I have to do gaskets/studs on my 06' truck. Going to delete the EGR while Im doing it. I want more power. What would be a good upgrade? I am almost sure the turbo vanes are stuck as it has been having some very high boost readings..... Is there an "affordable" turbo upgrade? Meaning something that doesnt cost 3k+ Same for injectors; is there an "affordable" injector upgrade?

The truck is going to be daily driven, tow a 10k box trailer a couple weekends a month. Maybe some drag racing.

Also; looking for suggestions on the gaskets/studs. I was planning stock Ford gaskets and ARP studs.

 

I second all of that except the turbo. Have you had it hooked to IDS. The ford techs can run a test on the turbo and maybe see if the VGT actuator is the problem and not the turbo. Also I did the egr cooler delete. I have a post on here somewhere about it. If you are doing your own head gaskets then the delete would be a walk in the park for u. Make sure you cut the scoop out of the up pipe. Gave me more power. I did mine and I only spent 200.00 total. I even resealed the oil cooler. The oil and coolant was not contaminated and I figured if I have a problem then I would just take it off when It is needed and replace. The more we can keep these trucks out of fords hands for moderate repairs then the more money we have for the major ones.. Also there is talk in the diesel shops about a oil cooler bypass. They run the oil through a makeshift tranny cooler at the radiator and just cycle the coolant through to complete the cycle. I was trying to figure out how to do it when I had the oil cooler in my lap but the oil filter extremely complicates the setup. If you get any Ideas then I am all ears. The ford service manuals that are on ebay(dvd roms) are a great investment. Between that and the 6.0 bible there are diagrams that show the flow of everything so I belive it can be done. I just think there would need to be some hard parts machined to get it done.

 

There really isn't an affordable turbo upgrade other then a turbo upgrade in of itself to a non vgt turbo. You can change some various parts within the turbo, but the best thing to do is a new turbo period(I believe, but that's just my opinion). As far as injector upgrade, ITP's Fuel Regulated Return would be the most beneficial and less costly then doing aftermarket injectors, however if you really want more power a matched aftermarket pairing of Turbo and Injectors with custom tuning will get you a lot more power(but it will cost) then just tuning alone. Arp studs with Ford gaskets are sufficient unless your going to do an all out racing engine. FASS system would also be recommended since your going to be demanding more fuel pressure with the ITP kit in order to do away with the dead-heading on the injectors(rather aftermarket or stock). Fluidampner might also help as well.

 

More info on the fuel regulated return?

 

It increase fuel pressure in order to keep your injectors from being starved of fuel(which is where the dead-heading in these truck's injectors comes from).

 

Your truck quiet down/idle better with the fuel system and fluid damper?

I might do about what you have done for now then upgrade the turbo/injectors/tuning later in the year once I get over the cost of the repair and such.

 

Well, to me it seems like I hear the injectors a little more when coasting, but once you get to idle it's alright, although I never really had a problem with how it idled in the first place. It does definately handle better and smoother then it did before and with the injectors and more fuel pressure it really puts it down on the road when I'm running the race tune. If your going to do the turbo, and injectors I would suggest you look into a Fass system(the one that I have in my siggy ought to due you alright, unless your running some pretty extreme injectors and turbos, I just have stage 1 towing injectors and planning on a 62 mm turbo so nothing too off the wall I still have to be able to tow the horses).