I have a 97 F250 extend cab LWB 2wd, 7.3L of cousre, 262,000 miles now and was looking for basically some input on where to start or rather continue on with my truck as far as performance goes.

My father bought the truck new, and its had a long, long life as a work truck up until 2 years ago when i got it, (gave my 04 f150 to my younger brother). Since i have had the truck ive slowly started fixing it up both cosmeticly and performace wise.

Things ive already done include new batteries, new vacum pump, new waterpump, fresh PS pump, new front wheel bearings, new rear brakes, new motosport ultra diesel wheels with 265/75/16 firestone tires, spary in bedliner, window tint, shocks all around, billet grille, new headlights, new bumper and trim and signal lights (all clear lense like newer veichles). the interior was completely stripped out and reconditioned back to like new.

As far as performance goes: we had Brian's truck shop go through the tranny and install a shift kit, they also put new o-rings on the injectors and programed it (60psi on fuel pressure), they also check over the top end while they had it there, and removed the cat and put in a straight pipe.... So it runs pretty good now, much better than it ever did new!

My truck runs empty 75% of the time and all the other its pulling my 16' enclosed raced trailer, as of now im getting 18.5-21 mpg dry and 14-16 with my trailer. What im looking for is more response, better 0-30mph performance, it does good from 30-80 but more is always better in my book, so give me some input on where to go in way of performance mods. Since im selling my 06 nissan car and i will only have my truck to drive. ill have a good bit of cash to invest in it so what can i do with out going too overboard and keeping the $$ under say 3g because i still need to buy a bedcover and have it painted.


Sorry for the long read and thanks for the input guys.

 

as far as info goes im looking into full exhaust systems, turbo changes, IC kits or do it yourself kit, injectors, etc... give me a crash course or links to builds or mod threads that i can read, sites that i can find parts and anything that could be of help. Im not looking to waste money im the guy who spend the extra to do it right the first time.

 

Welcome to FTE. Guess you have 3.55 rear end gears by your fuel mileage. A good start would be a different air filter setup and a chip. I haven't done any performance mods to my 97 as yet. Still getting it completely road worthy. But intake, exhaust, injectors, new turbo and a custom chip is where I'm headed. Maybe an intercooler if needed. Plus gauges to monitor temps and boost.

 

I completely forgot but we have a brand new IC off my father's 07' 6.0 that we took off when we put the banks aftermarket on it when it had like 3,000 miles on it. Could i use it? any help on what id need to install it?

i have a new K&N filter in the stock arrangement, as for the exhaust it would be best if i did the exhaust and intercooler at the same time correct? any links to a good down pipe ill have the rest of the exhaust done custom locally. My truck is already programed and im sure cale could email an updated program to use after the mods......

Hmmm a nice tripple pod of gauges would be good, and i almost also forgot we have the FS2500 bypass oilfilter systems installed on all our trucks including mine.

 

and yes its a 3.55 rear end that has never been into..... dunno how much longer thats gonna last, i know over 150,000 of the miles on this truck has been pulling atleast 8-9,000 pounds (either a trencher, backhoe, or 24' enclosed job trailer before i got it)

any idea on how many miles these rear ends go, we are **** about maintenance and service so its always been taken care of.

 

Get rid of the k&n and put a napa 6637 with a 4" 45 degree pipe on. Much better filter. K&n filter will let dust through a lot of times and screw up your turbo wheel. As far as a downpipe call dale at tymar (509-922-8785). I got a 3-4 inch downpipe for 129.00. Its very easy to put a straight pipe on yourself if you want. That is what I did. You will love the sound and performance help with the intake and exhaust. It whistles at an idle and sounds cool. Guages should be one of the next things.

 

funny you should recomend a napa filter, we own a napa store... but i didnt think it was good to have an "open" air intake setup, youd just be getting hot air under the hood.... what about an S&B cold air intake ??? i can get those through napa.....

wrote down dale's number i will definetly give him a call for the pipe, and by 3-4 inch down pipe do you mean either a 3inch or 4inch or do you mean it tapers or steps from a 3 to 4 inch ??? if not which would i need 3inch or 4inch?

 

3" is good, I sqeezed in a 3 1/2" but had to do some serious body work. The napa 6637 is the way to go, most people on here use it. I'm not sure if the 6.0 IC will work, I think I read on here that it will. I used a IC off of a 99 but it also was a sqeezed.

 

has anyone seen an aftermarket thermostat housing/tube for the 7.3s or do teh new models have thick base plate, the baseplate on mine as been bent and straigthened so many times (changing water pumps) that it leaks if you look at it wrong and before i order another factory one id thought id check to see if there is one better out there.

 

the new factory one will seal fine and the 6.0 cooler will fit with modifications, but no worse then any other intercooler. i personaly liek the 6.0 cooler due to its size and volume.

 

what kind of install time am i looking at to get the 6.0 intercooler in there?

 

give yourself a full day for any issues that may come up.

 

The downpipe I got is a 2 piece. 3-31/2 for top piece and 3 1/2 to 4 on bottom.

 

so joe which piping kit would you recomend? or which did you use? if there is a thread on this you can just post a link...

and fordman did you have to do any body modifacations to get it to fit?

thanks alot

 

i made my own pipes from a pile of 6.0 and 7.3 pipes i had laying around. no kinks in the pipes, all nice smooth bends. pipe kits are available for purchase but i didnt want to spend the money