Recently traded my 2000 F-150 5.3 for a 2002 F-350 Lariet 4X4 SuperCab 7.3 PSD because the gas didn't have enough umph for towing my 26ft Jayco BH at decent speeds. My '02 has 76k and appears to be stock with no mods. Am currently getting 14-15mpg but haven't done any towing yet. Because I have very limited funds, I was wondering what would be the most cost effective mods to make and in what order, as I will have to do them one at a time. Am thinking AIS intake, Superchips 1705, and an exhaust system. I know they are all related and will need them all for full benefits but just can't afford it all at once. My main goal is to keep or improve the mileage figures, I'm not looking for 1/4 mile performance. Thanks all!!

 

The mods you mention will work to give you more power, but your mileage will stay pretty much the same.. I believe if you keep your rpm around 2000 or less, you will get the best mileage. Of coarse you won't get 14-15 pulling your Jayco, but should be around 11 - 12 maybe.

 

I know you will get numerous replies here...this is a great place to learn about your 7.3! I would suggest that the first thing you do is add three gauges: transmission temperature, a pyrometer, and a boost gauge BEFORE you start towing your trailer around. With limited funds, if I couldn't afford all three gauges I'd add them one at a time to a three gauge pillar pod with the tranny temp gauge first. You can easily fry the tranny towing the trailer, particularly backing up with the trailer at low speeds. Your limited budget will get hammered by $2500-$4500 if you burn up that tranny.

The next thing I would look at is an external tranny cooler ...or a tranny cooler from a 6.0 PSD. The reason is the same as above, the tranny is a real weak link in your truck.

Now given that the above are done, the cheapest performance upgrade is to get your PCM reflashed with Jody Tipton's 40 hp tow package. This will not only give you more power for pulling, but it will also improve shift points and reduce buildup of heat (you are seeing a recurring theme with the tranny, right?). The money you save over the Superchips, could probably do the gauges...I'd also flush the tranny and replace with a quality synthetic fluid.

The AIS is a great filter...probably the best for dust filtration (about $200). But if you want great filtering with lower cost, look at the 6637 filter mod (Kwik Filter - about $30).

 

good call nlemerise, thats what i'd do too. Make sure to do the trans cooler and gauge if you do any pulling. As i did fry a trans and cost about 3800 when all said and done. Now I have a aux cooler and syn trans fluid, along with deep pan.

 

Very good call on the last two posts. The first thing I did when I got my truck was to put in gauges transmission temperature, boost gauge and pryo. The next thing I did was replace the exhaust to four-inch and replace the air filter. Get that square thing out of their and put a K&N or something similar. I have two friends that smoked their transmissions, because they didn't have a gauge. Just watch it when you're towing something.

 

The 6637 filter puts the K&N to shame (not to even mention the AIS)...you'll have to really search this forum for K&N supporters. I wouldn't put a K&N on a diesel, even your diesel .

 

nlemerise. If you look at my profile you will see. I don't run a K&N I use that Magnum force air filter. I really don't think that K&N filters are that bad. If you take care of them. If you just leave them in there and don't maintain them. Like any other filter they will turn into junk.

 

I never said you did run a K&N ...I just said you will have a hard time finding supporters for K&N in diesel engines that is all. You recommended the K&N to maadman and I wanted him to know that it is not highly respected in the diesel world.

 

nlemerise, Right on K&N filters are overrated. By the way, I agree with your dinner

 

Wait until you dust your turbo, and then you can talk about how K&N isn't bad. Get the 6637 filter, or an AIS if think you need to spend $200.

If your towing the first thing your going to want to do is get guages, pyro, tranny, boost. Then get a transmission cooler, there are many availible 6.0L or V10 tranny coolers are pretty good. The next thing is air filter, and then 4" exhaust, a cheap thing you can do for now is cut out the stock muffler, to get a little lower EGT's and fast turbo spool. The last thing would be a chip or programmer. Most around here will recommend nothing but D.P. tuner, every thing else is about as good as throwing your money out the window. Many tuners, like superchips and evolution give you boxed tunes not tuned to your specific modifications. Jody gives you custom tunes for your mods, or you can get your PCM flashed, but most like the availiblity of other tunes.

Check out DP's website: http://www.dp-tuner.com/

 

Thanks guys! I live in a very, very dusty environment and from reading the posts had a good idea as to the AIS system, though pricey, as the better choice for filtration. I have a stock tranny temp guage and have had unfortunate prior experience with "frying" a transmission (off-roading in a Jeep). I will look into a 6.0 or other cooler. I have a little time because am not planning on any towing until next spring. Also, I am a firm believer in synthetics and was planning on having the drivetrain fluids done at the next serviceing. What is the advantage to having/using a pyrometer and boost guage? I will look further into the PCM reflashing with Jody Tipton's package. Does anyone have any real figures to possible mpg changes after reflashing their PCM? Thanks again!!

 

maadman, I believe in synthetics also, some people say that it's snake oil, but I've never had a problem with. I run Amsoil, but there's several other opportunities. As far as your question about pyrometer it gives you the exhaust gas temperatures coming out of your engine that turbo doesn't like it when the temperatures go above 1200° if you have a pryometer you can monitor these temperatures and back out of the throttle if you have to or switch to a lower gear. To boost gauge, as far as I can tell just tells you how much the turbo in his spolling. I have one on my truck and one-time it went higher than 25 pounds pressure and check engine light came on. Think it had something to do with the chip. The light went off in about five minutes and haven't romped on it that hard since. I hope this helps. Good luck

 

After i got my tranny temp gauge I realized how useless the stock one is. That thing doesnt even move when actual temps go up. By the time the stock one moves up enough to notice I would hate to see how hot the tranny actually is.

As far as chips and tuners: I have a superchip tuner, but am waiting to get a 4" exhaust on the X before getting a dp tuner for it. I run the superchip on my pickup since it was new in tow safe mode. I get 18 to 19 on the highway consistantly. A good tailwind and downhill i have hit 23 on some trips. For the money though I would go the dp route if was to do it over again.

 

The stock tranny gauge is a glorified idiot light, by the time it goes up in temp the tranny is usually already toast. As far a Pyro gauge you will defiantly want one if it is chipped, because under heavy load, and certain conditions, a chipped motor can get to high in temperature. Either to high for too long, or just too high; if you reach high temperatures you will start melting the components in side the engine, usually the pistons are the first to crack and melt. If you crack or destroy a piston it's time for a new engine which will cost you big $$$$$$. Many people also get a boost because why not, the pod mount will cost the same and gauge is only about $60. Plus you will also be able to see if your turbo is surging under heavy load. Surging will cause your turbo to meet a short demise, surge is usually only seen above 25psi, where the stock turbo can no longer keep up.