takeoff...7.3L doesn't pick up quick...
 

Anyone know if it's natural for a 7.3L with a 5 spd manual to not pick up r's well at takeoff? Sometimes it wants to die, and i dont want to burn out the clutch by having to push it in, out of gear, to keep it running at takeoff.

No it's not normal. Sounds like a plugged fuel filter.

ok, will start with that. i did switch fuels just recently.

the other thing i was concerned about was stress on the turbo, because i still have the stock exhaust after 165,000 miles. not sure if the cat or muffler was changed in the past or not. I bought an exhaust system anyway, in which i'm still waiting for.

They like to breathe. Start with the fuel filter. Also, with that kind of mileage, the injector o-rings probably need to be replaced. Keep an eye on your oil level and quality....PSD's get VERY testy if the oil is low, or crappy. The most common problems, are low oil level/viscosity, injector o-rings, high pressure oil pump, and IPR, IPC, and such. I am the P-Stroke mechanic at work, and I deal with that same complaint weekly.

sounds like it's time for a cold air intake as well.... i noticed the oil level gets very testy when it's not at its fill. Is there a way to test the oil pressure, and how much should the it be?

It has to be hooked up to a scanner. There are two oil pumps in the P-Strokes. The regular oil pump is in the bottom, and typically puts out the 35-80 PSI for regular oiling. Then, there is the HPOP, that increases oil pressure to the injectors, and it needs to be above 400 psi inorder to even start the truck. It should vary between 600 and 2000+ PSI when the engine is running and accelerating, and such. The injectors have several o-rings, and they have a tendancy to break down and cause issues over time. Most vehicles in excess of 100,000 miles will need an injector o-ring service in a short period of time. What year is the truck? If it's a 95, there is a filter on the side of the fuel filter assembly. It is the pre-screen, and it's removable....this is 95's only. If you remove it and finds particles of rubber and other crud in it, it's a sure sign of injector o-ring failure.

my truck is a 99'. would the snap-on MT2500 scanner work? my friend owns one. i replaced the fuel filter in August 08', probably time again anyway, right? i have also been putting an additive in my fuel for the injectors, for lubrication. it seems to help a little. would the wastegate have anything to do with it as well?