my dad has a 99 f350dually 7.3 auto 2wd. it has a downpipe and 4" exhaust with no cat or muffler and a adjustable programer. we dont kno wat brand though, it was in the truck when we got it. his 97 had a ts programmer and the guy we sold it to "stacked" another programmer on top of it and swapped injectors for alot more power. how does this work and is it possible to do it to his 99 for more power? and how much more could he go before having to swap injectors or the turbo?

 

The guys will chime in soon, but IMO there isn't a reason to stack with proper tuning. They will help you out I am sure.

 

The guy you sold it to was blowing smoke. You can't stack a programmer with a chip, the chip will always override the programmer and whatever is written to the PCM. This goes for the Superduties as well as the OBS Powerstrokes.

The only "stackable" modules that are sold are still using very old school technology. These modules are things like ICP foolers, transmission shift enhancers, etc. A few companies still manufacture these items, such as Banks and Edge. There is no reason for these separate modules, since everything can be controlled nowadays with a chip or a programmer. Buying these separate modules won't give you any more power, and will only work to lighten your wallet. You also won't catch anyone making serious power running any of these modules either.

If you aren't sure what programmer you have now in your current truck, then try and post up some information about it and maybe one of us can identify it. There are some programmers and chips out there that are "preferred" over others, but it really depends on what you want out of the truck, and what your driving perferences are.

 

i believe the truck was a stereo shop display vehicle from when it was new, and then after it got old they used to pull a trailer to shows. the only thing i know about it is that it has a 6position adjustable ****(stock,high-idle,and power levels 1-4). ut what is the best way to add extra power with bang for the buck?

 

Sounds like it has a old school TS chip on it. Without knowing for sure there is little anyone can recomend.

Intake, exhaust, chip will give you about 300RWHP... thats about it without injectors, turbos and such.

 

Here's a caution to consider... Hypermax - Product Display ...

"Even with "these gaskets" you're warned... "If you stack boxes the gaskets will fail." and ..."Stacking of boxes will fail the gasket. This is using an in-line programmer along with programming the factory PCM. This is due to the extreme timing advance that is produced by both modifications."

...and my analysis shows that the "IDM mod" + "HPOP mod" has a similar effect as stacking a so called "ICP pressure box" with a "chip" in that both of these combinations might produce a net injection timing that's too far advanced!

 

That's for a 6.0L. It's well known that adding any type of performance enhancer can cause you to puke coolant on those engines. It even happens on stock trucks. Best mods you can ever do to a 6.0L is to pull the cab and install head studs and an EGR delete kit. It's super rare for it to happen on a 7.3L truck. With just a chip or tuner, we simply don't make enough boost to require head studs just yet. Add larger injectors and a bigger turbo, then it's a whole new game.

However, adding ICP without adjusting fueling and timing tables can itself have an effect on injection timing, throwing it off. So you are correct about that (applies to both 7.3L and 6.0L engines). Most chips and programmers have matching ICP, fueling, and timing tables for different tunes. This is yet another benefit of having a chip or programmer control everything, rather than individual stacked modules that don't communicate with each other.

Even on a stock engine, it's possible to throw so much timing into it that you can break a rod. It's happened before years ago. Funny thing with those 7.3's that cratered, their head gaskets were still intact.