Turbo on an old engine
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
That is a hard question with out some more info.
I would say a 7.3 with 177,000 miles you are good to go up to about 15 pounds boost, which you will not get that amount of boost without some fuel, air and exhaust mods.
Mostly we need to know the weight and size of right foot. lol
I would say a 7.3 with 177,000 miles you are good to go up to about 15 pounds boost, which you will not get that amount of boost without some fuel, air and exhaust mods.
Mostly we need to know the weight and size of right foot. lol
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
The turbo will add some oomph especially at higher rpm's and higher elevations is where they shine. I only have one with a turbo and it seems like I lost a little power at low rpms but once the turbo spools it makes a substancial difference same thing in the mountains where the air is thin.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
Rusty if your IP and injectors are original and very possible at 177,000 miles you may be loosing some performance there.
Also on an NA changing the stock exhaust to true duals, cutting out the soupbowl and keeping the cold air intake or even modifying it makes for a whole different animal.
Warning on a NA straight piped duals sound very cool at low rpm's but at a certain rpm or pulling a load you will need earplugs and your neighbors will not be nearly as friendly.
You need some good quality freeflowing mufflers designed for diesel.
Also on an NA changing the stock exhaust to true duals, cutting out the soupbowl and keeping the cold air intake or even modifying it makes for a whole different animal.
Warning on a NA straight piped duals sound very cool at low rpm's but at a certain rpm or pulling a load you will need earplugs and your neighbors will not be nearly as friendly.
You need some good quality freeflowing mufflers designed for diesel.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
It sound pretty cool, but waaaayyy too loud to drive.My truck is an '88 NA with 191K on it, mostly original parts, its getting a turbo sometime in the next two weeks (I'm hoping for a few warm enough days over Christmas vacation, right now I'm freezing my *** off just driving to work, no way I'll wrench in this weather!). Its also going to get an exhaust upgrade if I can get the 3.5inch one off a powerstroke to work. Craigslist buy for like $40 for a decent muffler, tailpipe and a few other bits, plus a few bits from summit and a new(ish) exhaust for ~$100
I seriously wondering if I should do the injectors while I'm at it, definitely doing the return lines. But with the money I couldn't afford to spend on the turbo.. I really can't pay anything more for injectors
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 3
From: Campbell River, B.C.
10 PSI is usually where you get the optimum the power anyway. Higher boost without intercooling doesn't make much more power and EGTs start to climb. 5-10 PSI is where the engine is usually the happiest and EGTs will stay consistent and reasonable as long as your fuel settings are not too high.
Even 5 psi will make a night and day difference in power.
You could be safe at 15 PSI but IMO, its not worth it in terms of performance. In theory, there shouldn't be any reliability issues, but that assumes a near perfect engine.
Not trying to tell you what to do, but you should not feel like you need over 10 PSI to make the turbo worth while.
Even 5 psi will make a night and day difference in power.
You could be safe at 15 PSI but IMO, its not worth it in terms of performance. In theory, there shouldn't be any reliability issues, but that assumes a near perfect engine.
Not trying to tell you what to do, but you should not feel like you need over 10 PSI to make the turbo worth while.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
With the colder temps we have now, I really like my high boost.
Snowing like a mad man out there right now, so I am going to have to hit the sack soon.
I forsee a long day starting in a couple hours.
Snowing like a mad man out there right now, so I am going to have to hit the sack soon.
I forsee a long day starting in a couple hours.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 3
From: Campbell River, B.C.
However his engine is probably farther from stock than any 6.9 still killing out there.
Have fun, Dave. I'm missing the snow and diesel fumes but only another month to go....
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 3
From: Campbell River, B.C.
I'm starting to visualize a remake the the movie "Duel", but instead of a valiant running from a tanker truck, its a pruis running from a smokin' IDI with a blade on the front.
Come to think of it, Dave was a rig driver so he could fit the role of predator rather well.
We'll have the chase in the snow this time instead of the dessert.
(priuses suck in the snow because they are heavy and run on hard tires meant for MPGs)
Come to think of it, Dave was a rig driver so he could fit the role of predator rather well.
We'll have the chase in the snow this time instead of the dessert.
(priuses suck in the snow because they are heavy and run on hard tires meant for MPGs)