OK fella's.. Newbie here to FTE!
I just bought a 2000 F250 w/ 147k miles on the 7.3. The truck is super clean and the guy took great care of it. He did some mods, Banks exhaust, Trans Command, Pyro and Boost Gauge, Big Head Waste Gate and Ram Air. He also lifted it 6 inches and put 35's on her. Air bags in the rear for load leveling.
4 of the 8 injectors failed the buzz test, so i am now trying to educate myself on the options. The guy whi inpected it also said the turbo pedestal needs to be resealed and modified? What gives on the mod?

Here is my plan,

Replace the injectors with some performance model. say 100HP. Have no idea what brand or whos to use. Replace the stock turbo with a GT38. New Banks Ram Air, New CFM+ intake, New Banks Techni Cooler, New Bank Billet Torque Converter

How can I tell if the intercooler in this thing is stock or aftermarket?
Will I need to run a performance HPOP?
Will I need a performance fuel pump system?
Whos injectors and what size shoud I use?
Whos programming?

Crud!!! Im having a meltdown here....


I want a to use the truck to tow 6-8k pounds with 100% reliability, but still be able to put a smile on my face when I mash the throttle on the way to work!!!

To whomever answere my thread... THANK YOU ahead of time. I appreciate your time.

 

Welcome to FTE. Banks makes some quality stuff.......that costs about 4 times as much as it should.

My first question is how did the injectors fail the buzz test? Codes or did they not buzz when the test was run? With 4 injectors supposedly not working, the engine should be jumping around so rough that it feels like it's trying to jump out from under the hood. Which 4 injectors? Are they all on the same side? Any other codes present? It could be a wiring issue.

As for the mods, I'd suggest you read here and figure out what your realistic HP goals are. If you buy a 100 hp chip or 100 hp injectors, you don't actually add 100 hp at the wheels. Usually not even close to that so try and get those numbers out of your head unless you decide that you want something like 400 rwhp. Then that can be a goal to shoot for.

I'd start by dealing with your 4 injectors first. If the truck seems to run fine, don't buy any injectors yet. If you do need injectors, don't get improved injectors on only 4. Do all 8. Jim at Rosewood diesel (a site sponsor) can build you a good set of injectors or get some Casserly built injectors. You can get them from sponsors like Riffraff diesel. Don't buy from pensacola diesel just because you found them on the internet and they have great prices. You'll regret it as soon as you get them installed and discover you've got to pull some back out.

You won't run out of fuel so don't worry about that, but there are some things you can do to improve the fuel weaknesses. The in tank mods and the FRX will help.

I'd wait on the HPOP until you get the mods installed so you can see what you've got.

For tuning, DP-Tuner is a site sponsor. Total Diesel Performance, & PHP are other popular ones with a few other honorable mentions coming on strong. They will run circles around the off the shelf stuff like Edge, superchips, banks, etc.

You're probably ok with the stock intercooler for now also, but installing a shift kit would be a wise idea. My suggestion would be to price up all the Banks stuff you are thinking about and get that number in your head. Then call Clay at Riffraff Diesel and let him suggest a package. You'll get a whole lot more mods and power for less money going with Clay.

 

Awesome! Thanks Chris, Im looking at the intercooler that is installed in the truck now.. it has cast aluminum end tanks with a 3" inlet. Does this sound like it is a stocker? It has the stock tubes on it and stock connector hoses... I checked my 2006 with a 6.0L and the intercooler has plastic end tanks and a much smaller diameter inlet.
The mechanic who looked at the truck for me (All Time Gas and Diesel, Glendora CA) told me that 2 of the 8 were shot and 2 more were showing signs of going.. no trouble codes though. Rough idle at time, a top end knock somewehere in the right bank, sometimes and HORRIBLE fuel mileage.. somwhere in the 7.5 - 8 MPG range.. no joke.
As far as the referal for the mods, Ill give Clay a call on Monday.. the feeling in my gut says my budget is around $10k on this thing. Im in the middle of balljoint and tie rod ends right now... moving on to power steering hoses, just replaced the belt tensioner and idler pulley... I figure Ill have $20-22 into her, but its a 7.3L, clean, paid for, and at least I know what I got!!!

Thanks!!

 

Sound like a stock intercooler. Give me a call and I will see how I can help. The guys on this forum, like Chris, have years of personal experience which is invaluable. Listen to what they think and then make up your own mind on which way to go.

 

I'll let you do the math, but if you've got that kind of budget, I'd consider dropping in a bullet proof tranny as part of your upgrade. Your profile says you're in CA. John Woods is in South CA and can build a 4R100 right. The other favorite tranny builder is BTS in Arkansas.

Any way you can post pictures for us to take a look at it? If you have a photobucket type account or upload them to your gallery here.

Edit: and as you can see, Clay is around most of the time anyway so you don't really have to wait until Monday to call him, but his prices will sound a whole lot better if you price the Banks stuff first.

 

Awesome guys!! Thanks so much.. BTW, the numbers I was programming in my head was based on Banks stuff... They are the only product I have had experience with since I am fairly new to the diesel world (other than putting fuel in the tank).... I work on the photos, I guess a picture does it alot better than my narrative.

Clay,

I just pulled up your website, I will definately be giving you a call.

Again guys, thanks for the help... Ill keep you posted as this progresses!!!

 

Welcome aboard, you will love this site and will learn so much from the experts on here. They can save you alot of money and help you spend that extra savings for other mods. Now if your in CA some of those mods might not be legal. You would have to find out what you can have on the truck for it to pass the smog insp.

 

Thanks Rob! I know for many years we didnt have to worry about Smog inpsections for diesels here in CA... but things are changing. Maybe somebody will read this thread and have some input on that subject....
Come to think of it, this is another reason why I have gravitated towards Bank's products even though they cost a bit more.... 99% have C.A.R.B. certification. Soooo funny that you would post.... I had completely forgotten about this issue!!!
Does anyone know how to determine which mods are CA legal and which are not? I know if they carry a CARB number they are but any other general guidlines? Other than do absolutley nothing at all because I happen to live in Leftest state in the Union.
Figures someone would come along and lick the red right off my lollipop!!
Thanks again....

 

There's actually alot of people on here from CA maybe they will chime in and let u know what you can have.