So I know this thread may be a bit controversial but I'm asking anyways. I have a 97 F350 single rear wheel 2wd. Listed below are the current mods:

• 456 rear end gears (35" tires)
• 200/30 hybrid injectors
• Tow tune Hydra chip
• Electric fuel pump
• Cold air intake
• Butterfly delete kit for turbo
• 3" down pipe w/4" straight pipe

I tow a 12k fifth wheel and for the most part the truck does pretty good. The biggest issue is pulling hills. At a 6% grade, I have to drop down into 2nd gear and can only hold 25-35 MPH to keep from spiking my EGTs. The truck has more power but I can't access it due to the high EGTs. I have also had the EGT's spike on flat ground with a headwind. When I say "spike" I mean jumping up to 1250 plus. I've seen as high as 1450. I know that 1250 is the max safe sustainable temp for these trucks. I am planning on replacing the up pipes with a single piece bellowed pipe but I don't know that it will solve the problem. I am sure there is a boost leak or two on the stock ones but I still get 10-12psi pulling a grade. I was going to install an intercooler but have been told by multiple people that it is not worth the time or money as it will only lower temps about 100 degrees. I need about 300-400 degrees less. This is especially important as I will be heading up to Tahoe this summer and my last trip over the grade was a struggle. I had to pull over for traffic behind me and could barely get the truck back up to 20 MPH. It was brutal.

Here is my question: I have seen a lot of information around water methanol injection systems for turbo diesel engines. I know these can be controversial but I also have heard that installing one could substantially lower my EGTs and maybe even give a slight power increase. I also am having trouble finding a company that makes them specifically for the OBS 7.3. Has anyone installed one of these and if so, what brand or where did you purchase it? Also is it worth it and how difficult was the install process?

Thanks!

 

Who ever told you an IC won't help is insane, specially running as big of an injectors as you are.

My list would consist of
-IC-Bellow UP pipes if staying with factory turbo- E fuel-3" down pipe with kitty delete or full exhaust (stock piping flow good minus the kiity and down pipe)

And 10-12 psi at what RPM?
Any insignificant loss of drive pressure will lower your power as well as increase heat in the cylinders, so get that sorted out first.

 

I haven't been told an IC won't help just that it isn't worth the time and money. The setup for my truck is $2,800 and I've spoken to several other guys who have installed the same setup only to see 100-200 degrees less in EGTs and increased turbo lag. I currently am straight piped so not much more I can do to open up the exhaust. I have seen 4" downpipes but the 3" was hard enough to get to fit.

10-12 psi is running 2,500-3,000 RPM pulling my 5th wheel uphill. I think I should be seeing a bit more but from what I can tell, not much higher than 17. I have seen 17 at WOT not towing anything.

 

if you get an intercooler and run SD fueling specs in a tune, it shouldnt get too hot and give you plenty of power that a OEM SD can give

once you are good with that then bump up the power and see what level gets too hot when towing

 

you have boost leaks and that wont keep it cool
i get 15 PSI at 2k
20 at 2500
23 at 3000

 

I've run everything from stock to the current tune and nothing lowers EGTs. I saw slightly lower EGT's with the stock injectors and tune but maybe 50 degrees. Nothing substantial and really could have been the outside air temp. My friend has nearly the exact same truck but with a SD intercooler setup and he sees EGTs just as high as mine towing a 11k horse trailer. He ended up selling the truck because he did everything recommended short of the water methanol system. I'm not saying that an IC won't help but I really don't want to spend $2,800 plus a week installing the thing to only lower the EGTs 200 degrees. That's not worth it.

 

Good to know. I am going to replace the up pipes so hopefully that will make a difference.

 

https://www.nitrousexpress.com/Diese...lon-Tubing.asp

 

also check your intake for leaks
connect a 4in pvc plug where air filter is tap to 1/2 npt, add in 20 PSI air regulated and hunt with soapy water

 

Noted. Thanks for that tip!

 

Your boost numbers are something that i saw with my bone stock OBS.
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Where do you get that reading?

 

I've got an Edge touch screen monitor. Plugs into the OBD II reader.

 

One side question is the up pipe replacements. I see that Irate Diesel sells a one piece bellowed set but that seems like it would be difficult to install. I see 3 other kits that are all 3 piece kits. Not sure if anyone has any experience with these?

Irate one piece
Atlas SS
DieselSite
AVP

 

Just did mine with trans out three piece from RiffRaff. That one piece wont fitt in unless you lift the cab in my truck. Mind you not all cabs are the same either. Some are tighter tunnels and some wider. I had to snake in the driver's side to clear firewall. Passenger side clamp would not clear firewall and wiggles it from top down past firewall.

 

Good to know. I am also having trouble finding places that will ship to California (par for the course with aftermarket items). I did find a set on Amazon and they will ship here so that may be my best (and only) bet. I've watched a few videos and most say that if you loosen the rear cross member on the transmission, you can jack the tranny up just enough to get clearance to remove/install the up pipes. May be a project for this weekend.