[Zacharynels]

Hey everyone it's me again. Finally got time to post about the new 1989 Ford F250 xlt Lariat 4x4 7.3I extended cab dual tanks. Anyway here is a little about it. As I said its the 7.3 4x4 F250... Geared for towing, C 6 transmission and transmission cooler. Newer shocks. 16.5x8x8 lug Rims. Front Locking Hubs. Coupled with 33x16.5x12.5 Bajas. And, of course two front captain seats.

Anyway, I am new to the diesel world and am in need of some advice...
I am looking for a little more horse power. Right now I have about $620.00 dollars to spend on mods/upgrades. I will be getting probably another $200 extra within the month. I am wondering what everyone thinks I should get. Want more power that is worth the money. I also want sound. More horse power that will help mileage at the same time. What things should I get first and what things should I wait to add on later. What is easy to install and what I'll need an expert to install. And, about how much it would be.
If anyone could help me It would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you.
Zach

p.s. I'll try and get a picture or two up. Awesome paint that's like 3-4 years old. Brown w/Thick stripe Tan.

 

[1dieselman]

The absolute best mod IMO is to turbocharge. You can find used kits for around $500 on ebay and craiglist. If you don't want to turbo then larger exhaust from manifolds back, get a pyrometer, turn up and advance the IP, ram air intake, maybe headers but they cost as much as a used turbo.

 

[chuckster57]

The absolute best mod IMO is to turbocharge. You can find used kits for around $500 on ebay and craiglist. If you don't want to turbo then larger exhaust from manifolds back, get a pyrometer, turn up and advance the IP, ram air intake, maybe headers but they cost as much as a used turbo.

I second that...Turbo will wake it up. Banks has the sidewinder, but depending on who you ask they are not going to support it any more. ATS makes a turbo system and Hypermax makes one also. If I remeber right the Hypermax is NON wastegated and the ATS is. Someone with the specifics of each can explain better the advantages/disadvantages of each. Before you start turning up the fuel you NEED A PYROMETER. That way you won't overheat the insides and suffer a meltdown. Any thing that will help it breathe will help, bigger intake for a bigger gulp of air and a bigger exhaust for all that stuff to get out. Back pressure is not needed with diesels. With a C6 tranny your mileage will not change much but can be controlled by your right foot. a gearvendors overdrive unit would help but that's probably out of the equation for now ($$).

 

[Zacharynels]

The absolute best mod IMO is to turbocharge. You can find used kits for around $500 on ebay and craiglist. If you don't want to turbo then larger exhaust from manifolds back, get a pyrometer, turn up and advance the IP, ram air intake, maybe headers but they cost as much as a used turbo.

How much of a difference will a turbo actually make?
Would I be able to install it myself?
I don't want to mess with the IP and Advance because I am not familiar with those at all. And, does anyone have a used pyrometer and all the parts for it they would sell me v.i.a. paypal.
Or is there anything better/cheaper than this gauge.
<a href="">Ebay Pyrometer</a>

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-WHITE-7-COLOR-LED-1500-F-PYROMETER-DIESEL-GAUGE-KIT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem260367227537QQitemZ260367227537QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories">Ebay Pyrometer</a>

 

[chuckster57]

How much of a difference will a turbo actually make?
Would I be able to install it myself?
I don't want to mess with the IP and Advance because I am not familiar with those at all. And, does anyone have a used pyrometer and all the parts for it they would sell me v.i.a. paypal.
Or is there anything better/cheaper than this gauge.
<a href="">Ebay Pyrometer</a>

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-WHITE-7-COLOR-LED-1500-F-PYROMETER-DIESEL-GAUGE-KIT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem260367227537QQitemZ260367227537QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories">Ebay Pyrometer</a>

A turbo will make a big difference. I "lost" all my boost on a camping trip while pulling my 9K lb. 5er up the hill in Sonora Ca. I found my wastegate actuator rod came off. I did the same hill this last weekend and I was able to pull it with about 1/2 the pedal and my EGT's were a LOT lower. As far as playing with the fuel and timing there are articles available if you decide to do it, timing involves the use of special equipment to do it right. If you buy a new turbo system it will come with installation instructions and if you are mechanicaly inclined at all it is not a difficult task. The link for the pyrometer doesn't work. there are lots of brands and styles. I use autometer full sweep electric. If you go to the autometer site you can browse all the different styles.

 

[Zacharynels]

A turbo will make a big difference. I "lost" all my boost on a camping trip while pulling my 9K lb. 5er up the hill in Sonora Ca. I found my wastegate actuator rod came off. I did the same hill this last weekend and I was able to pull it with about 1/2 the pedal and my EGT's were a LOT lower. As far as playing with the fuel and timing there are articles available if you decide to do it, timing involves the use of special equipment to do it right. If you buy a new turbo system it will come with installation instructions and if you are mechanicaly inclined at all it is not a difficult task. The link for the pyrometer doesn't work. there are lots of brands and styles. I use autometer full sweep electric. If you go to the autometer site you can browse all the different styles.

