First mods for 7.3L
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: West Central Indiana
First mods for 7.3L
First off I'm new to being a member here at FTE, but I can already tell this is the best forum for finding what I need with reliability.
I just got a '01 F-250 7.3L for my first truck and I'm wanting to know what are the first mods I should get for my truck. It already has a K&N CAI and is straight piped, but that's the extent of its performance modifications. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.
I just got a '01 F-250 7.3L for my first truck and I'm wanting to know what are the first mods I should get for my truck. It already has a K&N CAI and is straight piped, but that's the extent of its performance modifications. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
Hey man! Let me be one of the first to welcome you. We can always use most people to enjoy the ford truck forum.
I would recommend servicing your K&N filter first thing.
If you don't already know about tuners, check out DP Tuners! They're my favorite.
You'll want to install some gauges before anything else. This will safegaurd you from doing anything stupid (hopefully) and let you know what is happening with your truck.
I'd start there. I'm sure others will chime in soon.
Welcome to the board man.
I would recommend servicing your K&N filter first thing.
If you don't already know about tuners, check out DP Tuners! They're my favorite.
You'll want to install some gauges before anything else. This will safegaurd you from doing anything stupid (hopefully) and let you know what is happening with your truck.
I'd start there. I'm sure others will chime in soon.
Welcome to the board man.
Because racetruck
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 104
From: Monterey Bay, CA
The trinity of diesel performance is intake, tuner, exhaust. Many will chime in on whats best. But most will agree on the 6637 for an intake, DP Tuner for the tuner, and MBRP on the exhaust. If your current exhaust is just a straight piped stock set up, look into a 4" turbo back set up.
Welcome to FTE
Welcome to FTE
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,042
Likes: 77
Welcome to FTE... These guys have you pointed in the right direction looks like. Just let me know if I can be of any help.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Here's what I'd do in your shoes:
1. Fix the K&N issue ASAP. Check turbo wheel & intake tube for signs of dusting.
2. Clean all the boots & engine so you can see what's going on. Do the CCV mod while you at it. Can be combined with (1.).
3. You can keep the straight-piped exhaust, or get a real nice aftermarket 4" turbo back system. They're all mandrel bent and 4" the whole way. Much better than the POS stock system.
4. Gauges. Pick some you like...
5. Mod trans if it's an auto.
6. Then look at chips. You want to do the trans first though so whoever tunes your truck can set it up for mod'ed trans.
After that, the list is long and not as critical. Look at the Hutch/Harpoon, HPX, foil delete, etc. after the above is done. My $0.02.
1. Fix the K&N issue ASAP. Check turbo wheel & intake tube for signs of dusting.
2. Clean all the boots & engine so you can see what's going on. Do the CCV mod while you at it. Can be combined with (1.).
3. You can keep the straight-piped exhaust, or get a real nice aftermarket 4" turbo back system. They're all mandrel bent and 4" the whole way. Much better than the POS stock system.
4. Gauges. Pick some you like...
5. Mod trans if it's an auto.
6. Then look at chips. You want to do the trans first though so whoever tunes your truck can set it up for mod'ed trans.
After that, the list is long and not as critical. Look at the Hutch/Harpoon, HPX, foil delete, etc. after the above is done. My $0.02.
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: West Central Indiana
So the K&N needs replaced first it sounds like, and it seems most agree on the 6637 mod. Should I just follow this thread (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/724040-6637-mod.html) or someone said I could contact Riffraff about it? Can you buy this mod? Thanks for all of the replies.
Last edited by megawatt00; Jun 19, 2009 at 06:12 PM. Reason: Merge do to being a dulpicate
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,667
Likes: 1
From: Glen Rose,Texas
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
Welcome to FTE, I am relativley new to diesels and am learning everything I know about 7.3L PSD's here. "Diesel World" magazine is doing an article on a project '00 F350 started in July 09 Issue, I am following it and so Far Up Pipes and a "good" air intake are thier first two mods. Outside of the basics, i.e Oil Change, fuel Filter, rear diff fluids and checking soft codes for things like bad injectors. I'm sure others will chime in here.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX
Welcome to the site! Like others have said, ditch the K&N intake. I suggest upgrading to an S&B intake which will replace your entire airbox. They use an 8 layered cotton gauze filter for maximum airflow and filtration. The filters are warrantied for life. Once you get the intake taken care of, I suggest looking at an exhaust system. A 4" turbo back kit will give you all the performance gain and EGT drop you can get, but some people like the looks and sound of 5". A couple of good ones to check out are MBRP or Magnaflow. We also carry a few "budget" kits that will fit and sound great. From there, I would look at a chip and gauges. Theres a TON of different option out there for each, do a little research here and see which ones will work best for you. If you have any questions or would like a quote on anything, feel free to give me a holler.
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,042
Likes: 77
So the K&N needs replaced first it sounds like, and it seems most agree on the 6637 mod. Should I just follow this thread (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/724040-6637-mod.html) or someone said I could contact Riffraff about it? Can you buy this mod? Thanks for all of the replies.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 837
Likes: 0
From: Newark, Delaware
Yep, I got a K&N intake on my truck before I learned that they are not that great. I did my foil delete this past week and checked out my intake. No dust inside the filter or intake pipe. Even still, I am replacing it with Clay's 6637 mod kit. I am also doing his CCV mod kit among other things. Anyone around here will tell you to talk to Clay. I completely agree. He has excellent prices and his customer service is top notch!
I checked out DSTRBD's site and he seems to carry some great products as well.
I would also recommend cleaning up the boots on your intercooler pipes. I did that when I did the foil delete and it made a noticeable difference. Before I couldn't get above 17psi boost. Now I can get above 23 with no problems. But anyways, welcome to FTE man, happy mod'ing!!!
I checked out DSTRBD's site and he seems to carry some great products as well.
I would also recommend cleaning up the boots on your intercooler pipes. I did that when I did the foil delete and it made a noticeable difference. Before I couldn't get above 17psi boost. Now I can get above 23 with no problems. But anyways, welcome to FTE man, happy mod'ing!!!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Scenery hill,Pa.
I perfer the S&b intake. Very nice and priced great. I would look into ebay for a nice exhaust. I got a 5in exhuast for 320. its a nice system. Dp tuner is my favorite for a tuner. You also have tony wildman and PHP too. Gauges can be a big expense too. I went with glowshift gauges. They are only $200 Do the crank case mod to get it out the intake too. After all that you can get into the rail tube to tie the Hp rails together to smooth the ICP out a little, up your IDM voltage, ITPs fuel kit etc. This hobby can get very expensive and youll learn that quick. haha
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 0
From: NW Arkansas
I would personally stay away from the Glowshifts. Some like them but I've seen them in person and the quality is just not there.. You can get alot better gauges for the money. I know that's been argued a million times but just thought I would chime in..
Intake, CCV mod and some Autometer or ISSPRO gauges will get you started right
Then 6.0 Intercooler and Trans cooler to keep it coole
Maybe BTS valve body
Then Chip, turbo, and it will start to get ridiculous but you'll enjoy every minute haha
Good luck
Intake, CCV mod and some Autometer or ISSPRO gauges will get you started right
Then 6.0 Intercooler and Trans cooler to keep it coole
Maybe BTS valve body
Then Chip, turbo, and it will start to get ridiculous but you'll enjoy every minute haha
Good luck