I'm about to head down this path and looking for any advise before I make the first big purchase...

The end result will be a reliable Excursion that is a DD and hauls loads probably not more than 10k and EGTs not much of an issue, 1200 max. I am more focused on towing rather than hitting high HP numbers in the upper RPM band. Current mods in sig.

I've found a used 38r with a non-EBV exhaust outlet and non-EBV pedestal for $900. Would a van turbo or even my modifed stocker keep up? Or is 900 well spent on the 38r?

Next step after that would be Stage II singles...probably 160 / 80%

Tunes TBD

and JW VB for now and then a trans when funds allow.


Any suggestions, experience, etc?

 

38R for sure.. the Adrenaline or moded pump from joey and a set of comp 910 valve springs...

 

When I chose my injectors I was told by several injector suppliers and my tuner of choice to stay as close to stock nozzle size as possible. It was explained to me that this helps broaden the torque curve out. I chose 175/146's. they should be here next week. can't wait!

Barney

 

I was reading your thread eariler. I don't think I'll be towing quite as heavy as you but I'd rather have the option to rather than the other end of the spectrum...anyways please let me know how the injectors play out. I'm thinking of getting 160cc that are 80% over stock built from rosewood...he told me that they'd be great for towing depending on the tunes...

 

the new in is a set of 238/80 hybrid...they can cut them back for towing with no ill affect at all..them make them push over 500 HP...but you should have custom fueling done first...mine is do in on wednesday..and you dont want to do this on PMR's..

 

 

500HP in a 7.3 PSD means either:

1) you've sunk as much in to your engine as it cost to buy your truck... or more, OR
2) you'll soon be dumping 4 gallons of oil & 8 gallons of coolant on the road if you haven't done #1

I'd rather brag that my engine made it to 500,000 miles without a rebuild over "I beat the Dodge/Chevy/ricer...". To each their own, but I think Barney's setup is how I'll roll (or Stage I Casserly injectors). I bit more juice than stock, and fun to drive, but able to WORK. Hybrids are incredibly flexible, no doubt, but I'm flat-out not interested in big HP numbers; it's not why I bought my truck. Plus, Stage I's are $1100, while hybrids are $2500(ish). That $1400 difference more than covers your turbo, and leaves $$$ in the bank. Barney has 4.88s in that beautiful rig of his, so he'll outpull us all day long, but you'll find 2 "major" camps of thinking with these trucks:

a) make it pull as much as possible
c) make it fast

You & I, we're more in the b group, right in between.

 

stick with the stage one...
well said...you need to think about where you want to be in the end..if you want D) all of the above.. it will take time and $$$... with hyprids..you can have both worlds...but there is other parts that needs to be delt with first..

 

Agreed. Hope I didn't come across as looking for a HP number, 'cause I'm not. My interest would break down around 85% towing and 15% speed. Also 100% agree on the longivity vs. racing. I'm also planning on swaping out my 3.73s with either 4.10s or 4.30s...

 

Something to keep in mind is when you go to a high numeric rear end ratio is that internal engine wear excelerates at that % over which you had previously in your rear end. Just more engine revolutions for the same miles traved when you go from 3.73 to 4.88, all things being equal of course. Roy

 

Yup, just trying to keep the rpm in the same range as stock with a lift and tires....also help air flow

 

The 38R with stage 1's would be a great setup. I had stage 1's, but they ran like crap, sent them to Ryan Casserly and he put his nozzles on it and checked them out (one had a bad barrel & plunger), got them back as stage 2's and it's awesome how this things tows!!

Ater dyno'ing with the crappy injectors (325hp) and stock turbo compared to the 38R with stage 2's, I imagine I'm pushing 400hp, SOTP feel anyway. That's in the performance tune from Tony, which he needs to do some retuning to the injectors and 38R now too!
This setup never quits pulling, that turbo lights up so much quicker, definitely helps keep the smoke down.

I would look at a bigger exhaust, possibly full 4" to help keep EGT's down. Regearing to the lift and bigger tires will help, but I don't think I'd go much over 4.10's.

 

I had the 175/146 injectors and stock turbo with Jody's tuning and my truck was a pulling machine with that set up but a 38R will make it a much better set up and lower the egt's I ran it for 8 months and the PMS bug hit me hard again. So I now have hybrids with the 38R and running the same tunes as before and its a fun driving, pulling machine. I do need to get the tunes updated. For $900.00 grab that 38R you want regret it.

 

Was 10k an issue for you, or the reliability...IMHO, you have been bitten by the PMS bug...your EX in stock form should be able to pull 10k without reliability issues, higher EGT's, or any mods...from your pic, it's a good lookin EX, save that dough and keep it looking good...in stock form, you will have better reliability...UNLESS, you are towing 10k everyday...apologies for stepping on anybody else's comments, don't mean to, but my .02 is that your EX with a class 5 hitch is quite good for what you want to accomplish...unless you secretly really do want a higher HP number...just get clean air in, and dirty air out faster, and everything else will work itself out...

 

David -

No offense taken. My old F250 did struggle in the mountains with 4k. Bad. I haven't towed that with the Ex yet but I don't want it to happen. There isn't any secret about what someone wants. I would like the Ex to be more nimble in traffic (acceleration wise) but at the same time I don't have a set HP number I want to hit on the dyno either. Could the Ex pull 10k up here in CO up a pass? To be honest, I dont' know...probably but I don't think it would get out of second...