Longevity/durability mods

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Jul 13, 2006 | 10:16 PM

97-7.3dump

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Longevity/durability mods

New to FTE, thanks for the invite!!
Here is the deal: I use my powerstroke to make my income-hauling gravel while towing my excavator to projects all over Washington. I would appreciate some opinions on which mods would gain the best performance without sacrificing duraility. You see, I demand alot from myself and I demand more from my equipment. Mr rig doesn't leave the yard without being overloaded (by the door jams numbers

) I would like to gain performance and lower EGT's & trans temp's. I just broke the 200K mark on my 97 PSD with little problems (except the *&%%$ auto trans...I'll buy a manual next). What do you guys think??
Appreciate the imput and keep up the good work!

Jul 13, 2006 | 10:29 PM

fishmanndotcom

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From: Senoia, GA

just for starters get some sort of open air filter (NOT K&N) like napa's 6637 mod or a paper filter from tymar. this really helps her breathe better. then get rid of the factory smashed downpipe with an open 3.5" to 4" (or 5") downpipe from tymar, this will help lower EGTs a good bit (if you get rid of the cat/muffler as well). this will make it sound really really good, open her up for better air flow (which means more power), and help keep temps down. gut the EBPV (at least unhook it) and run a 4" (or 5") straight pipe exhaust to expell the gases past the cab.

also highly recommended are gauges, if nothing else a pyro gauge installed pre-turbo this will let you know when it is safe for you to cut the motor off so you dont burn up the turbo's bearings.

-cutts-

Jul 13, 2006 | 11:08 PM

97-7.3dump

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Thanks Fishman!
Gauges have always been the life of a diesel. I have operated heavy machinery for 20+ years and appreciate keeping an eye on what the engine is up to, without it I doubt my PSD would have made it this far.
I have thought about a downpipe but in a finacially challenged/time crunched world (mine=two daughters and an overspending wife) is it worth the cost?? I'm looking for longevity first (another 100K+), mileage second, performance third (although I want it all!

).
What is your guys' opinion??
Tell me if I'm way off (I have always been off

, that's never stopped me before!!)
Thanks!!

Jul 14, 2006 | 01:46 AM

TexasRoughneck

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Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 154

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From: Rising Star, Texas

do as he said get better air and let her breathe better, ull also be able to hear the turbo whistle and get the dp too, thats on my next thing to do on mine, and exhaust strait is better, but mine will have stacks thou, as for the air intake, i dont have a bit of problem runnin a K&N open filter though, and i go on a bunch of dirty roads and location roads being i roughneck for a living, dont have a bit of problem with it, going to do the newer setup for the turbo though and get one for the 99-03 model and put on mine with the intercooler and then injectors, chip, gauges, another stiffer clutch though as for automatic cant help ya, been there done that wont go back, if this helps though check out beansdieselperformance.com take care and god bless Lance

Jul 14, 2006 | 01:47 AM

TexasRoughneck

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From: Rising Star, Texas

oh and mine has 243k miles on it second owner of it

Jul 14, 2006 | 01:49 AM

TexasRoughneck

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From: Rising Star, Texas

fishman how do i unhook the EBPV since i dont have time to gut it out?

Jul 14, 2006 | 06:50 AM

DAVID'S97F250HD

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 97-7.3dump

I have thought about a downpipe but in a finacially challenged/time crunched world (mine=two daughters and an overspending wife) is it worth the cost?? I'm looking for longevity first (another 100K+), mileage second, performance third Thanks!!

The down pipe is well worth it IMO, I have a guted cat and just a 3 or 3 1/2 down pipe, the turbo wistles now so nice, now I'm dropping the rest of the exhaust after the Cat flex joint and straight piping it to after the muffler keeping the factory over diff pipe..

that alone will answer to all 3 of your requists, lower EGT's, less back pressure, more milage, better performance.

With what I have right now, I still have my EBPV, replaced my down pipe and gutted CAT, hooked up my snap on scanner and I'm still reading 11lbs of back pressure on a hot engine, I dont know if I can trust my scanner on that but thats what its telling me