OK, I'm back in a 7.3 after a "nightmare" run with a 6.0 (heads, head gaskets and all the other 6.0 issues).

I picked up a very nice 1996 CC F350 4x4, Auto and 4:10 gears. It has the 6637 filter, 5" exhaust (I know, big - but it was on when I bought it), Beans 160cc (stage 1) injectors and a rebuilt turbo with Banks 1.0 wheel and no intercooler. It also has the 6 position TS style chip with Beans tunes. The tunes on the chip are older (bought in 2007) and Beans claims they have much better tunes available now. I don't know for sure, but guessing the HPOP is stock since I have receipts for all work done on the truck and nothing about a HPOP being replaced.

Here's the deal: The truck starts/runs fantastic with great power, but the exhaust temps run hot when towing on any position of the chip. EGT's are usually 900-1000 while cruising and easily spike to 1200+ when on even the smallest hill. My toyhauler weighs about 12K fully loaded.

Here's the question: How many of you tow heavy and are tuned without an intercooler and have their exhaust temps stay under control and who's tunes are you running? The guy I bought it from did give me a 7.3 intercooler and hoses, so the expensive stuff is there and I have the mechanical ability to fab/install the intercooler but right now would rather just send the chip in for re-flash. I'll likely go after the intercooler next summer...

Thanks for the input!

Here's the machine:

 

That 1.0 housing will increase your EGT's especially with stage I's. whenever I upgrade my injectors I'm swapping back to my stock turbo exhaust housing.

 

Yeah I read this earlier this morning and didnt want to chime in at the time since our setups differ greatly. All I know is I have stock injectors and I can reach 1200* F when Im towing or getting on it hard.
I know that you dont want to reach 1400* for more than a split second or you risk damaging your pistons. Or at least 1400*F is what i recall the number being....

My initial thought was since you have upgraded injectors.. that you can reach 1400* and beyond pretty easily. And as splatts said that smaller (I think its smaller than stock) housing it wont help your EGT cause either.
If you got a larger turbo overall perhaps you could safely run no intercooler, but with that current setup I would imagine you would have to lay off the skinny pedal when pulling that 12k.

 

I pull 16K and have always had EGT problems. The IC knocked it down 100* and water injection another 100*. I can get over 1400 with out even trying hard. I put the D66 on from Beans and got Beans tunes without helping much. I'm starting fresh on a stock engine now and am going to put on a s366 from Irate and its suppose to help alot with high EGT's. We will see!!

 

Just from the bit you have stated I would think you have a cause for the high EGT's. Even with and intercooler when I compare my stage 1 stick temps with yours they are not even close. You might want to leak test the system and make sure your not loosing boost... yes the housing will make a bit of a difference but with an intercooler I never see over 600 cruising, which would be 750 max without an IC. Your temps seem a bit high, but tuning could be a part of it.

I would most def put an IC on it. With stock sticks I could never push 1200 at the manifold in any tune wot towing anywhere from 6-14k. I just installed stage 1 sticks and I have really noticed a difference in temp jump...maybe 200 degrees accross the board. I have not had the chip reburnt yet, nor have I installed the T500 either. Hopefully with that combination we can get it down a tad.

Your temps seem rather high though. Get it reburned an an IC installed before you horse it too much... I just think of lower temps adding additional life to the motor...

If you haven't consider it I'd run H20 injection too...really did help with the temps as well. With H20 I saw 200-300 degrees difference in temps at the turbo and manifolds, on average around 250 drop. Def worth it in my book for the cost.

 

Thanks for the good info guys. Keep in mind, I have had several diesel trucks (and many friends with every diesel under the sun). I fully understand what EGT numbers are too high and the damage that can be caused (thus this post). The intake system is tight (no leaks). I did forget to mention the truck shows definite signs of over fueling with the tunes it has - that's why I'm looking for info on what people are running and hopefully the success with their tunes.

So....that being said, has anyone running a non-intercooled 7.3 with similar upgrades had success with custom tunes to keep EGT's under control. If so, then who is doing the tuning you like the best.

Also, the intercooler will be installed, just not right now.

Thanks!

 

I would definately get your chip redone. Maybe double check the uppipes. Not sure if u did but just a thought. Mine were so bad that my y collector was able to be pulled off. Lol. I found this out when I was installing the 1.0 housing and an intercooler so I couldn't get accurate EGT comparisons. I think a chip reburn and get a stock turbo housing and u will be a happy camper. Just my .02

 

I have Gearhead tunes and SD AD injectors. I can hit 1400 in my hot street with about 6000 pounds up a very good incline and thats all it will hit on a 2000 deg gauge. In the tow tune it will stay around 1250. I can't remember what it hit with 11000 or so as that has been a while. With my stock AA's I had to try really hard to get to 1300 deg no matter tune or load.

 

You reallyshould keep pornographic images such as that OFF the internet! Sheesh...its gonna be a long night...seriously,nice rig! My,and many, favorite color!
I would think that a hpop upgrade would be in order...

 

Well, hope I didn't "offend" anyone . I've thought about the HPOP too since it's one of the few things I actually don't have a receipt for!

@bad12jr: Thanks - I've ran Gearhead tunes on my 6.0 and was happy with them. Didn't even think about looking at them for the TS chip.

After doing some checking, it looks like about $250 to re-burn some good custom tunes, so want to make sure I get the best guys out there.

 

Very nice truck!! I have nearly the same mods minus the stage 1s and I have a DP Tuner chip. I tow heavy, last load was 20k, and I don't have near the EGT problems. I also tow in the 4k to 9k elevations and I keep my chip in the 100hp perf tune. It sounds like you have a boost leak (exhaust). I had a small boost leak for quite a while and fought EGTs. When I discovered it and fixed it, the difference was amazing. I couldn't even see or hear the leak for several thousand miles.

 

Well that stage 1 mod would be a big difference in the EGTs you are seeing Chris and what he will see.
Just my .02
I think you'll want an intercooler lol

 

BTS reburns are about 100 bucks, but the turn around isn't the swiftest. Jim can burn PHP and beans. You might want to e mail him about pricing.

 

Last year I was grossing out around 20-21k climbing 8-10% grades. EGTs NEVER went over 1,100.

I have a cali truck which has 120cc injectors stock
No I/C
Stock HPOP
4" exhaust(3"DP)
6637 intake
DP tuner with a TOW tune


When I 1st got the truck Had similar issues that you are having. I sent the chip back to Jody with everything I had done, what I to, what gears ,etc.

Night and day difference after I got the chip back

This past summer, I added a I/C and T500HPOP, I cant wait to load the truck Up and see what it does now

 

Nice Brad! Im curious is that with the probe at the manifold or after the turbo?