Does it do any good to install a new waste gate like BD's or Banks. I talked w a guy from Banks once and he said the stock unit doesnt allow for enough boost. I have an AFE stage II. 4" turbo back. 4 position chip dont know brand name.

Also is the stock turbo on an 03 7.3l a garret. I just saw that on the turbo housing and was wondering.

 

Waste gate or EBPV?

 

He's talking about the wastegate actuator, Jim. And you don't need the $200 Banks thing ("Big Head"?). You can tighten the stock one so it NEVER opens. I simply unplugged mine, and it seemed to hold pretty good. I think it was pushing open under heavy boost though. The thing is, I knew I was dumping the wastegate when I went with the van turbo, so it wasn't a big issue for me. If I knew I was keeping the stocker, I might be compelled to tighten it. HOWEVER, know that the stock turbo starts to superheat the air at 25psi, so even if you can get more boost than that, it's not really helping much. Mine with the WW and unplugged wastegate actuator, would top out around 27psi. Which was good enough for me. Now, with the van turbo with no wastegate and the ATS compressor housing, I'm getting 30psi. With larger injectors, I hope to be running 35ish, and close to 400 RWHP...

 

OK Joe, I kinda thought that but wasn't sure so I left it as it was.

 

Hey thanks. I dont have a boost gauge yet and dont plan on any injectors any time soon so I dont see a need for that much boost. I was just told that the stocker opened up too early. When I get some gauges I may tighten mine and see what my boost and egts end up at.
Did you have any info on the stock turbo being a Garrett??

 

I have also been wondering what the van turbo is that everyone is talking about. Sorry as you can tell I am new. I have had my PS since last April and continue to learn every day.

 

Yes, the stock turbo is a Garret, model GTP38.

The van turbo is just that, it comes off the Ford Econoline vans with the 7.3L PSD. Under the hood of a van, there is not enough room for an intercooler like what is found on our trucks. Because there is no intercooler, a turbo with a larger turbine housing is installed. Intercoolers create extra turbo lag, which is why the trucks have a smaller turbine housing on the turbo: to decrease lag and increase spoolup. Without an intercooler, there is less noticeable effects of turbo lag. However, EGT's typically rise higher and quicker. So by having a larger turbine housing, you get less exhaust backpressure, lower EGT's, and the turbo lag isn't as apparent without the intercooler.

On our trucks, when adding a chip or tuner, you can easily reach the upper limits of the stock turbo. At this point, a turbo upgrade can benefit performance a bit, and is required if you plan to upgrade injectors for even more power. The very first step in upgrading over the stock turbo is the van turbo. It's the cheapest full swap turbo option out there, and it has time and time again been shown to handle 5-10 psi more boost reliably than the stock turbo. Because of it's price, it's a popular option for those running stock injectors, or even Stage I's or Stage II's. You can experience a slight bit of additional lag on the bottom end with stock injectors, and altitude does make it worse. However, for most people it doesn't bother them too much.

Some of the same effects can be created by modifying the stock turbo. There are larger exhaust housing available for it that you can upgrade to run similar to the van turbo. However, some people have found such killer deals on the van turbos, that it often comes out cheaper than modifying the stock one.

 

Thanks Curtis!! So in my case not wanting to do injectors any time soon and dont want any more lag than I already have, I should just switch to the DP Tuner and get a Wicked Wheel. I have an AFE II and 4" turbo back. Oh yeah.. I still need gauges.

 

That's pretty much what the majority of people do.

 

Thanks Curtis reps comin