Looking for some basic 7.3 performance mods
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Junior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
Where is a good place to get the 3 important gauges? How difficult are they to install? I bet they is a tutorial on here somewhere...
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Stewart
Master of Strokes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 25
From: CA
http://www.riffraffdiesel.com/mm5/RE...ISSPRO_EV2.pdf
Here is the kit with every part you need including a painted pillar pod.
Riffraff Diesel: RDP Triple Pillar Gauge Kit
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,993
Likes: 2
From: Bend, OR
Clay has good instructions on his site.
Isspro EV2 are some of the best gauges money can buy...
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,887
Likes: 778
From: SoCal/Wyoming
I just installed a four pillar set last Friday and it took us about 4-5 hours. Unfortunately, I received one of the dud fuel pressure sending units so I had to send off for another one but the install went rather well. The one issue I did have occurred with the transmission temp wires. The wires are about half as long as the other gauges so I had to place my Trans temp closest to the dash. I could have added more wire to put the gauge higher on the pillar but I decided against it. I am surprised at how high my EGTs get just driving from San Diego to Temecula. A few decent size hills but not towing anything I was hitting 1100 degrees on some of the hills.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Nobody mentioned basic stuff, like the Hutch mod. We had one member here drop his fuel tank to do a Hutch mod on his EX and found an electric fuel pump in the tank - which nobody here had seen before. If you only have one pair of wires (fuel gauge sender) going to your fuel tank, I would strongly recommend a Hutch mod (maybe a Harpoon mod while you're in there) and installing an external fuel filter with hose and clamps. I had a ton of air in my fuel (poor design on fuel connector to tank) before I did as I suggest here and that shortens the life of the injectors and the fuel pump. FRx would clean up any air that does get into the system. The Hutch/FRx combo gave me a a quieter engine, a litle more power, and improved reliability.
What have I missed?
- If you chip, the 4" exhaust really helps. If you don't, it won't. Rule of thumb on the 4" exhaust (from my experience): Once you get over 22 PSI boost, you really need it.
- I have the Ford AIS intake and it's quiet, but it's a little expensive.
- Plugging the red line on the turbo has helped many people, stock or otherwise.
- My next mod is to install a recirculating oil filter, to remove the soot from the oil and extend the life of the engine and each oil change.
- I have the ISSPRO EV2 gauges. Yes... they are pricey, but I like the alarm feature, they are crazy easy to install, and they match the appearance of the stock dash.
- The shift kit will very likely extend the life of the transmission. I lost my stock tranny while doing something stupid and I bumped up to the HD4R100 to prevent the next failure and I learned the proper use of an automatic while towing.
- The last link in my signature has helpful information on the 7.3L. I strongly suggest getting everything under the hood to 100% - this helped my fuel economy greatly. I bought AE (with the Ford bundle) and the truck manual to achieve this, but AE is not for the technically challenged. The AE approach is expensive up front, but it has paid me back many times over.
What have I missed?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
I wonder if anyone has ever TOLD K&N about this?? I've heard nothing but bad about their filters for almost 5 years.....even took them out of my gassers after hearing about the problem with 7.3s.....
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Junior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
Good info... So many things to consider.
I'm getting 13.4 (haven't hand calculated yet) mpg according to my truck. I do lot of city and short trips so that probably why. Only mod is the magnaflow exhaust. This sound normal?
I'm getting 13.4 (haven't hand calculated yet) mpg according to my truck. I do lot of city and short trips so that probably why. Only mod is the magnaflow exhaust. This sound normal?
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
There are a lot of things that affect mileage. Everybody drives a little different. You really need to hand calculate it to get an accurate number from what I've been told about the computer monitor in the trucks. I get around 15mpg in my 02 in my signature. On trips it will do better, around 17 or so.
Tugly's post above is right on as to getting the best mileage, and the best running vehicle. A chip may help you, some have noticed an increase, I didn't.
Tugly's post above is right on as to getting the best mileage, and the best running vehicle. A chip may help you, some have noticed an increase, I didn't.
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