need some more hp for the old 7.3 idi!
 

I just traded my vw car for a 1990 7.3 idi! From what I've discovered so far mods are hard to come by for this truck. I'm looking for a low budget power boost without turning to a turbo kit just yet. I'm new to diesel so i'm kind of in the dark when it comes to mods. I was thinking maybe intake and exhaust? it has a stock intake on it and the kid who had it put a 6 inch stack on it??? shouldnt it need a little more back pressure? anyways other than the stack it has new oem starter, glow plugs, injectors, fuel pump and thats about it...its only got a 110k on it so I hope to get a lot of life out of it! Let me know what you think!!!!!!!

Intake and exhaust won't make any more power, your engine is mechanical so it won't know there is any difference in airflow. Fuel is what controls power.

Ok any suggestions? i'm guessing aftermarket injectors and pump then?

turn the pump up to flats, and absolutly put an BHAF of some sorts and exhaust on it arround (4 inch when they merge. 2.5 or so at the manifolds). you dont have forced air to cool things down so your engine needs to breathe as much as possible. might look into a small water meth set-up but you wont gain from it like the turbo engines do.

Ok thanks! what about taking a turbo off of a first gen(like a 94) and putting it on mine? how much work would that take? I know someone who owns a junk yard and has a few connections so i could probably get get one for cheap...

i dont know the deminsions of the factory turbos for the 7.3's however to me it would be presumable larger than an hx35 7.3 vs 5.9 youve got a little more engine. you should look for a wrecked turboes IDI and steal its parts. then look into what turbo you want to run. but your engine cant eat much more than 14psi.

ok so the factory turbo off of a 94 7.3 idi would probably work then? I think I can get one of those for about 100 bucks... whats the installation like on that? and will i need to pull anything off besides the turbo i.e. hoses, wires, etc...

you will need the manifolds. take everything from the manifolds to the intake.

ok thanks for your help!

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oh also, what kind of guages will i need to regulate once i started putting work in this truck? I know an egt is essential but are there any others that are going to help me monitor temps in the tranny and what not?

i dont bother with tranny gauges unless i am pullin -ALOT- all the time. a boost gauge an EGT (pyro) and a fuel pressure gauge are all pretty essential with turned up trucks

thank you sir! you've given me hell of a good place to start!:rocking:

no problem let us know if you run into anything else

any lift suggestions? I want about 2 to 4 inches of lift, cost effective of course!:tu:

ide have to eye your truck but body lifts are always the cheapest at around $100

a 2 inch body lift will help with putting the turbo on.


and as for he turbo kit, MANIFOLDS ARE NOT NEEDED! intake or exhaust.

Body lifts are gross, if your Gunna do it save up and spend money on 4" lift kit

X2 on the body lift, makes everything so easy. When i had my 6.9 a minor timing bump really helped out, and a 4k governor spring out of a GM 6.2, factory is ballanced for 4500 and some bus aplications run north of 4k. Also, while pulling, if it gets hot, drop down a gear, the idi's love rpms. It will keep it cooler running tight to the limiter than trying to lug it around.

im really not happy with my banks kit any other substitutes I might be able to use

Get the turbo first along with gauges to make sure you don't melt stuff do a good search for R&D IDI PERFORMANCE. thier injectors and pumps are very high quality and fair price. Get the sticks and the 90cc pump. Then if you have a couple hundred left go to coolingmist.com and get a meth kit. Way cheaper and better than snow performance. Those mods will blow you mind all for around 1200 bucks. Good luck sir

P.S. head studs(ARP) are always a good idea only 200ish more