A few questions from a n0ob

[CGauthier]

Sorry if i might seem retarted, actually i am but im tryin to hide it as best i can But seriously im a little overwhelmed with some of the info from here and i'd like to get it cleared up if i could... . so here goes--



1. Turbos and turbo housings, the different sizes and wastegated, non wastegated... ok, dont no how size or wastegate (whatever that is) effects the application, i eventually want to get more power for heavy towing and that, and if possible i'd like to get better fuel economy too, which turbo and housing is best for this? Some guy i met today said his brother was getting 30 mpg with a banks turbo in a '91 but he knew nothing more than that



2. Transmissions-My uncle had to rebuild this getrag like a month after warranty, and supposedly he got an upgraded bearing package; am i still workin with a feeble transmission? Also the nv4500 seems to be the most popular replacement; is that a good towing transmission and can I get the transmission and adapter bell housing at the dealer or are they discontinued? I was at the dealer tonite and asked but tha guy couldn't tell me LOL (Noobs)



3. And last but not least, I am a little mechanically inclined and i'd like to play around and tweak this baby myself but i'm scared to touch this engine "sent by God" -- Should i be?



Sorry for bein so newbish, but these q's have been lingering in the back of my mind for quite awhile.



I tell ya, these trucks are worth every penny,since i got mine i haven't spent a dime on viagara

Top that chevy and

F ix

O r

R epair

D aily



Lol, i have an '88 7. 3 diesel in a Ford cube van E350 flatbed for work, its the first Ford I've owned and it will be the last. Sorry bout the lengthy post, guess i like to blab.



Thanx,

Carl

 

[sparks57]

Well... .



The best turbo for your fueling level and needs is probably a PDR HX-35. If you choose to fuel more in the future, maybe a hybrid like I am running or a PDR HX-40. If you do a lot of town driving and towning, and want a good overall housing, then go with a 16cm housing. If you do a lot of towing, then go with the 18cm exhaust housing.



Bigger turbo's move more air, but a big turbo would not benefit you now because you won't flow enough exhaust to spool a big turbo. Bigger turbos also cool down your exhaust temps when you flow enough to spool them.



Do you have gauges? Guages are a must! Pyrometer and Boost gauges are necessary. Watch the pyro and make sure you don't run above 1250* and use the boost gauge as a performance meter.



The different exhaust housings change the spooling characteristics of the turbo. A smaller housing will spool faster but you loose top end power, a larger one spools slower but you can run like a stripped ape on the highways. Our stock turbo's came with either 18 or 21 cm housings, bumping down to a 16 works well for most of us. Smaller housings also create more back pressure, which is why most of us stay away from 12's or 14's.



A wastegate is a valve that lets exhaust bi-pass the turbo. This allows you to run a housing and not blow it up. If you run too much boost, you can grenade a turbo, a wastegate stops you from "overboosting".



Yes, you have a getrag if you have a 5 speed. The NV4500 is the best conversion, but if you have some money and you tow a lot, go with the 6 speed NV5600 conversion. Most of us just go to the NV4500. It is a solid transmission that lasts longer and is stonger than this piece of crap getrag. Quad 4x4 in Montana has great conversion kits.



As for tweaking your engine, try to find a TDR member close by that can take you as a BOMBing apprentice. Don't trust local mechanics, they ussualy only know 350 chebbys and farm tractors... they'll tell you stupid things to do with your engine that will cost you a lot of money in the long run... . trust me, I know first hand.



There is Piers Diesel Research in Canada, not sure how close because I don't know jack about Canada, but our moderator Pastor Bob, lives up in BC right by Piers.



I hope that helped!

 

[sparks57]

Tell me if that clears everything up, I tried not to get too detailed as to overwhelm you, but I can elaborate if you would like.

 

[CGauthier]

Thanks bro, that was exactly what i was looking for



As for these trannies you speak of, are they readily available as "just bolt in and go" at the dealer or would i have to do some hunting? I'm not ready for all this yet, but just planning for the future. No i dont have guages yet, but thats the first priority. I checked into it out here and dayum, to get the pyro, boost, f/p and tach would cost me $1000, wow; although that is all autometer gages.



