JackE
New member
My initial issue was what I was guessing to be turbo flutter. Under heavy acceleration I was getting a fluttering sound anywhere above half throttle. PO said he had some drivability issues around 140K that resulted in replacing the injectors with "something a little bigger than stock" but he couldn't remember anything more because it was 10 years ago. The truck came original with the 4" turbo back Banks exhaust. Also has CAI which isn't really CAI because it sucks all it's air from inside the engine bay. No other power mods have been done.
In talking with a friend that has a friend that claims to be a builder of 7.3's, and taking advice from another forum, I replaced the compressor wheel with a Wicked Wheel 2 because that was the sure fire way to clear up the flutter. It definitely sounds better with the WW2, but the flutter is still there. Under normal driving conditions it isn't very noticeable. Under heavy acceleration, or pulling a big hill with a load, it is very noticeable. It seems to come in about 2300-2400 rpm's. The turbo whistle isn't affected at all, the boost pressure sits steady during the fluttering sound. My wastegate actuator is set at about 18-20 lbs. The turbo won't build anymore than 23 lbs under it's heaviest load WOT. I have even taken the red tube off the actuator and still can't get above 23 lbs. Most regular hwy driving it sits at 3-5 lbs, jumping to 12-15 when passing.
My biggest question is, am I doing any damage when I get into the fluttering sound?
I have a new actuator on the way, along with new vacuum lines to run it. It all looks like it's probably original stuff.
I think I may have over done it when I bought my trailer, it's gvrw is 16,800. But, it's mine now, so I just need to make sure the truck is up to the task of pulling her around.
Any thoughts or ideas, I'm ready to give it all the old college try.
In talking with a friend that has a friend that claims to be a builder of 7.3's, and taking advice from another forum, I replaced the compressor wheel with a Wicked Wheel 2 because that was the sure fire way to clear up the flutter. It definitely sounds better with the WW2, but the flutter is still there. Under normal driving conditions it isn't very noticeable. Under heavy acceleration, or pulling a big hill with a load, it is very noticeable. It seems to come in about 2300-2400 rpm's. The turbo whistle isn't affected at all, the boost pressure sits steady during the fluttering sound. My wastegate actuator is set at about 18-20 lbs. The turbo won't build anymore than 23 lbs under it's heaviest load WOT. I have even taken the red tube off the actuator and still can't get above 23 lbs. Most regular hwy driving it sits at 3-5 lbs, jumping to 12-15 when passing.
My biggest question is, am I doing any damage when I get into the fluttering sound?
I have a new actuator on the way, along with new vacuum lines to run it. It all looks like it's probably original stuff.
I think I may have over done it when I bought my trailer, it's gvrw is 16,800. But, it's mine now, so I just need to make sure the truck is up to the task of pulling her around.
Any thoughts or ideas, I'm ready to give it all the old college try.
