I have a 1993 7.3 idi that I bought last year and I'm looking to add an oem turbo to help with towing. The truck currently has 213,000 miles on it and I'm concerned that putting a turbo on it this late in the game may harm the motor unless I do some work to it. Any thoughts and advice on the matter? I really like the truck and would like to keep it but, I'm considering the option of selling it and buying a truck that is already set up with a turbo.

 

John, you can probably find a used turbo for your IDI if you look long enough. It seems most folks mention that head studs are a good idea for a turbo IDI. Also, don't forget about installing a pyrometer if your truck doesn't already have one.

If you sell your IDI for a turbo diesel truck which one would you consdier? I ask because I ended up with an IDI because I was unwilling to pay an arm and a leg for a low mileage/good condition 7.3l PSD. I could have afforded a 6.0l PSD, but I didn't want to take a chance on that motor. The 6.4l PSD and 6.7l PSD are still pretty expensive. I know hardly anything about Duramax or Cummins trucks. Besides, who wants one?

 

You should feel confident about putting a turbo on your engine.It's not going to harm it at all.That's not very high miles like say it would be on a gas engine.These engines were designed to last 300-350k miles and often go for much longer when properly cared for.
There's no need for head studs because the turbo kits don't put out the kind of boost.The only time you would need studs is when your going to go with a larger turbo but if your doing that,then you need to reman the engine and lower it's base compression anyway,then your really getting into it (likely far beyond the trucks value in most cases.Not that,there's anything wrong with it,if that's what your into.Have a good time) but for the average turbo kit,just bolt one on and run 'er.Just 5-10lbs of boost from a bolt on turbo kit,totally transforms these trucks.Doesn't make them compare to modern diesels of course but leaps above N/A.

the installation of the 2nd generation banks turbo sidewinder kit (w/instructions & detailed pics)

 

Thanks for the advice guys! From everything I've read about this motor I felt pretty confident about adding a turbo but, in talking to a friend of mine who used to own an antique car restoration business he suggested I ask around about it before I have any work done. This is my first diesel so, I'm still getting educated. The durability of the motor is what made me buy the truck to begin with and since they started putting the factory turbo on later in the same year I figured it was a safe bet. Most of what I researched about the motor said with proper maintenance this motor could easily see 400k +.
Olds64 - to answer your question, I have found a few 2000-2001 F250 7.3L PSDs for sale around $11,500 with about 150k miles. I think that's a fair price but, as you said, that's more than I would like to spend. I found an oem turbo on Rockauto for just over $400 but, that was only the turbo nothing else. Someone else suggested pulling one off of a junked truck but, my concern with doing that is that availability and how long it may take me to find one and that I don't know what all I need to get off of the truck and any junk yard sales are non refundable. I need to look up a parts list and go from there.
FordF250HDXLT - Thanks for the link to Banks. I looked into their kit last year after I bought the truck but, it's running about $3000 and a bit more than I was looking to invest. They are pretty impressive though! Sure would bring some life to the truck and would probably exceed my expectations from everything I read about them!

 

Yeah,I bought both of my kits used (around half price each). That's just one write up.There are others here too,for whatever kit you happen to find.I'm kinda surprised banks doesn't sell the kits for around $1500 these days,considering these trucks are so old now.Who knows what kind of markup they have on 'em though.At some point,they're gunna have to realize folks wont be willing to spend more on a turbo kit than they payed for their truck.

 

Yeah i'd agree with you there! I just checked on their website again and they're on sale for $2988 down from $3300. Like you said that's half of what I paid for the truck. Where did you find your used kits? ebay?

 

I got my first kit here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/market/

 

Here's a good website to use to search for junkyard parts. I found my used turbo and 7.3l using their search engine.

http://www.car-part.com/

 

Thanks for the link I'll look into that!

 

Car part dot com is pretty amazing. I found a used gearvender there, plus all sorts of great parts. If only more yards listed their salvage there.