Thanx for the awesome advice dude



P. s. --Roflmao @ the stripped ape:-laf

 

[sparks57]

No way... that's bull man. I pyro a boost guage setup should only cost $150-$200. Fuel pressure isn't necessary, and tachs are all over the place used, you can pick them up cheap.



The first thing you do before anything else is get gauges, I'm seriouse. It could cost you thousands of dollars in cracked manifolds, exhaust housings, and burned pistons.



I would go with autometer z-series, they match our gauges best and the pyrometers are very responsive. I own a set of z-series gauges.



Rip Rook at: www.sourceautomotive.biz sells gauges at the best price I have seen. Then get your gauge pod from PDR.

 

[sparks57]

Oh and for trannies... no it's not dealer bolt up. You'll have to buy a kit. You can go to quad 4x4 and get a kit if you already have an nv4500, or you can get a new nv4500 and installation kit. Or you could have them install it too.



The 5600 conversion is much more expensive and requires fabrication.

 

[sparks57]

Clear as mud?

 

[CGauthier]

Originally posted by CB_Parker

Clear as mud?

Maybe even a little bit cleared than that I'm a little scared to see what the prices are if the used getrag is worth $750 U. S. O. o



Thanks for bein a great help man, some day some way I will return you tha favor!



Hmmm im not seein any guages at that site dude... ...

 

[dan brooks]

I just installed gauges (boost, pyro, trans temp - you don't need that one) and a 16cm housing, all for less than $500. That included the gauge pod, too. Of course, that's probably around $4500 Canadian... .



Seriously, check with Piers Diesel Research and Geno's Garage for better prices. I bought the 16cm housing from Piers and the gauges from Geno's, and the service from both was excellent! You can't go wrong with either vendor.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Hey there Carl,



Welcome to the ranch... errr... the farm... ok, asylum... . guess who's in charge here... yup, the inmates. .



Now, maybe we need to do a "definitions" thread... hmmmm... . guys??



Ok, stop the exercise for a bit.

We need as much info about your truck as you can provide eg: mileage and so forth. From this point on try to include everything you can... over time you'll discover the things needed and the things you can omit... .

GAUGES !!!!! no more advice till you get em bud...

C_B is right, they'll save your engine, your sanity (well sorta) and your truck in general.

To do an NV4500 conversion using a 13 1/4" conversion clutch, fully updated NV4500, the works, is very pricey... worth the $$ if you have them... just ask my brother...

30mpg all I can say is SHOW ME THE GAS RECEIPTS !!!

Average mileage for one of these trucks, assuming "stock" configuration is between 18 - 23mpg.

Some will get a tad more, some less... with 5spd being better than auto's of course.

If you plan to "tow heavy" you will be limited in how far you should push the engine.

Try to spend some time in the various threads in here... they contain all sorts of tips and so forth. .



Air in, air out... high flow air filter, open up the airbox a bit too. . you can use a hole saw and cut some holes in the airbox. If you got some extra cash buy a complete air intake system, if not make some 2 1/2" holes in the airbox and cover with screen door screening using zap straps or glue gun to hold it in place.

Air out= exhaust system. Try to get yourself a mandrel bent exhaust system. You can go 3 1/2" or 4" depending on your budget.

For turbo charger applications a modified turbo like C_B mentioned is a good addition. I believe his turbo and the PDR are pretty much identical in make-up.

They are modified to make them more efficient, wind up (Spool) quicker, and provide cooler boost, to a point.

A set of mid range injectors will help you out. You can get some 190hp nozzles... I'd not go to much more than that if you're going to tow heavy. Exhaust Gas Temperatures (EGT's) are your enemy. .

The pump tuning is free... . you can tweak and tune it pretty easily if you know how and were. All you need to know is right here in this forum.



Ok, this is long, I'll go sit down and let someone else confuse you further... .



Welcome !!



Pastor Bob... Our Lady Of Acceleration Church. .

 

[sparks57]

^

You gotta watch out for that guy... word is he get's goofy off of diesel exhaust...



Shhhh... I think he's listening!



J/K Pastor Bob!