Adding Intercooler to 95 OBS

I am not sure about thh different years of bodies yet as i am new to Powerstrokes. I just picked up a 1995 5 speed with Luk clutch and downpipe.

I have been told I will need to replace my injectors soon...since I am doing this I want to put in bigger injectors...of course this brings up a lot of other changes that could be done.

As my truck tows a 28 foot travel trailer I was thinking an IC was a valuable option to keep everything cool and happy...plus it will allow me to push the power level a bit more.

I have looking into a Banks IC and they have a kit I could put in. It comes with directions and everything I need to make this addition. however, the costs are a bit high.

I have heard of guys putting in 6.0 or later 7.3 stock intercoolers. Are these as effective as the Banks unit? I am not a welder ( well I can use a cutting torch but MIG and TIG are out of my skill level) so the Banks pipes seem like a great idea.

So looking on feedback as to which is the better option for a shade tree mechanic. Banks ( or some other IC kit) or the 6.0/7.3 mod.

Thanks

Well yes the banks kit is expensive but its a bolt on kit no welding required, It works okay there is alot better ways to go with intercooling but in most cases requires welding of your own piping. Spearco, Hypermax, DIIC, City Diesel, all make a much better intercooler that is more efficient than the banks system but due to your situation Id say the Banks intercooler and a set of stage 1s from one of the vendors on this site, and Jodys (DP Tuner) programing will make that truck a good towing and Daily driving truck.

Robert

Well I am wanting to push teh envelop a bit more than that:D

So it is better to get the intercooler from one of the other vendors and have get a fabricator to make up the piping for me?

Who would you recommend for the best bang for the buck IC?

Best bang for buck is a used 7.3 cooler. Intercooler for OBS takes some work even the Banks one. You also have to consider how you are going to address the pumbing at the intakes too.

Tom

Tom is right! I think Banks sells the pipe kit, or you can build your own. It's a lot of work, but worth it in the end!

Yep I have a plastic 7.3 cooler and the pipes were cut and fabbed by me and a bud.

Talk to Powerstroke Racer, I just bought an all aluminum 7.3 IC from him for my 96 F250, and I think he still has a couple floating around. He was really good to deal with. As far as the plumbing goes, I couldn't tell you, I haven't tried to install mine yet, but I will probably build my own plumbing or if I can find someone other than banks that I like, I might go that route. Good luck.

Stock drivers side with 12' of tubeing added to the cooler end. Pass side is a cut up 6.oh with some parts from a pass side 7.3 tube added. Mine work well and do not blow off. I used all stock boots and clamps also.

go here link (http://www.gtsmotorsports.com) and look around. They have a kit also. You will eventually find it if you look around enough.

Thanks all for the tips and links.

I have a IC out of a 6.0 and bought the Banks pipes. It worked out great and the piping looks very nice. The piping doesn't cost that much from Banks, especially if you are going to pay someone to make up piping for you.

I could have made my own but went with the Banks pipes instead.

Does a 7.3 IC cool as well as a 6.0?

Also I heard that installing the 6.0 was more difficult due to differences in dimensions...is this true?

I was gonna use the aluminum 7.3 with the GTS piping. Complete Intercooler system for 750.00 that way.

The 6.0 cooler is a little larger so it should cool a little better and flow a little better. They are not night and day different though. Some swap the 6.0 into the 99 and up trucks and see aprox. 50 to 150 egt drop at full throttle.

That sounds like a good plan you have there. Call up GTS and make sure they are making the kits still.

When I did mine a number of years ago I used an all aluminium 7.3 IC and fabbed my own pipes using a selection of pre-bent (aluminized mandrel bent) exhaust pipe. IIRC two short and three long 90 degree radius piping and some short straight lengths and a 45 degree elbow.

I thought you could buy a pipe kit from Banks and then use a stocker 7.3 or 6.0 one. Root about and do more research because you may want to upgrade to SD intake runners and spider.

jrc

Looks like I have a pipe set coming from GTS and an aluminum 7.3 IC from Powerstroke Racer.

Thanks for all the help.

PDR makes a drop in IC for the OBS Trucks. You just gotta change one tab or something like that. AND has Stainless Pipes.

Gale Banks is a tool, don't give him money

Hey Gang! Merry Christmas!!!

It looks like RevBubba has got his install worked out so I am posting this for others considering the same job. I did a write up on the install on my 97 using an aluminum 99+ I/C and made my pipes and mounts, the link is in my sig.

God Bless,

TC

On Edit: So what is the turnaround time on orders from GTS these days?

I have a Banks kit on my truck. It was a small pain to install, but MOST definately worth it. YES, the price is a bit high, but I got a great deal that I couldn't pass up at the time. IF I had to do it all over again I would, but I'd go with the Spearco IC from BlackWidow.com I think they sale a kit now with pluming, boots, clamps, everthing you need for around $1500.

I've just put in DIY stage I's in the truck and I can get my EGT's in the critical area running my extreme program. I have yet to tow with the new injectors, so I can't give you much feedback there, sorry. But any IC setup you go with will be a BIG help.

I still have NOt got my IC yet. GTS is making a run of pipe sets this month. I still need a cooler...hoping Powerstroke Racer is gonna hook a brother up.

I still have NOt got my IC yet. GTS is making a run of pipe sets this month. I still need a cooler...hoping Powerstroke Racer is gonna hook a brother up.

Hope you get those pipes, b/c I know some guys have waited for a long time to get them. But the wait is worth it. Good luck!!

If you are interested in a Banks Pipe kit I might know where to send you.

Tom

Yeah you can get the plumbing from Banks. They were advertising a sale in Diesel Power Mag. for the kit so I called them for prices. I dont remember the price on the complete kit but it was over a grand. However I do remember the price for the plumbing. It was $600.00 for the plumbing. I also asked about using a stock 6.0L IC they said it would work. If you were going to do this all on your own the toughest part is going to be the manifold.

im in the process of doing the same mod.i cant get GTS to respond back after several e mails !!!!!!anyone have a # .for what its worth Banks responded the very next day with a phone call .gave me a price of 800.for plumbing shiped .i thought that was kinda high?

It is high PDR is 1100 for the entire kit.

Anyone have early sd 7.3 intercooler piping? I'm trying to do the intercooler on my obs and have the sd 7.3 intercooler to start Any help would be greatly appreciated

dont want to muck up your thread but i bought my pipes for 200, spyder for 100, boots and clamps to 150 and the 6.0 ic for 100. 550 well spent. just take your time and piece it together.