2002 f 250 7.3 i would like to get better fuel milledge and of course more power is a chip or programer the way to go i have no clue witch one or if this is even the way to go can it be a cheap fix

 

Tell us your goals first. Do you want racing power? Looking for added umph towing? Need a bit of everything?

 

No racing probley get a camper I do pull a 24ft light pontoon boat the camper would be I'n the bed not pull behind I mostly hunt fish but a little more power is always nice but fuel milledge would be best

 

Someone recently said that if you add a chip for the sole reason of improved mpg you will be disappointed. I tend to agree. A better way of thinking about this is you'll get more power without a mpg penalty (if you drive accordingly).

 

Well with any chip or tuner, fuel mileage is never a guarantee. It's really going to depend on your driving style. Any tune that adds more power over stock is doing so by adding fuel. You add fuel, your mileage drops. If you aren't using that power, then you can keep your milage the same, or maybe even improve it some if the tuning is tweaked correctly to deliver the fuel a teensy bit better than stock programming.

If you're just looking for mileage and towing, there's tons of options from many different vendors. Chips are more popular around here than programmers, because chips can switch tunes on the fly. A programmer takes a few minutes to switch a tune... with the engine off. So the convenience of a chip goes a long way when you want to switch a tune while driving down the highway.

As for what to get... some tow and daily driver tunes are probably all you'll need. Contact a few vendors, talk to them and tell them what you're looking for, then pick.

 

Looks like Keith beat me on the fuel mileage part.

 

We highly recommend an exhaust, intake, and gauges before you install any kind of chip/programmer.

 

Going with a chip will not be a cheap fix for mileage. Before installing any tuning that will change the factory settings you really need to install gauges to keep an eye on what is going on. Having an EGT gauge us a must and from there you should look at a trans temp gauge if you have an automatic (ignore the temp gauge on the dash as it is more like an idiot light). The next gauge is boost, not required, but usually a gauge most get in a three gauge set-up.

As far as what chip to get, you will hear DP-Tuner or a TS Chip by most people. DP Tuner has a great reputation and are one of the most common run chips. TS Chips are also very good, and allow you to choose multiple tuners for the tunes installed on them. I run a DP Tuner and have been really happy with it. My DD tune is the 80 HP Economy tune which a lot of people also run. I can get good mileage with it, but it also has good power too. Other than that I use a 60 HP Tow tune for hauling.

Like mentioned above, figure out what you want, then start searching or asking based on that. You will find much more defined answers that way, but non of it is "cheap" so be prepared for that!