Initial Performance Mod HELP
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 136
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From: Florida westcoast
Initial Performance Mod HELP
I'm purchasing a 2002 7.3l Excursion with stock set-up. I've been pouring over all the info on this site - mainly in this section and the Excursion section. I want to start with some performance mods right away, and I'm still trying to figure out the specifics and the timing.
Here's what I have planned so far:
1- Intake
2- Exhaust
3- gauges
4- Turbo upgrade
5- DP Tuner
Any suggestions for the best intake and exhaust would be helpful. I was thinking of getting the ISSPRO 3-gauge set-up next.
I'm very confused about turbo upgrades. Should I just buy a bigger turbo or a Wicked wheel or a Van turbo?? I tow a small 3-4,000 lb boat and trailer a few times a year. I drive a few hundred highway miles once a week. I'd like some improved acceleration performance around town and good gas mileage on the highway. I assume the DPTuner will give me a few settings to play with, but which turbo upgrade will improve the acceleration the most?
Thanks for your help. I also plan on replacing the transmission, when would that fit into the equation??
Also, assume that price is not a limiting factor when making your recommendations. I just want the best for my new 7.3l
Charlie
Here's what I have planned so far:
1- Intake
2- Exhaust
3- gauges
4- Turbo upgrade
5- DP Tuner
Any suggestions for the best intake and exhaust would be helpful. I was thinking of getting the ISSPRO 3-gauge set-up next.
I'm very confused about turbo upgrades. Should I just buy a bigger turbo or a Wicked wheel or a Van turbo?? I tow a small 3-4,000 lb boat and trailer a few times a year. I drive a few hundred highway miles once a week. I'd like some improved acceleration performance around town and good gas mileage on the highway. I assume the DPTuner will give me a few settings to play with, but which turbo upgrade will improve the acceleration the most?
Thanks for your help. I also plan on replacing the transmission, when would that fit into the equation??
Also, assume that price is not a limiting factor when making your recommendations. I just want the best for my new 7.3l
Charlie
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Welcome.
The first thing I would do is get the gauges, I also have ISSPRO and love them. This way you can see what is going on as you add other mods.
I went with MBRP SS 409 4" turbo back. Nice kit.
For the intake, the 6637 is a cheap and good way to go.
A BTS-VB and the DP-TUNER at the same time.
I would wait on the turbo upgrade till you get all this done. You will be happy with this untill PMS really hits you hard.
The first thing I would do is get the gauges, I also have ISSPRO and love them. This way you can see what is going on as you add other mods.
I went with MBRP SS 409 4" turbo back. Nice kit.
For the intake, the 6637 is a cheap and good way to go.
A BTS-VB and the DP-TUNER at the same time.
I would wait on the turbo upgrade till you get all this done. You will be happy with this untill PMS really hits you hard.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 24
From: Damon (South East Texas)
A larger, or additional, trans cooler would be a good idea. As performance increases, you will work the trans harder and heat up the fluid. Even though your tow weight is pretty light, you should see a difference in the warmer months. This not so much a performance mod, but one to add longevity.
Like Rick said, leave the turbo to last. You will need it only after you start to add a significant amount of fueling to your mods. You may need to add the WW or ATS compr housing, if you develop compr surge from fueling mods.
Like Rick said, leave the turbo to last. You will need it only after you start to add a significant amount of fueling to your mods. You may need to add the WW or ATS compr housing, if you develop compr surge from fueling mods.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Florida westcoast
Thanks a lot.
Do you recommend the muffler or straight exhaust? Which of the 3 materials for the exhaust is most resistant to corrosion/salt water spray (live on the water in Florida)?
What company makes the intake you recommended?
What is the BTS-VB?
What color combo gauges did you get? Are they too bright for night time driving? I hate too much glare from the dash at night.
What are the other mods that say "delete" in your signature line? Do they help performance?
Thanks again.
Do you recommend the muffler or straight exhaust? Which of the 3 materials for the exhaust is most resistant to corrosion/salt water spray (live on the water in Florida)?
What company makes the intake you recommended?
What is the BTS-VB?
What color combo gauges did you get? Are they too bright for night time driving? I hate too much glare from the dash at night.
What are the other mods that say "delete" in your signature line? Do they help performance?
Thanks again.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Florida westcoast
What are the "foil delete", Tru_Cool" and Zoodad mods?? Which transmission cooler do you recommend?
Should I upgrade the tranny early on, or wait for it to go?
And probably most importantly, can anyone recommend a good Ford diesel mechanic in Palm Harbor/ New Port Richey/ Clearwater/Tampa area??? And a good truck shop??
Thanks again.
Charlie
Should I upgrade the tranny early on, or wait for it to go?
And probably most importantly, can anyone recommend a good Ford diesel mechanic in Palm Harbor/ New Port Richey/ Clearwater/Tampa area??? And a good truck shop??
Thanks again.
Charlie
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 0
From: Visalia CA
click on the link in my sig and you will have lots of info on mods....
check this one out too https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...confusion.html
check this one out too https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...confusion.html
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 136
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From: Florida westcoast
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If you're wanting an exhaust, here's a link to a good sale right now https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...r-exhaust.html
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Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Thanks a lot.
Do you recommend the muffler or straight exhaust? Which of the 3 materials for the exhaust is most resistant to corrosion/salt water spray (live on the water in Florida)?
What company makes the intake you recommended?