What is the cheapest turbo I should get and if anyone has used gauges or turbos or anything that I can use on my 1989 f250 7.3 PLEASE let me know on here or PM me. Will pay instantly with paypal.
Here is the item number on ebay if you would look at it I would really appreciate it. eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices Item number - 260367227537

 

[chuckster57]

The glow shift gauge is good. How do you intend on mounting the gauge? and are you planning on getting other gauges? A-pillar pods are popular and as long as the gauge is the right diameter it will fit. I used all autometer. IIRC ASAUER had mentioned he was wanting to get rid of his turbo system. You could PM him and see if thats still the case.

 

[Zacharynels]

The glow shift gauge is good. How do you intend on mounting the gauge? and are you planning on getting other gauges? A-pillar pods are popular and as long as the gauge is the right diameter it will fit. I used all autometer. IIRC ASAUER had mentioned he was wanting to get rid of his turbo system. You could PM him and see if thats still the case.

The one I was looking at had mounting hardware, and for the time being it will probably just be mounted under the dash. When I get more gauges they will go in the pillar mount. And, I tried PMing that name and it didn't work.

 

[chuckster57]

Diesel Forum - The Diesel Stop.com - View Profile: asauer

This link should get you to his profile page. then you should be able to PM him.

 

[Zacharynels]

Diesel Forum - The Diesel Stop.com - View Profile: asauer

This link should get you to his profile page. then you should be able to PM him.

Thanks man. I appreciate it a lot.

 

[Zacharynels]

Having trouble finding exhaust...

Does anyone have a good link for exhaust for 1989 f250 7.3 idi non-turbo?

 

[trugertha]

i do believe banks has a 3" kit fro 88-91

 

[Zacharynels]

i do believe banks has a 3" kit fro 88-91

Yeah they do, I think. It is just MUCH more than I want to pay for 3" exhaust. I am probably going to buy a used bank turbo system from a guy off this forum. But, the exhaust from his isn't even worth the shipping price... So I'm still on the hunt for 4". for 350 or around there, hopefully less.

 

[1dieselman]

Just look for a 94-97 powerstroke 4" exhaust system minus the downpipe. The IDI turbo downpipe or non turbo duals with a Y connector can be hooked in pretty easily. Ebay usually has systems for a reasonable price.

 

[Zacharynels]

Just look for a 94-97 powerstroke 4" exhaust system minus the downpipe. The IDI turbo downpipe or non turbo duals with a Y connector can be hooked in pretty easily. Ebay usually has systems for a reasonable price.

Everything for 94-97 on ebay is about 450-730$
Unless I am just not searching correctly. That is a little out of my price range, I thought for sure there would be something cheaper than that.

 

[chuckster57]

If you do get the turbo and it comes with a down pipe then do what I did and make your own. Mine costs about $150 including the new muffler, 3" pipe and the shop making the exhaust from the muffler back. You can allways just do a turn down from the muffler and save that expense. I wanted a "stock" look so I paid for the shop to mandrel bend the pipe over the rear axle and exit behind the wheels.

 

[Zacharynels]

If you do get the turbo and it comes with a down pipe then do what I did and make your own. Mine costs about $150 including the new muffler, 3" pipe and the shop making the exhaust from the muffler back. You can allways just do a turn down from the muffler and save that expense. I wanted a "stock" look so I paid for the shop to mandrel bend the pipe over the rear axle and exit behind the wheels.

So how much do you think a shop would charge for 4" pipe just to fit into place? I don't care where it ends or comes out.

 

[1987IDI]

Some of the shops around where i live won't even do 4". I tried to get a 3" on my dodge and had problems with price. You could get lucky if you find the right shop.

I'm personally trying to save up for headers and full 3" exhaust, turbos are a little too much hassle for me. Not that they aren't amazing for making power and helping fuel mileage, but I've never messed with them and could be perfectly happy doing a set of headers on my own.

 

[chuckster57]

So how much do you think a shop would charge for 4" pipe just to fit into place? I don't care where it ends or comes out.

You got me there. When I did my turbo upgrade I talked to the guys at ATS and they told me that 3" exhaust was big enough to do the job. I didn't bother to look for any thing bigger.

 

[chuckster57]

Some of the shops around where i live won't even do 4". I tried to get a 3" on my dodge and had problems with price. You could get lucky if you find the right shop.

I'm personally trying to save up for headers and full 3" exhaust, turbos are a little too much hassle for me. Not that they aren't amazing for making power and helping fuel mileage, but I've never messed with them and could be perfectly happy doing a set of headers on my own.

Yeah I did get lucky. the shop owner was retiring after 45 yrs. and he was trying to talk his son into working where I was at the time (state Service), We talked and the more we did the lower the price got. He even flared the stick of pipe before I started so that it would fit over the DP and I could drive back to his shop legal. I welded the exhaust to the muffler and the shop finished it for me.