I have a stock 1999 F350 DRW 4door with 290k miles.

I have had it since it was new. and have not done any mods to it. however I want to get more HP and Feul economy from it. What should I do first. Tuner w/scanner or what????

Cheap and fast, BUT Good!

Thanks
Rick

 

Hey rick, Ya got me beat by 8,000 Miles! haha these engines are great. Anyways - I was hesitant on putting any money into a high mileage vehicle. After reading alot and doing some good research i figured these engines can run forever I started off with some simple and necessary modifications. The problem with jumping right to the tuner is you dont have the support from the air intake side, and from the exhaust side. Before you can throw the big power you need to improve some small things. In your situation if you want quick and fast power - i would at first go with an exhaust (4" from MKO Power) to keep EGT's low. Then you can put a tuner in(DP Tuner). This would be the cheapest but probably not the best. The best setup would be 6637 air intake, Gauges to monitor your vitals, Exhaust, a Valve Body from BTS, and then a Tuner. This will keep your engine and trans pretty safe opposed to just THROWING a tuner in. Good luck!

 

This is exactly why I love this site. You guys always have the best intentions for our trucks. I will start with looking at the exhaust. Already have the 6637 on the way this week. So I will try to have some patience, HEHE.

Thanks Joe
BTW You had great input on how best to clean the engine compartment.

Rick

 

Rick, since you are over 26 posts now, your signature option has been activated. go to the USER CP and then over on the left click edit signature.

 

I would say gauges first. That way you have a baseline and you know what the new mod is doing when it is installed.

 

Cheapest way to go is:
Gauges: ~$300
Exhaust: Free for Muffler delete pipe to $700+ for good SS system.
Intake: 6637 for ~$40 to $300+ for AIS, AFE, etc... You choose.

Then and only then would I do a tuner. You have to have the basics first to get the most out of your tune(s). If *I* were to do it again, I'd do the tranny before the tuner as well. Shift Kit (TransGo is the one I used with EXCELLENT results!) or BTS/JW Accumulator VB. My $0.02....

 

Get your gauges installed first. Air intake and 4" performance exhaust second, then go with the chip, this will give you the improvement in fuel economy in safe steps with the least invested.

 

The mods I believe have done the most good for my truck were the fuel return (CCK), in-tank/pre-pump (Hutch) and HPX. Those three put together were less than 300 bucks. I wish I had done them first. My sig shows the order in which I am doing things. My .02 Cents.

 

Check my sig.

 

Brandon, I gotta be doing something wrong. I click on the User CP tab at the top and when I get to the Settings and Options page, there is not a tab for me to edit my sig.

Rick

 

Should look like the pic below. It's the first option in the list.

 

I'll check it again. I do see all the other tabs you have, but not the edit signature one.
be right back to let you know how it goes.

Rick

 

Not yet Brandon. I will keep on it though, just to show how proud i am of my truck.

As i do these mods i will post back here and give details on how it goes.

thanks so much for your help.

Rick

 

I am looking at this for my first major mod.

5 inch Turbo Back Diesel Exhaust System. $355.00

It says it will increase HP 18 - 22 and 1-2 mpg fuel economy.

http://www.mkopower.com/index.cfm?pv=pf&pf=pl&pl=cat&pcat=exhaust

What do you guys think of this for a first mod?
Do I have a catalatic converter on this truck??? hmmmm I need to go look.
This one looks like it will remove the catalatic converter.
Very interesting.

Rick

 

I think Mark Romineli has a lot of great systems to offer at a competitive price. DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! IIRC that is with a tip, too!
An exhaust is one of the best mods you can do. You won't believe how much quicker the truck is off the line.
Chances are you don't have a cat. If you do, you won't after the exhaust