I posted this on the super duty forum but I got no responce. Allright, Ive been browsing this forum for a couple of years so I guess I should get a post in. I just traded my 96 F350 psd in for a 99 F250 SD PSD and was wondering if the 99 has a larger trans cooler than the 96 did. Also does the 99 have an intercooler? I replaced my 96 with a pretty sweet setup and dont want to neglect my new baby. Thanks for any info, I love this forum.
voodoo

 

the later 99's have a IC and they do have a larger tranny cooler. the IC will be the very furtherest foward. there be a tube that runs from the turbo down to it and one back up to the "y" pipe.

 

If you want a OEM cooler that's almost the size of the radiator......then go find one out of a 03 that has a towing package. And it bolts right up.

 

What does an intercooler cool and why is it wanted/needed?

 

Turbos transfer a lot of heat from the exhaust gasses that spin the turbo to the intake air being compressed by it. Additionally, the simple act of compressing this air adds heat to it. An intercooler cools down the intake air after it has been thru the turbo. Cooler air is denser (more air molecules per unit of volume) so in effect more air enters the cylinder producing a better cooler burn. That in turn produces a little more HP and lower EGT, both very desirable.

Newer 7.3 PSDs produce more HP than the older, pre 99, because they have injectors that flow at a higher rate (95 cc/m vs 120 cc/m) more fuel produces more heat (higher EGT) and needs more air to be efficient. The intercooler addressed both of these problems.

 

Thank you very much for that answer.
After reading what it takes to do it, I think that's a job for further down the road, once I get more diesel under my belt.

 

If you have a 2003 you already have an intercooler

 

Ah, ok, so THATS what that line is running up front for fresh air...
Great!
Does it need more? Bigger opening or piping?

 

Nope thats not it the intercooler looks like another radiator set in front of the regular one. One side will be connected to the out flow side of the fresh air half of the turbo by a tube and the other side is connected to the intake manifold. by another tube.

What you are describing is probably the Air Intake leading back to the air filter and the answer to your question about whether it needs to be bigger depends on what you want to do to your truck. If you intend to do some performance enhancing mods the answer is YES.

Fresh air is drawn into the air intake passes thru the filter then enters the turbo where it is compressed and gains heat. It's then routed thru the intercooler where some of the heat is removed then back to the intake manifold for distribution to the cylinders

 

As to coolers. Yes, your '99 has a intercooler. works good and allows you to make more HP. As to transmission cooler. Your '99 trans cooler is a learning experience for Ford. The new tranny 4r100 was released in 99 and Ford put a single oil to air cooler between the A/C condenser and the intercooler. In 2001 model year, Ford had a TSB that allowed dealers to replace the original radiator with a radiator that had a water to oil cooler in the bottom tank. The original air to oil cooler was left in place. Thus truck models 2001 and up have a cooler in the radiator and in front of the interlcooler.

The '99 & '00 models have a history of running trans fluid hot in towing . Depending on air flow to cool a tranny, when pulling heavy in slow conditions the tranny would get hot enough to puke out fluid. Same as with snow plowing. Idling in traffic will actually heat the fluid.

So I would suggest you first install a trans oil temp gauge and see what you have. Then if necessary you can add a larger air to oil cooler. A good way to do this is to install a trans cooler from a V10 truck. It is about twice the size of the PSD cooler. costs no more that a good aftermarket cooler. You will want your tranny oil to be no hotter than around 195-200 max at the presure port.

Enjoy that new truck. Jim