I'm the newbie
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New User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Gulfport, Ms
I'm the newbie
Hello gang. I've been reading the posts for hours now. Good info. I just bought my 1st Ford truck. 01' F250 6spd 7.3L Powerstroke XLT w/71,000 miles. It has the 5th wheel etc. Immaculate truck. Gave $19,500. Sounded good to me after some other prices. 1st question is what RPM's should I run in back and forth to work for economy mode (book says about 1500). What RPM's for pulling a 16' flatbed trailer with a couple 4 wheelers and generator etc.? Does everyone here advise to get the "chip mods". Any general info much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,136
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From: Scenic Wisconsin
I'm the newbie
Hey - glad you found the site - it's great, isn't it?
My '02 is set up pretty much the same as yours but no 5th wheel. At 60, the tach shows around 1700 and it purrs like a kitten. I just got back from a fairly long drive (250 miles) at around 72 and she ran at about 2100. I have been trying to keep it at around 1700 or less in city driving and it seems to do fine. I have noticed that you can let it get as low as around 1000 rpm and it will still accelerate from there okay.
Yes - get a chip or a tuner, you won't believe the performance difference! And make sure you buy from Ken to help keep this site going.
My '02 is set up pretty much the same as yours but no 5th wheel. At 60, the tach shows around 1700 and it purrs like a kitten. I just got back from a fairly long drive (250 miles) at around 72 and she ran at about 2100. I have been trying to keep it at around 1700 or less in city driving and it seems to do fine. I have noticed that you can let it get as low as around 1000 rpm and it will still accelerate from there okay.
Yes - get a chip or a tuner, you won't believe the performance difference! And make sure you buy from Ken to help keep this site going.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
I'm the newbie
Welcome aboard. 
For best milage keep the rpm's under 2000 as often as possible, and keep the EGT's (exhaust gas temperature) under 600.
I would recommend a set of gauges (boost and EGT) be your first mod. 1. because you can drive for milage better off an EGT gauge than you can a tach. 2. some of the more extreme chips can cause enough heat to damage components. 3. They can alert you to a problem before it becomes a problem, and 4. They look cool hanging off the A-pillar.
For best milage keep the rpm's under 2000 as often as possible, and keep the EGT's (exhaust gas temperature) under 600.
I would recommend a set of gauges (boost and EGT) be your first mod. 1. because you can drive for milage better off an EGT gauge than you can a tach. 2. some of the more extreme chips can cause enough heat to damage components. 3. They can alert you to a problem before it becomes a problem, and 4. They look cool hanging off the A-pillar.
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New User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Gulfport, Ms
I'm the newbie
I'm a little confused about the chips. It seems it's mostly for speed and not so much for pulling. I keep reading that it's ok to pull as long as you take it easy etc and watch the EGT's. I primarily bought the powerstroke for overall transportation but do want to use it to it's full potential as far as towing etc. Also do ya'll install your own gauges or do you have someone else do it (I'm not sure I'm up to drilling holes in my manifold etc lol). Since I don't really know "anything" as far as fixing a powerstroke I wouldn't want to add something that would make it less reliable. Any information would be great. Take care.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Oxford, Alabama
I'm the newbie
First of all Welcome. This is an awesome site, a lot of good folks and information. I'm also big into longivity and durability. As far as I can tell a 4 inch exhaust and Intake are in keeping with these goals, they help keep the Exhaust gas temps down and increase the torque and horsepower, which in turn lets the truck pull easier. The EGT guage and Trans temp guage are almost mandatory from my point of view. I have done everything except the Trans temp guage and the Programer, both are in the works. Like you I'm also not a mechanic, wish that I was, so keeping the vehicle running and in good condition is extreamly important.
RPM's are directly related to the gearing, mine is the 373 and at 75 I'm running about 2100. The 4X4's usually have the 410 or so and run a little higher. It will purr like a fat cat running around 2 grand and feels like its just loafing, I do like that feeling.
Again Welcome, great site here.
RPM's are directly related to the gearing, mine is the 373 and at 75 I'm running about 2100. The 4X4's usually have the 410 or so and run a little higher. It will purr like a fat cat running around 2 grand and feels like its just loafing, I do like that feeling.
Again Welcome, great site here.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2001
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I'm the newbie
and keep the EGT's (exhaust gas temperature) under 600.
I
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Why do you recommend such a low temperature?
Supposedly you get the best mileage at 600 or lower due to less fuel being burned. Low EGT = less fuel useage.
I
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Why do you recommend such a low temperature?
Supposedly you get the best mileage at 600 or lower due to less fuel being burned. Low EGT = less fuel useage.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Western Colorado USA
I'm the newbie
Then what he's saying is, less throttle equals less fuel consumed, thereby making less heat.
Diesel engines are more efficient at hotter temps because your getting better combustion of the fuel. Low RPM's and high EGT's is where your going to get your best milage, as long as your not blowing black smoke.
Diesel engines are more efficient at hotter temps because your getting better combustion of the fuel. Low RPM's and high EGT's is where your going to get your best milage, as long as your not blowing black smoke.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
I'm the newbie
Then what he's saying is, less throttle equals less fuel consumed, thereby making less heat.
Diesel engines are more efficient at hotter temps because your getting better combustion of the fuel.
Low RPM's and high EGT's is where your going to get your best milage, as long as your not blowing black smoke.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Western Colorado USA
I'm the newbie
Originally posted by cookie88
Agreed. Hotter engine temps, not hotter exhaust temps.
Agreed. Hotter engine temps, not hotter exhaust temps.
It doesn't matter what the engine temp is, what matters is the combustion chamber temperature. A hotter combustion chamber equals hotter exhaust temperatures.
So pulling the trailer around all the time to keep my EGT's up will net me better milage than running around empty?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
I'm the newbie
It doesn't matter what the engine temp is
what matters is the combustion chamber temperature.
Go for it, let us know how it goes.
.Have a good one
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
I'm the newbie
Maybe I'm just restating whay y'all have already said, but I've heard that in diesel engines, their peak for thermal efficiency is 600*. It takes a disproportionate amount of fuel to maintain a higher operating temperature than the benefit of the extra power. By driving with the pyro on 600*, you are maximizing the fuel usage.