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Sep 9, 2012 | 12:02 PM

shadows4

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 462

Likes: 5

From: Kansas City, Mo

7.3 Mods

Hi all. This is my first diesel. After much reading I am more confused. I use my truck mainly to tow a 31ft. TT. Hoping to move to a 5er in the future. What I would like to ask is this, what mods to a stock truck would be the most cost effective for a little more power and if possible fuel mileage increase. I am thinking a CAI, Exhaust and maybe a mild tune. Any opinions as to how to achieve these goals would be appreciated. Thanks, John

Sep 9, 2012 | 12:47 PM

sand_fiend

Laughing Gas

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1,098

Likes: 6

From: Ventura co.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadows4

On a stock truck. I would install a Wix 6637 air filter first. Then gauges. Boost, exhaust gas and trans temp. Then 4 Inch turbo back exhaust. Then a custom tuner like DP of PHP. Both will make custom tunes for your truck and what you want out of it.

You may only get about a mile or two per gallon, but the power gain is WAY WORTH IT.. your truck will come alive.

I did it in that order and was done for just under $1000. This is all easy, do it yourself work and save $$ on not having to have the stuff installed.
there are very good write ups on how to install these things on this site

You can get custom tow tunes and custom economy tunes, The 80 hp tow tune Rocks. i can go up hills at 70 mph that i could only go up at 50 mph before.
I tow a toyhauler at around 9k.

Don't waste your time on a super chip or other store bought tuners. thay are all pre programmed and cant be changed. A custom tuner can be change as you change things on your truck for around the same price..

Sep 9, 2012 | 12:53 PM

timmyboy76

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 7,793

Likes: 50

^^^ what sand said, and also airbags.

Sep 9, 2012 | 01:12 PM

CSIPSD

Postmaster

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 4,993

Likes: 2

From: Bend, OR

Please dont mod your truck in the mistaken idea that you will gain MPG... You will be disapointed.

Sep 9, 2012 | 01:18 PM

pin8246

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 947

Likes: 0

From: Glen Rose, Texas

I would say to make sure all maitenance and issues are up to date and fixed before any mods start coming into play.

Sep 9, 2012 | 02:00 PM

ScaldedDog

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1,462

Likes: 158

From: Sedalia, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSIPSD

Please dont mod your truck in the mistaken idea that you will gain MPG... You will be disapointed.

Joe's right. You may very well gain some power and improve drivability, but the mileage won't change much, and certainly not enough to justify the expense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pin8246

I would say to make sure all maitenance and issues are up to date and fixed before any mods start coming into play.

This, along with checking for boost and exhaust leaks, improve tranny cooling, etc.

Mark

Sep 9, 2012 | 02:50 PM

Tugly

Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 18,849

Likes: 179

From: Puget Sound

I know a little something about chasing MPG. Get everything on your engine and transmission to 100% operational. You'd be amazed what some obscure sensor malfunction can do to your power and economy. I use a mild HP economy tune for daily driving.

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Sep 9, 2012 | 07:05 PM

shadows4

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 462

Likes: 5

From: Kansas City, Mo

Thanks for all the replies so far. I forgot to add that I do have a ScanGuage installed and a 6.0 transmission cooler should be here sometime this week. All ready have bought all the clamps and fittings to install it. So far I am seeing about 17-17.5 hwy and 15-16 back and forth to work. I tried to monitor the boost with the Scan gauge but I am not sure if it is right as the most boost I have seen with it is 15.5 wide open throttle. Tows the TT trailer better than the Excursion did. Much more stable. Loving it so far. Thanks, John

Sep 9, 2012 | 07:23 PM

#10

pin8246

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 947

Likes: 0

From: Glen Rose, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadows4

I dont know what my boost is, but reading on here a lot, 15.5 seems kind of low.

Sep 9, 2012 | 07:32 PM

#11

Tugly

Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 18,849

Likes: 179

From: Puget Sound

Scanguage won't help you there when you get things fixed - it reads from the MAP through the OBDII port and it's only good up to a certain point before it's maxed out. I get 22 PSI handily in stock tune - which is where the stock tune defuels to prevent going higher. I get 28 with my 60 economy tune, and I pop over 30 PSI in 80e tune before the wastegate deflates it back to 30. 30 is max for a stock turbo, and this is all on tired stock injectors with 260K miles on them.

Stock tune
Stock Tune 4in Exhaust.MP4 - YouTube

80e tune

80e 0 80 - YouTube