chewy, think of it this way, how much do you think your truck will sell for? then look at the PSD truck you are buying. KBB private party price for your truck is 3500(good condition) 3900(excellent). Private Party value for the 96-97 PSD is 8000-9000 bucks. You would still be spending 4500 more than what you get for your truck. With 4500, you could get the turbo, as well as new head studs and head gaskets so that you can run high boost and still have money left over. Seems to me that with the small power gain you would get by spending 4500 bucks on the psd just isnt worth the 4500 bucks out of pocket expense. Just thought Id crunch some numbers for you because I was thinking about doing the same with my truck but decided against it.