Turbo seems louder, now I have less power

[bigdawgchallenger]

2000 F350 7.3. It's not that much louder, but i noticed it.

[ToMang07]

Do you have gauges? Checked your intercooler boots? Fuel mileage worse? Have you visually checked the turbo wheel?

[bigdawgchallenger]

I do have gauges, seems like I was putting out out about 17 psi max and now its around 14-15. Is there a easy way to check the wheel? The boots look good, a little oily though.

There is 210k on it with a superchip reprogram at 50 HP, 4" exhaust turbo back, and a K&N filter.

[Austin G]

Take your intake off and you can see the compressor wheel right there.

The K&N probably isn't doing it any good letting **** get sucked into it.

[Dietoremain]

Dump the K&N and check your uppipes too...should be making more with that superchip tune than that.

[bigdawgchallenger]

What should I use instead of the K&N?

[ToMang07]

The DIY 6637 Intake is a cheap, and very effective PROVEN alternative, but any dry element filter would be better than the K&N.... they just aren't for diesels. (DIY Write-up is in the 7.3 Tech Files)

[atvrider93]

I'm gonna guess a leak somewhere after the turbo on the intake side. I guess it would have to be intercooler boots. I'm not sure if a broken or worn fin would make it louder and assuming the noise/power change was instant, that sounds more like a boot slipping off than fins wearing down

[bigdawgchallenger]

OK, I finely got back in town long enough to look at the turbo. Some blades appear to have abrasions on the leading edge. When I try to move the spool up and down, there is slight movement.

At 2100 rpm I show about 4-5 psi of boost. Is the turbo bad?

The Streaks are from my finger prints in the oil

[audiocontr]

Your turbo looks fine.

There are 6 rubber boots in all supplying the system after the turbo. Chances are you have a leak in one of them. You may want to order a replacement set to be sure, or create a boost leak detector.

I pulled all 6 of mine off and cleaned them up. I reinstalled and pull 22+ at WoT with the superchips pack. Mid throttle acceleration is around 14psi. it should peg the 22+ VERY quick if you slam on the gas peddle. Remember boost is not a function of RPM, but of load and throttle position.

Other possibility are your up pipes.