Poor performance with IDI turbo... upgrade the air filter/intake first? - Diesel Forum

jgibbens · 05-26-2005, 11:08 AM

I'd like to get better performance out of our IDI turbo. It looks like these engines could use a less restrictive air intake.. Thinking of replacing the paper filter with a K&N. Is it worth the extra $$ to go with the K&N intake upgrade or should I go with the replacement pannel filter?

jminix · 05-26-2005, 01:19 PM

I would recomend doing the ATS turbo housing/downpipe upgrade. The factory turbo has a 2.25" turbo housing, which is too small, the upgrade kit is 3".

btw - ATS designed the turbo on the Factory Turbo IDI's and then Ford screwed it up with the small turbo housing and downpipe.

With the ATS upgrade you can turn the boost and fuel up, but keep an eye on the EGTs (you should have a pyro before trying anything).

I don't know if a K&N filter would do much good. Personally, I don't trust them to filter or repel water as well as the oem filter.

A larger intake hose to the air box would be usefull though. This would require fabrication as there are no aftermarket options that I know of.

good luck

beretzs · 05-26-2005, 03:52 PM

You can build your own intake, just use some aluminum pipe and a good Donaldson or K&N filter. Shouldn't cost more than a 100 bucks total. Now if you still have the stock ATS/Ford Trubo, the ATS upgrade is supposed to be a real kick in the pants for the trucks, larger DP, and exhaust side. It is a little spendy, but to really unleash the power, the upgrade will really wake up the truck and let you start putting the fuel to it. Scotty

jgibbens · 05-26-2005, 05:32 PM

good Idea. Not sure where to get the AL pipe in the right size, thickness. I'd like to upgrade in stages. Were going on vacation in a few weeks, and we have to many irons in the fire to do everything at once. That and the $$ add up [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] How does air filter/intake upgrade --> add boost, egt gauges --> dp upgrade --> ?? sound?

TurboYT · 05-26-2005, 07:08 PM

Scotty,

Where did you get your aluminium pipe and filter from? I guess if I buy a filter that is big enough for the PS's, then it is big enough for our trucks.

351M · 05-26-2005, 07:49 PM

You could go to a shop that does mandrel bent exhaust systems and have them do up an intake system out of stainless.

beretzs · 05-26-2005, 09:15 PM

NAPA is a good source for piping and filters, IF you have one local. An upgraded intake, exhaust and DP will lower EGT's, allow you to burn more fuel, ie allowing you to put more fuel into the mix. The sound, well, that depends on the muffler if you even run one, what size pipes your using. But overall, improving your intake and exhaust (downpipe) will provide alot of benefits. Scotty

icanfixall · 05-26-2005, 11:43 PM

Do the down pipe and turbo housing first.... Right after you install the pyro... Otherwise , if you do the upgrades and not the pyro you will probably spit aluminum out the turbo. You really need to know how hot the exhaust gas is.

94_turbo · 05-27-2005, 09:55 PM

and i repeat---NOOoooo K&N--unless you want to dust your engine--i speak from experience--in spite of all the threads i read in the past about a K&N--DONT DO IT--just use a good stock filter--get the ats upgrades first-pipe, larger hsg,larger down casting--put in a pyro-unless like they said you want new pistons!!!!! then turn up pump--and boost to no more than 12--and youll think you have a new truck!!!!!

Silver_Wolf2 · 06-27-2005, 02:31 PM

Go to Freightliner. They have prebent pieces for the rigs that bold right on, and you can build your own configuration with different bends and pipes. They come in all sizes, and they have filter boxes that the rigs also us(HUGE FILTERS) and they bolt right on too. Go there and tell them what your plan is, and they will help size it up and set you up. My air cleaner is 2 feet long and a foot across. Barely fits under the hood, but looks great with the aluminum pipes. Real pro job, and there is vertually no resistance due to the size of everthing. The filters are about 40 bucks, but they last about 15000km! Good luck.

deanj · 06-27-2005, 02:55 PM

The intake mods without the exhaust will not really do much. The ATS housing, down pipe and complete exhaust will run around $550, you could save a little by buying the out let housing and down pipe then having your local muffler shop do the rest. I have 2 94,s and the exhaust mod gives you a different truck. Put in good guages, pyro, boost, trans temp (if auto), oil press and coolant temp. On the drivers side of the rad you can take out the support and modify to get 4 inch tube thru', route that to a 'snorkel' attatched to the grill support.

jlmendoza · 06-27-2005, 05:42 PM

Guys, I guess I have been un naturally lucky, but, my old truck is pushing about 600K miles 400K with a K&N filter, & I have driven a lot in dirty nasty sandy conditions on the ranches where our animals are, & also during the october '03 cedars fire in San Diego, along with every thing else that happened/burned, I didn't think to check the air filters on either of our vehicles for at least 6 months. They mentioned it on several local news programs that the ash particulates/fines were causing many people problems. I shook out the K&N washed & reoiled and the truck started easier & quieter again. Shook out wife's car air (stock type)filter then decided to go ahead & replace it, as it had been in there awhile.
I used K&N since the 60's on four wheelers dune buggies off road & street bikes, baja bus etc. with out problems that could be attributed to the K&N, however, your filter housings, gaskets etc., need to work and seal well.
Just my 2¢ (not trying to start a 'Urinary Olympics' [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

jerry (& his 'lil ol' truck that could) & I hope she keeps it up))