Done drove F-350 with manual for the first time. I never drove manual pick up truck and it was rather interested. Its 1992 F-350 with at least 2.2 million miles on odometer. Done replace all drivetrain (Engine, tranny, replace all fluid, clutch, and so on pretty much truck overhaul and the engine came from ambulance with only 70K miles and it is 7.3L IDI non-turbo. Its Indirect Injection diesel, totally different than mine which is direct injection. Man his truck drives like brand new and drives so quiet! He was upset that the sounds of diesel running isn't exists. Every engine parts I see on his is so basic, cheap and easy to fix. Interesting. Now he is going take it re-paint.
Because of that, I think Derek may be right adding Turbo seems to make it run better, LOL Not exactly running better, I like the feeling of purring like cat purrs when driving my truck, his truck don't have that purring vibration, just too quiet!