I have just bought a 2002 f-350 7.3 for my landscaping company. I am trying to find out the best way to go to get the best MPG towing trailers 4 days a week. I have been told bby my buddies I work with at the Fire Dept that i should go with Banks 4" turbo back, DP tuner (6 position on the fly) and K&N air intake! Im wanting all the opinions from the people who know about it not just think they know like my buddies?

 

K&A might not give you better mpg, but will shorten engine life.
Same with all tuners.
Bigger exhaust by reputable manufacturer might increase mpg and power as well, but per my rough calculation it will take about 200 years go get the money back.
I haul heavy and having Severe Duty air filter just make sure it is clean and everything is up to specifications. Both of my trucks are stock and I intend to keep them this way.
The best way to save fuel is drive slower. You can't imagine what 5 mph lower speed than traffic can do. This way you don't have to brake for slow trucks or other idiots cutting you off.

 

So there is no point in having an air intake then? or any of it?

 

Technically better exhaust makes lot of sense.
But get a pen and a piece of paper and calculate cost v/s savings, what will be likely in 2% range.
It is not like dual-pane windows that "will pay for themselves" in just few years.

 

pretty much spending about 2k!

 

Moved to the 1999 - 2003 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel forum.

Welcome to FTE ffzahowell and thanks for supporting FTE.

 

Glad to join. I found it b/c in my f-350 the trip computer didnt work so I google it and found this web site that helped me fix it without having to spend a crap ton of money so I figured if there was anyone to ask for help they would be on FTE.

 

So that is the start of calculation.
Now how much a year you will spend on fuel?

 

I would say give or take about 5k a year on fuel just for my truck not including equipment!

 

This is something I am about to do to my 2000, Ive seen it several times on many other trucks. Sorry no personal experience yet, but the reviews and responses are all very positive. A simple home made less restrictive intake using either a donaldson B085011 filter or a Tymar 6637 filter with some 4" exhaust tube or PVC pipe (obviously a few clamps as well). These filters are easily found at local parts shops. The donaldson Ive heard is quite a bit cheaper. A simple search can bring up many photos of this mod. As for the exhaust, you dont have to go spend all that much money there either. A simple less restrictive 4" down pipe is cheap easy start, then you could easily finish up the rest for much cheaper than a kit from banks. And for your intended use, a simpler/cheaper single program chip could be had as well. That is if cost is your concern.

 

If pinching every penny and driving 5 mph slower than a clapped out Yugo sounds good to you, then congrats, you're set.

But just a few mods for not too much money will totally wake up your truck. I agree with your buddies on the basics; better intake, exhaust, and a tune, but if you want a hot tune or tow heavy, you'll need gauges to keep an eye on EGTs and trans temps. Lots of choices here depending on your budget. A 6637 intake filter and Walker BTM muffler were my first mods, and good bang-for-the-buck choices. The mods in my sig are oriented toward towing and daily driver duty. Mods can be addictive.

A K&N filter that drops in to your oem airbox is bad, btw.

Read around a while and see what your choices are. A lot of info in the "Common Mods" sticky thread at the top of the forum.

Welcome to FTE!

 

Yeah thanks for al the info. I dont care to spend some money i just want to make the right choices in what i need to get, and that it will help. I know there is alot of things out there i just want to get the best thing for the 7.3.

 

Riffraff Diesel: RDP 6637 Filter Kit

 

Mods done in proper order help these 7.3's tremendously in the power and fuel milage . Start with the basics that you are have been thinking about better yet take a ride in a modded 7.3 and see what you think .

 

Yeah. thats not a bad idea i will do that.