So, later this week I'm going to look at an '07 550 with 130k. Supposedly mechanically stock, no tuner, nothing.

It's a flatbed with no 5th wheel hitch, so I'm guessing it was a fleet truck for someone.

I've read for a few hours on here, and think I have a rough idea of what to look for as far as the known failure points.

So the info I'm looking for is the things to do to it once I get it home.

I'm in Washington State, and emissions testing is done the first of the year.

My main interest is longevity first, followed by a little bump in performance and (not likely) mileage. I have an '08 250 with a 6.8, so obviously I cant be TOO concerned with MPG...

Immediate plans in my head are:

Tuner
EGR Delete
Turbo back exhaust
Blue Spring

I think the last two are an easy enough decision to make.
What tuner and delete kit do you guys like? I don't need the absolute best, but I sure don't want some import delete kit that will fail in a year.


Thanks in advance, guys! I appreciate it

 

I will prepare for the backlash that is going to come from my response but these are my experiences and opinions. I currently own a 2014 F-250 6.7 that is bone stock except for a larger engine Oil Cooler and those item in my signature, 150K miles in 5 years and she sat at the house for 2017 while I was working in Argentina and been working in Mexico since June. My previous truck was an 2008 6.4 which had 160K miles on it when I traded it in as the HPOP was going out. Prior to this was a 2004 With a V10 and befor that a 1998 with a 460 V8, I cried when the tree landed on it and killed it. I've worked as a medium duty truck mechanic, heavy equipment mechanic, turbine specialist in the Navy, power plants, refineries, gas and fluid transmission systems, and just all around gear head.

I would recommend not doing a delete, especially if you are where they test. It could cost you if you fail + they are tightening up the testing and inspection portions. EPA is getting more stringent that's why it's getting harder to find tuners with a delete program and a lot of the delete kits are no longer available. It's already starting to be enforced in some areas that if you have deleted your truck dealerships will not buy your vehicle even for trade in as they no become responsible to restore all of the emissions equipment. This is also why some one decided they wanted the exhaust system out from under my truck, a used exhaust system for the 6.7 goes for $5000.00 and cost $12,000 new.

Contrary to what some people think, people a lot smarter than us wrote these programs to maximize performance, extend service life, and meet the emissions standards. When you change from these something will and does suffer, most likely the life expectancy. Just like in the old days with hot rods, more power means shorter life. That's why sports cars are still tinker toys. If you watched Diesel Brothers they got nailed by the government or something like that and why you now don't see them out Rollin Coal on the show and in the lead in they say they only recommend government approved engine and emissions modification.

That all said do all you are comfortable with and if it makes you happy go for it.

This has been my experience

 

Thanks for the reply EDC. That actually explains a lot. I was seeing a number of old threads with the recommended delete kits being no longer available.

And I saw some threads elsewhere as recent as last week saying some tuners, once updated, no longer support EGR delete options.

I think I'll take a much harder look if and when I buy the truck I have in mind. I'll know Friday morning. The saving grace is it's an '07, so if I'm understanding what I've read correctly, the failure rate for the end of run models is significantly lower.

 

We went through the same pains in the late 70s and through the 90s with catalytic converters on cars.

Don't let what I said deter you from the truck if it's in good shape, runs well and most importantly you like the truck. You can still get a tuner and run a milder tow tune and not have a major impact on longevity. A lot of people run tunes that change transmission shift points for added pulling power and or slight increases in fuel flow which helps on acceleration and they are still getting high miles on their engines with no ill effects.

Simply putting a larger exhaust will help with power and mileage, but not a terrible lot. Best thing for millage is ease up on the go pedal, If I keep the speed down on mine, 60 to 65 Mph I see 16 to 18 MPG on the highway empty and 13 to 14 pulling my 10,000 lbs travel trailer. Let me hit 70 pulling and it drops to 10 or less.

You can do the blanking plate for the EGR valve, this would keep everything in place for the visual inspection but be aware that this could increase the NOX levels and cause you to fail that part on emissions. By doing the blanking plate that keeps the valve in the electrical and should not require the delete but don't quote me on that. If you get a free retest then you could pull the plate back out and go back or get it tested this cycle and do the blanking plate after. Nox is a by product of high temperature combustion, so the they inject small amounts of spent exhaust that cools the temperature and decreases NOX levels

You must be around Seattle or Spokane as we don't have testing out on the coast but I expect we will in the next few years, Oregon already does in Astoria.

 

The only thing to delete on a 6.0 is the EGR cooler as they don't have what the 6.7s have...the "rocketship" of the SCR/DEF/DPF if I'm correct. Bullet Proof Diesel, where the expression "bulletproof" came from, has all kinds of goodies for the 6 liter. They have their own designed EGR coolers that are clog proof I believe and have a lifetime warranty. Good luck. If it were my 6.0, I'd just buy one of those EGR coolers and buy a legal tuner. Good luck with your decision.