i know this questions probably been answered a million times... but i just got into the diesel motors and i am ready to mod it up.... i heard some people complaining bout doing the 4'' straight pipe it looses a lil bit of power and it would be better for me to stick with the stock 3.5'' straight piping it...
also would like to put a good intake on it prefferly one i didnt have to oil all the time, and a good programer, i know alot people run the SCT and the Edge juice w/attitude, i would like one with a good street econmy, for fuel milages and a good towing for hauling cars and truck...by the way all this would be going on my 03 excursion 6.0L.. would like to see what oppinions people would have on what works out the best for these motors... thanks...



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my mods i did to my truck are as follows, ccv reroute, egr blockoff (rear of cooler) fass fuel sys (pump my be a little noisy) intercooler system (me i went with banks), 4in exhaust sys with cat delete pipe by afe and mbrp after that with no muffler, stc fitting update on hpop (to stop future potential problems if u dont have it now), inductive heat flash for injectors helps during cold mornings, run a syn oil, i like mobil 1 delvac esp 5w-40 syn oil now good stuff the best i can find in my area.
change both fuel filters every 7500mi, & buy fuel from a hi vol. truck stop premium fuel is better if you can find it. also u should consider a regulated fuel return to help with fuel in the heads which will prevent fuel spikes/drops with the regular stock system (stops the dead head thing), new updated head gaskets/head studs, (if you are having
coolant puking already then it needs done now. must check to make shore heads are flat also during this time) next turbo/injectors/programming get what you want, a good brand is sct programmer by spartan diesel they are highly rated here, you can get custom tunes for just about anything you want to do with your truck and injectors/turbos setup to go with those tunes. install a 2008 aluminum diff cover on the rear of your truck axle helps to keep temps in-check, & looks great, this finned cover fits perfectly on f250-350's srw helps dissipate heat better than the stok steel cover, only costs about 45 plus s&h plus bolts and new royal purple 75e-140 syn fluid (3.5qts). also get a dynatrac front axle cover for the stock dana 60 axle they look good and are quite durable if you go offroding. almost forgot get a accufab intake also helps with air flow

 

With the amount of idling you described in your other thread I would do the EGR delete/blockoff and CCV reroute. If you get a SCT tuner with custom tunes you can have them disable your EGR so you don't have to physically disconnect it.

 

good 4in exhaust will be fine. Shouldnt move your powerband up any. Stay with the stock intake setup. Good for 500rwhp and stops everything. A lot of people run Sct here. Lots of good reading on tuners and chips here.

 

EGR cooler blockoff (or better yet, remove it completely), ARP head studs, CCV reroute, and coolant filter. That's a good start before you tune it.

 

Try it the way it is to see if the truck performs for you and your needs. If you read what has been said about the earlier 6.0's you will see some problems. I have an '04 and only changed the exhaust and worked on the intake elbow. (did my own porting and polishing) Advice on the intake is best, leave it alone.

Hop-ups seems to hurt some and cause no problem to others. (headgaskets). If you tow add an EGT gauge for your knowledge. I use a Bully Dog Moniter and like it's flexability. I use no turner and happy with fuel mileage and towability (#8000 trailer). Mine has never had a turbo or injector nozzle problem.

I would advise a fuel additive with every tank. I like Standyne but also have used Diesel Kleen (gray bottle). @25K miles I put in a 1/2 bottle of Hot Shot Secret for precautiuonary purposes as I don't use the truck every day. Went to full synthetic oil at 3 years. Very happy with my truck....................Good Luck

 

Also the stock exhaust has a little bitty 3" down pipe, I have 4" straight through and I love it.

 

Good point, especially on the 03s - the DP is crimped up where it bends to go to the cat. You can't see it if it has the insulation crap on there; don't know if the Excursions have that like the Super Duties. I have an MBRP turbo back and recommend that too.

 

Definatly go with exhaust 4in turbo back and EGR which ever tune you go with just be carefull ,head studs, if you can.Leave stock intake works the best and keeps dealer happy.

 

Just curious.

How long have you owned this truck?

 

about a month and half now, not long at all thats why i am needing all the advice possible, i am pretty automotive savy but this diesel world is all new too me so i am soaking in as much as i can...

 

First thing I'd do is get an OASIS report and go from there. Chances are that you'll find some interesting info in that report. 03' builds are pretty much the worst. (there's some exceptions but the rule of thumb is 03' is the bad apple)

If the heads have come off in the past that'll lead you in another direction. Get that report and post it here. Lot's of knowledgable folks here to chime in. You'll need a good foundation to start from and this report will help get an idea what's been done to the motor.

You can request it at the top of the forums.

 

[off topic]
It bugs me when people say "03 is the worst" (most likely because I own an 03, but I'm trying to be impartial ). What facts do you have to back that statement up? I've heard or read that opinion over and over again, but it may or may not be true. Just as often I've read that the 03 was the most dependable of the 6.0 run.
[back on topic]

No matter what year, the best thing you can do before buying is to get an oasis report on the truck and use that to determine the truck's dependability.

After buying the truck, get gauges first before making ANY modifications which alter drivetrain operation. EGT and fuel pressure are the critical parameters to monitor. Water temp, oil temp, tranny temp and boost are also important. After that, mod away.

 

this is my OASIS report... it looks to have had all the recalls done to it forsure, also was the headgasket apart of the recalls or no?


Standard Claims List For Model Year 2003

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VIN VEH LINE MKT DERIV BODY CAB VER SERIES DRIVE TYPE PLT CD TRS CD ENG CD PROD DATE WARR DATE SELLING DEALER SELL CNT TIS WCC CPSC_6 PREF BASE SUFF CCC CD DIST(Miles)
1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 0 2G05 031405 * RECAL * D50 79 12
AWS Claim Key: 3255686 Trx Code: 1 Labor Hrs: 0.7
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:03-NOV-2003 Doc #:05432451
Cust Comments: 03T02 RECALL
Tech Comments: RECALL PERFORMED RECAL

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 0 2E01 * * * * * * 12
AWS Claim Key: 3255687 Trx Code: 03B05 Labor Hrs: 0.7
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:03-NOV-2003 Doc #:05432452
Cust Comments: 03B05 RECALL
Tech Comments: RECAL PERFORMED RECAL

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 0 2G01 * * * * * * 12
AWS Claim Key: 3255688 Trx Code: 03L12 Labor Hrs: 0.2
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:03-NOV-2003 Doc #:05432453
Cust Comments: 03L12 RECALL
Tech Comments: RECALL PERFOMED RECAL

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 0 * * * * * * * 12
AWS Claim Key: 3255689 Trx Code: 03E04 Labor Hrs: 0.2
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:03-NOV-2003 Doc #:05432454
Cust Comments: 03E04 RECALL
Tech Comments: RECALL PERFORMED RECAL

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 10 * * * * * * * 20200
AWS Claim Key: 7650446 Trx Code: 04S15 Labor Hrs: 0.4
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:10-SEP-2004 Doc #:08168740
Cust Comments: 04S15 NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL TO ENGINE BLOCK CONNECTION
Tech Comments: RECALL 04S15 PERFORMED RECALL 04S15

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 10 6J08 011404 2C3Z 3626605 AAU L08 42 20819
AWS Claim Key: 7860343 Trx Code: E84 Labor Hrs: 0.4
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:22-SEP-2004 Doc #:08265051
Cust Comments: CUST STS THE LEFT REAR DOOR HANDLE WORKS AT TIMES AND THAT DOOR SWITCH FELL INTO PANEL SOP IN STOCK RE : 81687
Tech Comments: DOOR HANDLE INOP R&I L R DOOR PANEL TO R&R HANDLE

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 13 2E05 100106 3C3Z 9B249 AB G29 42 28219
AWS Claim Key: 8902838 Trx Code: E84 Labor Hrs: 1.4
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:13-DEC-2004 Doc #:08947351
Cust Comments: CUST STATES WATER IN FUEL LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING
Tech Comments: FUEL MODULE ASYS WDS DIAG NO CODES REPLACED BAD MODLE AND RETESTED

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 13 5A09 0502XX E8TZ 4676 B K03 42 28219
AWS Claim Key: 8902839 Trx Code: E84 Labor Hrs: 1.4
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:13-DEC-2004 Doc #:08947352
Cust Comments: CUST STATES DIFF FLUID LEAK AT UNDER CARRIAGE
Tech Comments: PINION SEAL LEAKING R&R PINION FLANGE SEAL AND RESEAL REAR COVER

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 21 2H01 030008 3C3Z 6K682 AARM E29 42 41224
AWS Claim Key: 11628367 Trx Code: S07 Labor Hrs: 9.7
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 03915 - * Name: TEAM FORD Ph: 702-3955100 St:NV Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:02-AUG-2005 Doc #:07745251
Cust Comments: CUST STATES THAT THE AMBER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND VEHICLE ENGINE PERFORMANCE IS POOR 5 100 100.00 DED
Tech Comments: TURBO CHARGER EGR EBP ENGINE PERFORMANCE DIAGNOSTICS DIESEL ENGINE DIAGNOSIS

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 28 * * * * * * * 57706
AWS Claim Key: 13520358 Trx Code: 59B01 Labor Hrs: 0.3
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:16-MAR-2006 Doc #:03975040
Cust Comments: 59B01 ELIGIBLE FOR ONE TIME CUSTOMER ASSURANCE TEST DRIVE. SEE EMISSIO
Tech Comments: RECALL TEST DRIVE

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 28 * * * * * * * 57706
AWS Claim Key: 13520359 Trx Code: 06E17 Labor Hrs: 0.7
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:16-MAR-2006 Doc #:03975041
Cust Comments: 06E17 CONTROL MODULE RECALIBRATION
Tech Comments: RECALL RECALIBRATE

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 33 7B02 140201 4C3Z 10346 AA G29 42 66003
AWS Claim Key: 14299512 Trx Code: SPW Labor Hrs: 2
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:14-AUG-2006 Doc #:05419052
Cust Comments: SPW ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING
Tech Comments: VERIFIED CONCERN, CHARGING SYSTEM TEST, BATTERY TEST. REMOVE COOLING FAN TO GAIN ACCESS, REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND REASSEMBLED. RETESTED ALL OKAY

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1FMNU42P73EC18256 T/L1 F T/WD T/BD T/B A1 T/BE T/YB 21-JAN-2003 03-DEC-2003 152057 USA 36 2E03 030008 3C3Z 9E527 AE D50 42 70298
AWS Claim Key: 14580566 Trx Code: E72 Labor Hrs: 7.4
Dlr Cd-Sub Cd: 04545 - * Name: MCCOMBS FORD WEST Ph: 210-5091000 St:TX Ctry Cd: USA Reg Cd: NA Repr Date:27-OCT-2006 Doc #:06105451
Cust Comments: CUST STATES LACK OF POWER
Tech Comments: NOZZLES INOP ENGINE PERFORMANCE DIAGNOSTICS DIESEL ENGINE DIAGNOSIS

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Head gaskets were not part of any recall that I know of. The two oasis entries I copied above are the two that I would be most interested in, but I can't fully decipher the technician's comments for either of them.

On the first one, I can't imagine it took a technician 9.7 hours to diagnose and replace a turbo. So I'm guessing more work than a turbo swap was done.

On the second one... does nozzles = injectors?