1989 7.3 IDI Turbo or not.
 

Hello All - I was wondering my 89 7.3 would be a good candidate for a turbo. It has 120k miles on it and has 400 psi pressure across the board (+/- 5 psi). I know there are lots of kits out there and from reading on here I would probably go with a hypermax or ATS, most likey hypermax since there price seems better.

I have heard that the turbo will DRASTICALLY shorten the life of the motor, was told I would be lucky to get another 50-60k miles. Most if this is due to the poor piston rings in these engines.

I tow 7000lbs regularly and I have now moved from sea level to an area where I'll be 4000 ft to 6500 ft above sea level and the truck is a real dog now. I need more power but cant justify spending 10k plus on a power stroke that I cant really work on myself. I dont mind spending 2500-3000 to get the power I want. Plus I am the 2nd owner of this rig and I know the original owner, so I am comforatble with it.

Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks

It won't "kill" the engine but remember when you do put more air in and match the fuel to the higher volumn of air you will have more cylinder pressure. It will put more pressure on parts but that doesn't mean it will kill it. A motor in good shape will be fine.

Personally, I think a turbo diesel will outlast a N/A if both engines are the same, and put to the same work.

N/A diesels tend to run higher EGTs as they start to work harder since they run out of air. The same is true for turbo diesels, but since the engine is burning the fuel more efficiently, less fuel is needed for the same amount of work done, this in turn reduces thermal loading.

Now if you max out the fuel screw and squeeze the carpet under the pedal all the time, you are asking for trouble.

Haven't heard of one guy so far that regreted putting a turbo on his IDI diesel, mine had about 250K on it when I scored a turbo for cheap.

Mine has rubber mats instead of carpet, I cut the mat out from under the loud pedal so it would go down farther.

I STAND CORRECTED!!! :-fire

LOL, Does that answer your question, bshep?

Thanks guys!!!! I didnt think it owuld hurt it but again I figured I would check with the experts on this one. I am going to order a turbo for Christmas, just have to sell it to the wife :-D

I have 4.10's and a C6 so I think i am going to change the gears out to 355/354 which ever one if for a 10.25 Sterling. Should help alot with MPG's which are currently 10 towing 6000lbs at no more than 55 mph. I attribute a bit of that to the fact i was at 6400ft.

I will let you know when I get the turbo on.

Thanks again