What is the BTS-VB?
What color combo gauges did you get? Are they too bright for night time driving? I hate too much glare from the dash at night.
What are the other mods that say "delete" in your signature line? Do they help performance?
Thanks again.
Do you recommend the muffler or straight exhaust? Which of the 3 materials for the exhaust is most resistant to corrosion/salt water spray (live on the water in Florida)?
What company makes the intake you recommended?
What is the BTS-VB?
What color combo gauges did you get? Are they too bright for night time driving? I hate too much glare from the dash at night.
What are the other mods that say "delete" in your signature line? Do they help performance?
Thanks again.
The 6637 can be had from NAPA.
these are the gauges I have. click here
The BTS-VB is a valve body to help with shifting and will help your trans live longer. BTS (Brians truck shop) , there is lots of threads on this.
The delete thingy, is the foil delete is taking off the foil on the pipe that goes to the intercooler and the turbo spider. Just makes the engine look better and some say they hear a whistle from the turbo.
What are the "foil delete", Tru_Cool" and Zoodad mods?? Which transmission cooler do you recommend?
Should I upgrade the tranny early on, or wait for it to go?
And probably most importantly, can anyone recommend a good Ford diesel mechanic in Palm Harbor/ New Port Richey/ Clearwater/Tampa area??? And a good truck shop??
Thanks again.
Charlie
Should I upgrade the tranny early on, or wait for it to go?
And probably most importantly, can anyone recommend a good Ford diesel mechanic in Palm Harbor/ New Port Richey/ Clearwater/Tampa area??? And a good truck shop??
Thanks again.
Charlie
. I think someone already has a bad case of PMS. Depends on the condition of your tranny now. Change the fluid and filter will help.
All these mods can be done yourself, if you know how to turn a wrench. Do some more reading and you will see that most of us do our own mods.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 24
From: Damon (South East Texas)
Thanks a lot.
Do you recommend the muffler or straight exhaust? Which of the 3 materials for the exhaust is most resistant to corrosion/salt water spray (live on the water in Florida)?
Rick and I both run a muffler. Straight piping is a matter of sound preference. We also have the 409 Stainless Steel systems. They do make a 504 SS system that has a more shiny look to it, but the 409 will suffice. It just dulls quicker, but cleans up nice. The muffler is 504 SS on both systems.
What company makes the intake you recommended?
The 6637 is a DIY air filter. Just look at some of the galleries and do a search.What is the BTS-VB?
Brian's Truck Shop accumulator valve body for the trans. Improves shift quality and adds longevity.
What color combo gauges did you get? Are they too bright for night time driving? I hate too much glare from the dash at night.
Rick will have to answer that one. I have the Autometer Phantom gauges.
What are the other mods that say "delete" in your signature line? Do they help performance?
The foil delete is really the only 'delete' on the list that doesn't.
Do you recommend the muffler or straight exhaust? Which of the 3 materials for the exhaust is most resistant to corrosion/salt water spray (live on the water in Florida)?
Rick and I both run a muffler. Straight piping is a matter of sound preference. We also have the 409 Stainless Steel systems. They do make a 504 SS system that has a more shiny look to it, but the 409 will suffice. It just dulls quicker, but cleans up nice. The muffler is 504 SS on both systems.
What company makes the intake you recommended?
The 6637 is a DIY air filter. Just look at some of the galleries and do a search.What is the BTS-VB?
Brian's Truck Shop accumulator valve body for the trans. Improves shift quality and adds longevity.
What color combo gauges did you get? Are they too bright for night time driving? I hate too much glare from the dash at night.
Rick will have to answer that one. I have the Autometer Phantom gauges.
What are the other mods that say "delete" in your signature line? Do they help performance?
The foil delete is really the only 'delete' on the list that doesn't.
What are the "foil delete",
It allows you to hear the whistle of the turbo a little more by removing the insulation from the 'hot side' IC pipe.
Tru_Cool"
Added trans cooler; placed behind the grille and inline with the other trans coolers.and Zoodad mods??An opening cut in the wall behind the grille to allow more air to reach the air filter; sort of a ram air idea
Which transmission cooler do you recommend?
We both have the TruCool 4739 , which is the add-on trans cooler.
Should I upgrade the tranny early on, or wait for it to go?
It would not be necessary right away, but I would do it.
And probably most importantly, can anyone recommend a good Ford diesel mechanic in Palm Harbor/ New Port Richey/ Clearwater/Tampa area??? And a good truck shop??
Can't help you there.
Thanks again.
Charlie
It allows you to hear the whistle of the turbo a little more by removing the insulation from the 'hot side' IC pipe.
Tru_Cool"
Added trans cooler; placed behind the grille and inline with the other trans coolers.and Zoodad mods??An opening cut in the wall behind the grille to allow more air to reach the air filter; sort of a ram air idea
Which transmission cooler do you recommend?
We both have the TruCool 4739 , which is the add-on trans cooler.
Should I upgrade the tranny early on, or wait for it to go?
It would not be necessary right away, but I would do it.
And probably most importantly, can anyone recommend a good Ford diesel mechanic in Palm Harbor/ New Port Richey/ Clearwater/Tampa area??? And a good truck shop??
Can't help you there.
Thanks again.
Charlie
EDIT: Rick, you edged me out on that one!
It would definitell be worth the trip. 
. So you were right on target.
(and head scratchin' 
