Lowering egt's
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
I don't really see what the big deal is about the EGTs. I know everyone says you have to keep the EGT down but my truck doesn't tell me what the temp is so why do I care?
My truck has 65K miles and is basically stock. I tow a 40 ft GN trailer loaded to my combined limit about 12-15 weekends per year. I have no complaints about the fuel mileage. The truck weighs 8500 lbs empty!
Should I be monitoring my EGT? I've considered some performance mods but have no urgency. I could use a bit more power when climbing hills with the trailer in tow but I don't have much confidence in the conflicting info that I read on the forums. Tuners, CAI systems, DPFD, downpipes, intercooler upgrades, etc???
My truck has 65K miles and is basically stock. I tow a 40 ft GN trailer loaded to my combined limit about 12-15 weekends per year. I have no complaints about the fuel mileage. The truck weighs 8500 lbs empty!
Should I be monitoring my EGT? I've considered some performance mods but have no urgency. I could use a bit more power when climbing hills with the trailer in tow but I don't have much confidence in the conflicting info that I read on the forums. Tuners, CAI systems, DPFD, downpipes, intercooler upgrades, etc???
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,788
Likes: 103
From: Georgia
I don't really see what the big deal is about the EGTs. I know everyone says you have to keep the EGT down but my truck doesn't tell me what the temp is so why do I care?
My truck has 65K miles and is basically stock. I tow a 40 ft GN trailer loaded to my combined limit about 12-15 weekends per year. I have no complaints about the fuel mileage. The truck weighs 8500 lbs empty!
Should I be monitoring my EGT? I've considered some performance mods but have no urgency. I could use a bit more power when climbing hills with the trailer in tow but I don't have much confidence in the conflicting info that I read on the forums. Tuners, CAI systems, DPFD, downpipes, intercooler upgrades, etc???
My truck has 65K miles and is basically stock. I tow a 40 ft GN trailer loaded to my combined limit about 12-15 weekends per year. I have no complaints about the fuel mileage. The truck weighs 8500 lbs empty!
Should I be monitoring my EGT? I've considered some performance mods but have no urgency. I could use a bit more power when climbing hills with the trailer in tow but I don't have much confidence in the conflicting info that I read on the forums. Tuners, CAI systems, DPFD, downpipes, intercooler upgrades, etc???
What rear axle you runnig. I tow about the same weight and mine doesn't even down shift on most pulls. I am deleted with a very mild tune (I'd run it deleted in stock level if the tuner would let me). This truck is very powerful once the DPF is out of the way. I had all that other stuff on my 7.3L and it was not near as powerful as this truck. With the 4.30 rear axle it is awesome.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
I have the 3.55 gears and 18" wheels. In order to get 3.73s on a SRW truck in 09 they forced you to get the 20" wheels/tires which cost an extra $2000. I was actually considering a gear swap with all the money I saved. 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,788
Likes: 103
From: Georgia
Well, the 3.55 is a trade off by Ford. Better fuel mileage less power. I tried to make that point a couple years back when the 09s were coming out with the higher gearing. People didn't want to believe the loss of power would be noticeable but I've heard from serval sources that it is. But, for most folks it's a good trade. Most of these trucks don't get used to tow loads that put them at the 26,000 lb load. And even if they do they don't encounter that many hard climbs. Mine was 25,7?? on the scale at Pilot and when I first got it I took it west over several passes in the Rockies and even stock it pulled great. Passed everything going up the passes except maybe some of the 400TD Motor homes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 1
From: The Woodlands, TX
I don't really see what the big deal is about the EGTs. I know everyone says you have to keep the EGT down but my truck doesn't tell me what the temp is so why do I care?
My truck has 65K miles and is basically stock. I tow a 40 ft GN trailer loaded to my combined limit about 12-15 weekends per year. I have no complaints about the fuel mileage. The truck weighs 8500 lbs empty!
Should I be monitoring my EGT? I've considered some performance mods but have no urgency. I could use a bit more power when climbing hills with the trailer in tow but I don't have much confidence in the conflicting info that I read on the forums. Tuners, CAI systems, DPFD, downpipes, intercooler upgrades, etc???
My truck has 65K miles and is basically stock. I tow a 40 ft GN trailer loaded to my combined limit about 12-15 weekends per year. I have no complaints about the fuel mileage. The truck weighs 8500 lbs empty!
Should I be monitoring my EGT? I've considered some performance mods but have no urgency. I could use a bit more power when climbing hills with the trailer in tow but I don't have much confidence in the conflicting info that I read on the forums. Tuners, CAI systems, DPFD, downpipes, intercooler upgrades, etc???
Sustained high EGT temps can ruin or shorten the life of your turbos... Not a major concern for running stock, but should still be on your mind when towing heavy loads.
I think it's pretty unanimous that deleting the DPF can be a benefit for a healthy truck (Next to meticulous maintenance). A simple DPF delete (tuner) & pipes are sufficient. Many will recommend and aftermarket intake (CAI) to allow the engine to breather better. The rest is not a necessity, but I will say that they can and most likely will benefit. The one thing I would do before a CAC (Intercooler) is delete the EGR's.
Read read read. You will get mixed opinions on just about everything. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people on here and when it comes to generic questions regarding upgrades, modifications, etc, it has most likely been asked and answered several times.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
I appreciate the responses.
Why do I want to get rid of the EGR system? What are the benefits and side effects?
I will see if I can get my scan gauge to display the EGT.
Is it a safe assumption that a gear swap would be a smart first performance mod given that I have the 3.55s?
Why do I want to get rid of the EGR system? What are the benefits and side effects?
I will see if I can get my scan gauge to display the EGT.
Is it a safe assumption that a gear swap would be a smart first performance mod given that I have the 3.55s?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 1
From: The Woodlands, TX
I appreciate the responses.
