Just a Tuner?
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 723
Likes: 1
From: Spring, Texas
Just a Tuner?
I have a 02 crew w/7.3 and 4x4. Will a tuner alone (without exhaust and with a K&N air filter) improve my mileage, acceleration, and pulling power enough to justify the $350?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 487
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From: CT
Without intake and exhaust upgrades you will most likely have high EGT's, the power and mileage improvements will be there, but you might not be able to use all of the power or see the "best" mileage. I say if you got a set of gauges go for the chip/tuner and see how it goes. Also try posting in the 7.3 forum you will get more feedback for a question such as this.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 723
Likes: 1
From: Spring, Texas
I know the more air you can move in and out of the motor the better it will run. I belive I currently have 3.73 gears in the back. With the 35" tires and four inch lift the truck is sluggish at the gun. I do pull heavy loads often and would appreciate the extra giddy up.
I can always add exhaust and intake later right. Do the Higher temps damage the motor, pistons, or heads?
I can always add exhaust and intake later right. Do the Higher temps damage the motor, pistons, or heads?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 487
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From: CT
"I" would not run any sort of tuner/chip in my truck without gauges. If you tow I think that would be your best investment if you dont have them already. If you want to save some money go with the "kiwk filter" mod, straight pipe your exhaust, and go with a tuner/chip of your perference. I plan on hacking off my muffler when the rain stops up here in CT. Im also looking at buying a DP Tuner sometime next week. If all you want is a little more "go" off the line, then I think you will be able to do so without breaking the bank. If your towing heavy re-gearing might be something to look into, but its not cheap and wont help mileage. But I cant stress gauges enough, motors, trannys, and turbos arent cheap.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 723
Likes: 1
From: Spring, Texas
Thanks for the replies. Everyone recommends the gauges. I believe I will have them installed first. Where are you guys installing them? Do they look nice? I do not want to look like a fast and furiuous ricer. I'd like something a little more stylish.
When you cut the muffler out of the exhaust is the noise in cab really loud? I ride a harley with straight pipes, so I know it will be louder, but I prefer a quite ride in truck.
Thanks again for the comments.
When you cut the muffler out of the exhaust is the noise in cab really loud? I ride a harley with straight pipes, so I know it will be louder, but I prefer a quite ride in truck.
Thanks again for the comments.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,737
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From: Republic of Texas
A Piller . . .
3 gauges on the A piller, I like auto meters, Tranny temp, boost, & Exhaust temp. Paint the holder to match interior . . .
Typical setup
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=57
Typical setup
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=57
Last edited by Lonewolftx; Sep 7, 2006 at 11:19 AM. Reason: addition
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Republic of Texas
It's a 6.0 thing . . .
It measures the amount of boost the turbo is putting out. Whenever you get heavey on the pedal you need to monitor the boost level as to not damage the turbo.
I notice you are not running the 6.0 turbo, 2002, so you might want a two guage set up or add another engine gauge.
I notice you are not running the 6.0 turbo, 2002, so you might want a two guage set up or add another engine gauge.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 723
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From: Spring, Texas
The two gauge set up would measure what? The boost and tranny? Or the tranny and egt's? Are the 7.3 turbos more reliable than the 6.0? Do I need to gauge the turbo any ways? I have a factory tranny temp gauge in the dash. Do I need a second?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,737
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From: Republic of Texas
Your choice . . .
The gauges can be whatever you want them to be. My '06 has a boost & tranny guage on in the instrument cluster but I wanted a "better" guage for accurate mesurements.
Also the bigger Piller guages are easier to read for me. Hence my 3 guage setup; boost, tranny temp, & exhuast temp. You can choose whatever guages you want to have. This is the most tyupical setup for monitoring what is going on under your hood. Tranny temp for overheating while towing. Boost output for monitoring the level of boost annd Egt temp for monitoring how hot the engine is getting putting out power while towing, racing the guy next to you, etc.
It is all up to what you want to look at and monitor.
Also the bigger Piller guages are easier to read for me. Hence my 3 guage setup; boost, tranny temp, & exhuast temp. You can choose whatever guages you want to have. This is the most tyupical setup for monitoring what is going on under your hood. Tranny temp for overheating while towing. Boost output for monitoring the level of boost annd Egt temp for monitoring how hot the engine is getting putting out power while towing, racing the guy next to you, etc.
It is all up to what you want to look at and monitor.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,508
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From: Utopia
Originally Posted by KubotaOrange76
throw in a set of gauges first, then chip it, then exhaust
I'm sorry but 4-6 mpg gain is a pipe dream and I don't buy it...not even for a dollar on a 7k lb truck.