Upgrade/mod Suggestions
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Upgrade/mod Suggestions
Hey guys,
So I got my bone stock 2007 Navigator L a few days ago and so far, I’m loving it. Moving out of a 2002 F350 7.3.
anyway, I’m looking for suggestions on what to mod or upgrade. My goal is to keep it mostly stock but do a few things to improve the fuel economy and reliability.
1. Tuner/programmer - something simple to improve fuel mileage
2. Filter - stick with stock or upgrade?
3. Anything that needs to be addressed that is known to cause issues that would effect reliability?
All input appreciated
So I got my bone stock 2007 Navigator L a few days ago and so far, I’m loving it. Moving out of a 2002 F350 7.3.
anyway, I’m looking for suggestions on what to mod or upgrade. My goal is to keep it mostly stock but do a few things to improve the fuel economy and reliability.
1. Tuner/programmer - something simple to improve fuel mileage
2. Filter - stick with stock or upgrade?
3. Anything that needs to be addressed that is known to cause issues that would effect reliability?
All input appreciated
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Just ordered an SCT X4 from 5 Star. Spoke with them over the phone and they were very helpful in answering all my questions (believe me I had plenty lol). Seems like really good people.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 177
Likes: 15
From: Decatur AL
Yea, Mike Butler runs a 1st class operation. The one thing that I would add is that I personally stick with the OEM air intake. Flows plenty enough air for you and get a WIX air filter. Not sure you will get fuel mileage never tuned for that. I run an 87 octane daily tow on my wife's 2013. Got rid of the DBW feel and improved trans shifting. I run a very similar set up on my 2011 6.2 F250 with no complaints at all.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Yea, Mike Butler runs a 1st class operation. The one thing that I would add is that I personally stick with the OEM air intake. Flows plenty enough air for you and get a WIX air filter. Not sure you will get fuel mileage never tuned for that. I run an 87 octane daily tow on my wife's 2013. Got rid of the DBW feel and improved trans shifting. I run a very similar set up on my 2011 6.2 F250 with no complaints at all.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
So after scouring the forums, here is my initial list of planned mods/fixes are:
1. Programmer - purchased SCT custom tuned by 5 star
2. Replace Spark Plugs - looking into where I can find TSBs and which spark plugs to replace the old ones with. Also going to order extraction tool - Lisle 65600 part # and get some carb cleaner to spray them down good before removing
On Edit, I found the TSB - http://grufmanbil.se/webshop/mektips/tsb08-07-06.pdf
However, it doesn't mention a part number for the new plugs. Not a big deal since I'm assuming the replacements should just the standard 1-piece plugs, but could be wrong. Can anyone confirm?
3. Replace air filter - stock WIX replacement
4. Replace Heater Hose - Dorman 626-540
5. Swap to good Synthetic - is there a specific brand that is a favorite here? I know for my F350 7.3L, almost everyone seemed to use Rotella T6 Synthetic.
Let me know what you guys think
1. Programmer - purchased SCT custom tuned by 5 star
2. Replace Spark Plugs - looking into where I can find TSBs and which spark plugs to replace the old ones with. Also going to order extraction tool - Lisle 65600 part # and get some carb cleaner to spray them down good before removing
On Edit, I found the TSB - http://grufmanbil.se/webshop/mektips/tsb08-07-06.pdf
However, it doesn't mention a part number for the new plugs. Not a big deal since I'm assuming the replacements should just the standard 1-piece plugs, but could be wrong. Can anyone confirm?
3. Replace air filter - stock WIX replacement
4. Replace Heater Hose - Dorman 626-540
5. Swap to good Synthetic - is there a specific brand that is a favorite here? I know for my F350 7.3L, almost everyone seemed to use Rotella T6 Synthetic.
Let me know what you guys think
Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 330
Likes: 6
I would use the Motorcraft stock spark plugs - even though they are 2 piece.
I change plugs around 50,000 miles. The old plugs are still good but they can get stuck if left in too long.
