Rebuild turbo or upgrade?

[akexc]

So I'm sure this has been covered many times, but I'm having trouble searching out what I'm looking for. Point me to another thread if you can.

I have a 97 F350 with 230K miles. I'm sure the turbo has issues. No where near the power I would expect even at this mileage.

I have put a 4" downpipe and exhaust on this and that's about the extent of what I intend to do as far as performance, with the exception of the turbo.

My question is should I just put a rebuild kit for very little money into the turbo, or can I gain anything by upgrading the turbo in some fashion.

If I can get some gain in performance/mileage by doing something different with the turbo, great. Just not looking to do anything with this truck beyond general usage and occasional light towing.

Any help or direction is much appreciated.

Thanks.

Jim

[JSchuricht]

If you aren't changing the injectors the stock turbo will be fine.

[akexc]

Not changing injectors. Thanks.

Any recommendation on rebuild kits vs just buying a rebuilt turbo? Recommended vendors either way?

[1Dieselman]

I usually use Ron's turbo service Rebuilt Turbochargers| Turbocharger Kits| Turbochargers| Salt Lake City, Utah for my turbo needs. Might upgrade to the 1.0 turbine housing.

[1997ExCabStroker]

I actually bought one of Ron's turbos off of ebay last week for my 97, I dont want to hijack but I went with the 1.0 housing, says it has a banks wheel balanced and upgraded bearings from him it won't be here till monday I am just wondering what to expect from it as far as the performance increase? My old turbo lost the seals and bearings so I will be sure to report back so the op can get some sort of an idea what the turbo improvements were.

[JSchuricht]

I hope you didn't pay any extra for the Banks wheel. It's the same one used on 94-97 Powerstrokes.

[1Dieselman]

I'm sure you will be happy with his turbo and the 1.0 housing. I've bought several different turbos from him and never been disappointed. I talked to him about the banks wheel and he said that he does get the wheel from banks because it was a little better quality than the garret wheel but banks calls it the wicked wheel when it is installed in the 99 and up 7.3s

[1997ExCabStroker]

I had read about the banks wheel not being any different performance wise from the stocker in obs trucks I just wondered why he ran it anyway in the new setups and now I know thanks. Im also glad to hear good things about him and so far have been pleased dealing with him

[Big Jeremy]

I also give Ron a thumbs up. I bought the parts from him a few years ago when i rebuilt my turbo. I went to his place of buisiness (clean, well stocked shop and nice guy). He also took the time to show me how to tear the turbo down and the importance of having it all balanced. Others would dissagree on the balance. But generaly I believe what I see with my own eyes.

[95redrifle]

im not sure what what rons prices are but i got my rebuild kit from dieselpowerproducts.com, the kit costs 145 and comes with pedistal o-rings. i also got the housing from there. their customer service is great but when i got my tracking number it was for someone else's package. that is the only complaint i have with them