Hello again everybody.

I have finally gotten tired of everyone bringing me their cummins and saying, "I wanna go fast" and i do a bunch of work on them and they do go fast... breaks my heart...

So im gonna break down and buy a p-stroke to build and beat the pants off those cummins i build. But. It wont be a drag truck. I want it to be a daily driver but with a lot of streetable power.

So keeping in mind that i am looking at a 1999 to 2003 p-stroke and im going to want to do edge juice with attitude, the napa filter upgrade, overstock injectors, (not sure if these are sized like dodges injectors but if so probably around a 150 overhorse model) upgraded fuel system, maybe some port work on the turbo, and of course a free flowing exauhst. Probably 4" downpipe into five inch exhaust. Maybe stacks.

I deal in older fords for myself and have never looked at anything this new and don't know tons about the newer powerstrokes. From what i've priced so far it looks like about 12000 for an extended cab 4wd xlt 120,000 miles on it?

Is that a fair price?

Also whats the highest mileage i should be looking at and still be able to do the upgrades without worrying about the motor shelling, i know the transmission is likely to. Which brings me too another question, auto or manual?

I greatly appriciate all input positive or negative and i know i seem like a noob but get me started on ford BB's and i can talk like a pro lol

Thanks for your opinions!

 

The problem with trying to beat a Cummins is they can very easily generate more power for 1/10 the cost.
I was just out at the Dynomite Diesel grand opening over the weekend and one truck put down over 800 hp.

IMO if you want to get some work done, get a Ford, but don't expect to win any races.
The HEUI injectors are only good for so much fuel volume and they are rather expensive compared to modding Cummins.
If you want to go fast, get a Cummins or a Duramax.
I use my 280hp truck to pull my trailer and it does it very well.
I plan on having this same truck for the next ten years at least.

 

How much power do you want to make? Starting somewhere in 01, Ford switched to PMR rods which don't hold up as well as the forged rods.

If you want to change injectors, don't waste your money on the edge. It won't be able to compensate for the upgrades. Look into DP-Tuner or Total Diesel Performance those guys can adjust the programming for whatever future mods you do. Don't forget a good set of gauges.

As for the tranny, I like the stick, but they're hard to find. BTS in Arkansas can build you a bullet proof tranny that can take any power you throw at it. Until then, install a shift kit to firm up the shifts.

The mileage question is a tricky one. My opinion is it has more to do with how the motor was maintained than the odometer reading.

 

I hear that. I think about 4% of the '03s have a stick (and I think most of those are work trim XL trucks). I eventually had to "settle" for the 4R100.

Also, John Wood does good work on the 4R100 as well. He is near El Centro, CA (Souteastern in the desert).

 

Im not looking to do any drag racing. Just a very relyable somewhat fast daily driver that when i stand on it will get up and go like hell. As far as power. They came stock with what 260? so i'd be looking at probably pushing 350. Not more than that. The cummins i build for the average person only push 400. But they are cheap to build. I could just never live with myself if i bought a dodge. I did build a 700 hp one once though...

 

As for your miles question, I wouldn't be too nervous about a truck with under 250k or so. 120k miles is considered "just broken in" for these trucks when they are well maintained.

 

the last of the 7.3L run came with 250 HP (@2800 RPM) and 525lb-ft of torqued (@ 1600 RPM). That's with the 4R100 auto. I think the stick numbers were around 275 HP and 520lb-ft IIRC. I think that the 7.3L (direct injection) started out with 235 HP and 500lb-ft in late '99.

From what I've read, around 400 HP is a good number without doing a lot of supporting mods to the internals and still have a reliable rig.

 

Actually every 7.3L in a Ford has 235 flywheel HP, 250 HP was IH's rating for the T444E and what is printed on the valve cover of some of the early 99's.

 

Good to know. It's not even lunchtime yet and I've learned something today!

 

And I guess I should add... the sticks were rated higher like you mentioned.