The threads are not the problem, it is below them that collects carbon in the hole surrounding the lower part of the plug.
What works for me is: Change them with the engine cold. Break them loose about 1/8 of a turn and shoot some carburetor cleaner down the hole. Wait a little while. Next start turning them back and forth until they get loose. This will break up and dissolve the carbon.
Note: Nothing will penetrate past the spark plug seat until they are loosened a little bit.
Richard (2007 Navigator)
I change plugs around 50,000 miles. The old plugs are still good but they can get stuck if left in too long.
The threads are not the problem, it is below them that collects carbon in the hole surrounding the lower part of the plug.
What works for me is: Change them with the engine cold. Break them loose about 1/8 of a turn and shoot some carburetor cleaner down the hole. Wait a little while. Next start turning them back and forth until they get loose. This will break up and dissolve the carbon.
Note: Nothing will penetrate past the spark plug seat until they are loosened a little bit.
Richard (2007 Navigator)
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
I would use the Motorcraft stock spark plugs - even though they are 2 piece.
I change plugs around 50,000 miles. The old plugs are still good but they can get stuck if left in too long.
The threads are not the problem, it is below them that collects carbon in the hole surrounding the lower part of the plug.
What works for me is: Change them with the engine cold. Break them loose about 1/8 of a turn and shoot some carburetor cleaner down the hole. Wait a little while. Next start turning them back and forth until they get loose. This will break up and dissolve the carbon.
Note: Nothing will penetrate past the spark plug seat until they are loosened a little bit.
Richard (2007 Navigator)
I change plugs around 50,000 miles. The old plugs are still good but they can get stuck if left in too long.
The threads are not the problem, it is below them that collects carbon in the hole surrounding the lower part of the plug.
What works for me is: Change them with the engine cold. Break them loose about 1/8 of a turn and shoot some carburetor cleaner down the hole. Wait a little while. Next start turning them back and forth until they get loose. This will break up and dissolve the carbon.
Note: Nothing will penetrate past the spark plug seat until they are loosened a little bit.
Richard (2007 Navigator)
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Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 330
Likes: 6
As far as I know Ford has revised the Motorcraft plugs but they are still 2 piece. Champion is the only one piece plug replacement that I have ever read about. The Champion plugs do not last as long as the Motorcraft ones do.
I have changed spark plugs twice and none of them broke. I was really worried the first time and was prepared to buy the Lisle kit if needed.
My Navigator gets 18-20 mpg driving at 70 mph while driving from So Cal to Seattle, Wa. That's a 2,500 round trip summer or winter. I think Navigators are great road cars. I don't check the mileage around town but I know it isn't very good.
If I could drive 50-60 mph on level ground the mpg would be 22-24 mpg. Not possible to drive like that in California because either it's too slow or too fast for traffic flow.
My odometer is at 97,500 now. I use 5w-30 Mobile 1 Annual engine oil and a Mobile 1 extended oil filter.
I haven't looked to modify the tune so I can't give any information on that.
Richard
I have changed spark plugs twice and none of them broke. I was really worried the first time and was prepared to buy the Lisle kit if needed.
My Navigator gets 18-20 mpg driving at 70 mph while driving from So Cal to Seattle, Wa. That's a 2,500 round trip summer or winter. I think Navigators are great road cars. I don't check the mileage around town but I know it isn't very good.
If I could drive 50-60 mph on level ground the mpg would be 22-24 mpg. Not possible to drive like that in California because either it's too slow or too fast for traffic flow.
My odometer is at 97,500 now. I use 5w-30 Mobile 1 Annual engine oil and a Mobile 1 extended oil filter.
I haven't looked to modify the tune so I can't give any information on that.
Richard
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Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 177
Likes: 15
From: Decatur AL
Pull your air intake up. unbolt the 4 bolts that hold it down or in, unplug the harness, clean with throttle body cleaner and a bottle brush, put it back together. Literally that simple. YouTube may have a video on an F150, yours will be very similar. Here you go. Nothing to it!
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