Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Stage 2 Split Shot Smoke

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 11:15 AM
  #1  
Nabors's Avatar
Nabors
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
10 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Stage 2 Split Shot Smoke

Hey everybody,
I'm planning my build and this is the only thing I come across that I have a question about. What will the smoke output be like with stage 2 split shots? Would it be okay to drive around on (i drive like a grandpa) for a little (less than a year driving once a week or every two weeks) until I get custom tunes and the GTP38r? I know there will be smoke but if i baby it will it stay manageable?
Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 11:31 AM
  #2  
HKusp's Avatar
HKusp
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
Club FTE Gold Member
It really depends on your tuning. If properly tuned, it won't smoke hardly at all.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 11:33 AM
  #3  
Nabors's Avatar
Nabors
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
10 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
I mean in the time before I can get the proper tuning. Since I'm on a budget, and doing it in stages, the tunes (PHP) will come a little after that. The way I drive, I keep her under 1500 in the city. I don't want to smoke out an intersection every time I try to accelerate.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 11:38 AM
  #4  
HKusp's Avatar
HKusp
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
Club FTE Gold Member
Stage 2 split shots before you can pay for tuning...hmmmm. I would wait and do them together. That's just my opinion. Keeping the RPM's low and lugging the engine is where you will see more smoke, not in the upper RPM ranges.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 11:40 AM
  #5  
Nabors's Avatar
Nabors
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
10 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Haha I didn't think about that. I'll hold off until both can go in together. Before that, I have planned a 6.0 transmission cooler, upgraded valve body, shift kit, and torque converter, gtp38r.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 01:19 PM
  #6  
JOHN2001's Avatar
JOHN2001
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
That sounds like a good list of things to be done before you upgrade sticks
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 01:32 PM
  #7  
Nabors's Avatar
Nabors
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
10 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
My reasoning is I should make sure the rest of the truck and the weak points are nice and healthy before I do any major power adders. The 7.3 is the strong point in the equation. A cooler transmission and lower EGT's won't hurt the truck at all!
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 01:44 PM
  #8  
JOHN2001's Avatar
JOHN2001
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
Originally Posted by Nabors
My reasoning is I should make sure the rest of the truck and the weak points are nice and healthy before I do any major power adders. The 7.3 is the strong point in the equation. A cooler transmission and lower EGT's won't hurt the truck at all!
You don't need reasoning. This is the order things should be done. Make sure everything is ready for the added power.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 06:39 PM
  #9  
Tugly's Avatar
Tugly
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Before powering up, I did as much as I could to get the truck to 100% condition, plus a little extra to take the yank on the chain from the beast in front (160/100 stage IIs). Welll.... That was the plan, anyway. The first casualty was the factory intake plenum seal - the 38R played a game of Three Little Pigs with it, and guess who played the role of the Big Bad Wolf. My HD4R100 is telegraphing the twist to the tail just fine, but I'm investigating axle wrap and driveline vibration (possibly a bent driveline - for the second time).

I hope I don't frighten you with my horror story, but if you are determined to power up to the level I have... be mentally (and financially) prepared to finish what you started if your luck lives in the same zip-code as mine.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 08:58 PM
  #10  
indyF-350psd's Avatar
indyF-350psd
you can't fix stupid!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 2
Club FTE Silver Member

dont get "stage 2" split shots.....go with single shots whatever you pick....
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 09:12 PM
  #11  
Nicmike's Avatar
Nicmike
Veteran/Sheepdog
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
Club FTE Silver Member

Bill, that is what I was told by a very popular tuning company when I asked about stage 2 split-shots. They said "don't do it" in so many words...
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2013 | 10:42 PM
  #12  
Nabors's Avatar
Nabors
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
10 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
I'm going to hold off on the major power adders until I finish engineering school and can front the bills for building it correctly. Right now, I'm going to stick with what makes the truck and transmission happier. There's no rush right now to do it wrong and have to pay for my truck repairs AND college. It's more financially responsible to hold off until I have the means to do it how it should be done.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hanklin
N. California Chapter
16
Sep 17, 2012 07:08 PM
PEI
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
24
Feb 8, 2012 07:56 AM
Blueovals&Blacksmoke
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
5
Sep 25, 2008 06:22 PM
Lance_I
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
13
Oct 10, 2006 02:41 PM
eric777
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
18
Jul 14, 2006 05:01 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:28 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE