Hello,
Picked up my first Powerstroke! It's a 2001 F-350 Crew cab short bed. Got it from the second owner which had a large file from the original owner on documentation and maintenance records. Truck has 280k, tranny about 80k. Question I have is, I kinda thought it would "feel" more powerful then it does. Temp got to about 35f last night after work and it cranked for about 15-20 sec before it started (yes I let the "Wait to start" light go out). Then pulling out of work it would hardly get out of its own way. Does this sound normal? When it is warmed up it goes ok, but still I figured when the turbo winds up it would feel a bit "peppier". I get its a diesel and not a hot rod but I was expecting a bit more pep.
MODS on the truck that I can tell: AFE cold intake, 5"? exhaust turbo back, about 4" lift. Stock PCM. In cab controlled rear air bags, nice deck with back up camera.
Love having a "real" truck again.
Any input would be appreciated.

 

I had an '02 F250 7.3 and it was a great truck but ....... the 7.3 was not known for it's power. I installed a 60 hp tow chip in mine and it really woke the truck up, if you're not towing anything real heavy you can go to an 80 hp - 100 hp chip but then you have to start worrying about blowing the trans or other driveline parts. Does your truck have an engine block heater? If it does then use it, will make starting and initial driving so much better.

 

Yup, has a block heater. Not really convenient to plug in at work though. Truck had a chip in it when I first test drove it but it was the guys friends chip so he swapped it back to the OE PCM. It really didn't feel any different then. Any specific brand of chip recommended?

 

7.3 stock is a tractor motor that will keep going and going and going, but it won't get there quickly. Part of the reason they last forever is they don't abuse themselves, on top of the lack of all the fancy emissions stuff. IMO I'd want to just keep it stock and let it run forever. It's never as simple as just a chip.

 

Yeah, if you are going to time acceleration get a sun dial.

Otherwise what everyone else already said. There is no mistaking it for anything fast and mine is rough until it warms up.

 

Sounds good. Thanks for the insight.

 

Thanks fellas. Just wanted to confirm what I had is normal.