I have an 87 f-250 6.9 and just bought a new travel trailer. While towing, power really drops off on hills. Can anyone out there give me a few ideas to increase power?? Truck is stock with 90k miles..

 

turbo. thats about the only thing that you are going to notice a difference.

 

opened up exhaust helps some too.nothing like a turbo would of course,but it all adds up.
when towing,you want to downshift pre-hill so the engine revs up good around 3k rpm.thats where's the IDI's peak HP is.
we only have like 110-140 rw hp (non turbo),so to make it count,you need to hit it's peak to get all of it.don't worry,you won't hurt it,that's where it's made to rev for max hp.that makes a big difference to keep your momentum hold longer.
that's what i do when im loaded up good and hauling the chipper.dont be afraid of it.make her talk to ya and as soon as possible,put the peddle to the metal and hold her there.she'll climb.
i work mainly where the speed limit is 45 max,so iv no issues at all.realistically,iv no need for a turbo,but i may do it someday just for kicks lol.i can pretty much speed at any time if i wanted,if i hold her to the floor,she keeps gaining eventually even,and i could get a ticket np in short order with a load on.iv no need to be in such a hurry,heck with a good size bed like iv got now,i drive slower now,as im getting so much more done per trip.
i guess it helps coming out of a half ton with 300/6.
to me,the n/a IDI is heaven.
if where hauling serious trailers/equipment for a living,my first mod would be the cummins swap (im sorry IDI fans! really i am!)



dyno runs from OBN:

Non turbo results

John Herbert 143.9 261.3
Marnin Gehman 137.4 257.1
Heath Sutton 123.2 218.7
Matthias Agne 108.8 229.1

Turbo results

Heath Sutton- DPS inj 185.1 404.0
Heath Sutton MM's 178.7 387.9
Joe Perry 172.5 313.6
Suzi Agne 151.9 284.2
Steve Reitner 150.0 300.3
Chris Barber 148.7 278.8
Jared Whitmer 136.0 304.1

there is also a custom cam available along with a moose pump,and new matched injectors.-just search to find more.

 

As much as I hate turbos, that's really the only thing you can do to these old diesels to make 'em go.

 

First of all, excellent truck you have. 1987 is a great year and like the low miles. Perfect candidate for a turbocahrger.

Larger exhaust will help, but a turbocharger makes it feel like a whole different machine.

Do you know if the head gaskets have ever been replaced?

.......and welcome to OBN!

 

David means welcome to FTE.

 

Correct, I guess it had to happen sooner or later