Hey Guys,
I gotta tell ya I am more educated on my 99 f350 7.3 than a few days ago, and a little more confused after all the reading. This subject has been discussed in depth, many have their opinion and I see what a lot of you guys have done to make some serious hp . . . thanks for all the info . . . wow.

With the understanding that many things work to increase hp and increase fuel mpg, what specific combination of items will work together to give me 300 to 400 hp and/or the best fuel economy? More looking for fuel economy than power.

I plan on upgrading:
-the turbo: don't know which one
-maybe stage one/two injectors: don't know which kind
-open the intake
-4" exhaust
-tuner: sound like DP is the way to go
-and of course gauges: don't know which brand

I am kinda on a budget so I can't go completely crazy, cheaper is better but don't want to skimp on quality. I would rather keep the HPOP and fuel stock; and want the truck to run for another 100-200k.

I know alot of you guys have found the right combination or have done something than wished you could have maybe done it a little different. I am looking for advice so I don't waist time and money on pieces parts that don't work with each other.

Thanks a ton for all the advise and expertise that I have already read.

 

For starters, and for around $2000, you could get a full 4" exhaust, open intake (6637 is cheap and effective), gauges (pyro, tranny temp and boost) and a custom chip. Some improvements on the transmisison will help too, a shift kit or valve body will extend the life of the trans with the added power.
When you get into turbos and injectors, you are looking at a lot more money and then custom tuning to run them and run them well.
You will be pleasantly surprised at what a simple little computer chip can do to your truck.

There are a lot of little things that you can do to make your engine run smoother and better, Like the HPX and fuel "in-tank" mod to eliminate are from the system.

Also, welcome to FTE! Where are you located, there may be someone close by that can help out!

 

I'm up in N.W. Wisconsin.

I was pretty much planning on doing what you said, but I didn't know about the Fuel (in tank) mod. I was originally planning to spend 2-3k on the truck then thought if I am doing that why not get some injectors and turbo. Then after the reading . . . this could get costly if I go over board. So why not ask the experts. I want some performance but I don't want to tear it up. It pretty much stock right now with 210K on it. So its time to replace a lot of what I want to upgrade anyway. How far can I go without tearing the tranny out of it or blowing of the heads? Again I more want the fuel economy more than the power. I do pull a 10k trailer once in awhile

 

Honestly, unless you are towing ALL the time or just want to brag, don't touch the injectors or the turbo.

Do the supporting mods first- get the bellowed up pipes, so you are getting all your exhaust into your turbo.

Then replace your intercooler boots and check everything for leaks. That way all the boost is getting into your engine.

These two mods alone will most likely make a BIG difference on a truck with 210k on it. I would bet that your up pipes are leaking.

The HPX and in tank mod are not going to add any power, but will prevent problems in the future and make things run smoother.

A 4" exhaust is going to do a lot of good also, and the MBRP ones are around 320 shipped from RiffRaff Diesel. I got mine the next day. LOVE it. And you'll pretty much need it if you run a chip.

The 6637 mod is a MUST, in my opinion. You never need to worry about anything leaking ever again.

Also, the CCV mod is a good idea and cheap, too. Keeps the intercooler nice and clean on the inside.

Then gauges and a chip. You should see over 300hp pretty easily with that, around 650lb-ft of torque, as much as 2-3mpg better, and should be less than 2500 bucks for everything.

Also- a new compressor wheel on the turbo may help take care of some surge, and if you replace the up pipes, it's easy to get to at the same time.


Honestly- you should do the maintenance-type stuff first. It makes no sense to try and get more power out of a truck that has boost leaks.

btw- none of this is in any particular order.... gauges are most likely the first thing you should do, so you know what is actually going on with your engine.

 

Adam and KevinWilly pretty much has you lined out and maintenance is very important. The big thing is you need to decide what you want before you do it do you don't end up doing it twice. Here are some rough numbers for you.

~290 hp - Intake, exhaust, DP >$1000
~340 hp - Intake, exhaust, DP, Stage 1 injectors >$2000
~400 hp - Intake, exhaust, DP, 38R, Stage 2 injectors $4000

 

You say you want to keep the "fuel Stock". Don't ignore some type of after market fuel return. You want to get those dead end fuel rails openned up. It doesn't have to be one of the expensive ones.

And welcome to .

 

~The truck needs a little TLC and now that I will have some time and money I plan on doing just that. As long my wife doesn't find out how much I plan to spend all should be well. Otherwise she may opt for a cruise . . . blahh. So it sounds like if I keep it below 400hp and watch the temps I should be alright.

~Thanks Clay for giving me the break down on what I can expect from each combination.

~How much would an after market fuel return run me and I guess that's something else to think about.

 

Riffraff Diesel: Fuel Rail Crossover™

 

This has been discussed ad nauseum here. Here is a good post for a starting point.

 

You'll get in the low 300s with just the "common" mods, plus custom tuning. I was at 311/681 on stock injectors & stock turbo. Personally, I think you should skip the stage 1 or 2 singles and just get hybrids. I was in your shoes last year. I decided on hybrids and a van turbo. On "stage 1" singles (whatever that means -- another long story) will get you about 360. Stage 2, about 380-390. I'm a bit over 400 with mine -- loving it!!

 

Casserly Stage 1 - 160cc Stock Nozzle Single Shot
Casserly Stage 2 - 160cc 100% Nozzle Single Shot
Casserly Stage 3 - 235cc 100% Nozzle Single Shot