Why do I want to get rid of the EGR system? What are the benefits and side effects?
I will see if I can get my scan gauge to display the EGT.
Is it a safe assumption that a gear swap would be a smart first performance mod given that I have the 3.55s?
Why do I want to get rid of the EGR system? What are the benefits and side effects?
I will see if I can get my scan gauge to display the EGT.
Is it a safe assumption that a gear swap would be a smart first performance mod given that I have the 3.55s?
B) EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculator. It recirculates exhaust gas back into the engine intake. That's pretty self explanatory that it can't be too good for engine longevity.
Benefits: less parts to fail, increased engine life, less weight, more room in the engine bay.
Side Effects: Happy Owner!
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
I appreciate the responses.
Why do I want to get rid of the EGR system? What are the benefits and side effects?
I will see if I can get my scan gauge to display the EGT.
Is it a safe assumption that a gear swap would be a smart first performance mod given that I have the 3.55s?
Why do I want to get rid of the EGR system? What are the benefits and side effects?
I will see if I can get my scan gauge to display the EGT.
Is it a safe assumption that a gear swap would be a smart first performance mod given that I have the 3.55s?
If you really want to clean things up then it would be something to look into.
IMHO a gear change to help with heavy towing would be helpful. But if you are light towing it would be of no benefit.
I have 3.73's and I find them to be the best all around gears. But 4.30's would be better for the heavyist towing. I am only at 23.6K GCWVR whereas Stanley is over 26K.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,788
Likes: 103
From: Georgia
I appreciate the responses.
Why do I want to get rid of the EGR system? What are the benefits and side effects?
I will see if I can get my scan gauge to display the EGT.
Is it a safe assumption that a gear swap would be a smart first performance mod given that I have the 3.55s?
Why do I want to get rid of the EGR system? What are the benefits and side effects?
I will see if I can get my scan gauge to display the EGT.
Is it a safe assumption that a gear swap would be a smart first performance mod given that I have the 3.55s?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
Hmmmm. All good information.
I am familiar with EGR from the rest of the automotive world I just didn't realize they were such a problem on the 6.4. I've disabled it on my 96 Cobra (racecar). So, I'm guessing the EGR cooler plumbs warm coolant from the radiator to a heat exchanger and cools hot exhaust before pumping it back into the turbo/intake stream?
So, for ~$2000, I'm decreasing (or removing) the likelihood of that system failing. Sounds like expensive insurance. I think I'll start by buying some fuel additive and seafoam engine cleaner.
I am familiar with EGR from the rest of the automotive world I just didn't realize they were such a problem on the 6.4. I've disabled it on my 96 Cobra (racecar). So, I'm guessing the EGR cooler plumbs warm coolant from the radiator to a heat exchanger and cools hot exhaust before pumping it back into the turbo/intake stream?
So, for ~$2000, I'm decreasing (or removing) the likelihood of that system failing. Sounds like expensive insurance. I think I'll start by buying some fuel additive and seafoam engine cleaner.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,213
Likes: 1
From: The Woodlands, TX
Hmmmm. All good information.
I am familiar with EGR from the rest of the automotive world I just didn't realize they were such a problem on the 6.4. I've disabled it on my 96 Cobra (racecar). So, I'm guessing the EGR cooler plumbs warm coolant from the radiator to a heat exchanger and cools hot exhaust before pumping it back into the turbo/intake stream?
So, for ~$2000, I'm decreasing (or removing) the likelihood of that system failing. Sounds like expensive insurance. I think I'll start by buying some fuel additive and seafoam engine cleaner.
I am familiar with EGR from the rest of the automotive world I just didn't realize they were such a problem on the 6.4. I've disabled it on my 96 Cobra (racecar). So, I'm guessing the EGR cooler plumbs warm coolant from the radiator to a heat exchanger and cools hot exhaust before pumping it back into the turbo/intake stream?
So, for ~$2000, I'm decreasing (or removing) the likelihood of that system failing. Sounds like expensive insurance. I think I'll start by buying some fuel additive and seafoam engine cleaner.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 90
From: SE. MA
A) EGR's in the 6.4 have a unacceptable failure rate.
B) EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculator. It recirculates exhaust gas back into the engine intake. That's pretty self explanatory that it can't be too good for engine longevity.
Benefits: less parts to fail, increased engine life, less weight, more room in the engine bay.
Side Effects: Happy Owner!
B) EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculator. It recirculates exhaust gas back into the engine intake. That's pretty self explanatory that it can't be too good for engine longevity.
Benefits: less parts to fail, increased engine life, less weight, more room in the engine bay.
Side Effects: Happy Owner!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
In talking with my tech last week about the EGR coolers, the ones he's seen that have failed are the horizontal ones that are right above the left exhaust manifold. He said he has had only two of the upright to fail, but several of the horizontal ones.
As far as deleting these coolers now, are there kits out there that disperse the pressure on throttle lift? Is the pressure vented somewhere else with these kits? I know it was a big concern originally when the guys here started trying to do this. Which is the better kit out there and why?
I've deleted the PDF on my work truck
but still haven't had the guts to do it to my F350 as I only have 18K miles on her. I know, I know- it would run better, pull better, last longer and better fuel mileage with them gone, but still hung up over the warranty thing as of now.
As far as deleting these coolers now, are there kits out there that disperse the pressure on throttle lift? Is the pressure vented somewhere else with these kits? I know it was a big concern originally when the guys here started trying to do this. Which is the better kit out there and why?
I've deleted the PDF on my work truck
but still haven't had the guts to do it to my F350 as I only have 18K miles on her. I know, I know- it would run better, pull better, last longer and better fuel mileage with them gone, but still hung up over the warranty thing as of now.