Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Intake before Tuner?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 09:37 PM
  #1  
KH85's Avatar
KH85
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Intake before Tuner?

Heys guys. I've got an 03 7.3l F250. I've been readin up on gettin a tuner and i decided to go with a DP. My question is do i need to get an intake before i get the tuner? Are the custom tuners calibrated depending on the intake and/or exaust? And i am gettin new 4" tb exaust. before the tuner. Thanks in advance!
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 10:29 PM
  #2  
Riffraff Diesel's Avatar
Riffraff Diesel
PREMIUM SPONSOR
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,039
Likes: 74
Welcome to FTE man!

It is really up to you, it isn't going to make enough of a difference to matter in the end. I personally get the intake and exhaust first myself.
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 10:29 PM
  #3  
Toreador_Diesel's Avatar
Toreador_Diesel
FTE Leadership Emeritus
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,253
Likes: 763
From: Houston, Texas
Club FTE Gold Member
Intake and exhaust first, then tuner...it's how I did it and really made a difference when I got the tuner
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 10:51 PM
  #4  
Lstanley's Avatar
Lstanley
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Maple Ridge
Also dont forget the gauges. (trans/pyro/boost)
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:02 PM
  #5  
GEugeneS's Avatar
GEugeneS
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
Getting the tuner first gives you the cheapest, quickest rush. That's what I did and i'm lovin' it. I can't stand to drive the thing "stock". And yes, don't forget the gauges.
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:12 PM
  #6  
KH85's Avatar
KH85
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
From: Washington
K thanks guys. I would prefer to do intake/exaust first. But im die'n to get the tuner. And yes when I get the tuner the gauges are goin in too. So with all that stuff it adds up fast. Guess I was just lookin to see if it would be a problem to run a tuner with a stock/restrictive intake.

So while on the topic. What would you guys recomend for an intake? I was lookin at the AFE Stage 2. Will goin with a top of line intake be worth the money?
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2010 | 12:33 AM
  #7  
Pocket's Avatar
Pocket
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
The most important thing when modifying a truck (and even highly recommended for unmodified trucks) is to get gauges.

Once you have gauges, then do what you want, in what order you want.

I did intake/gauges first, then chip, then exhaust.

My parents have gauges and a chip in their truck, and has been that way for years. Still stock intake and stock exhaust. They regularly tow a 5th-wheel just about every other weekend. No problems.

So it's up to you. If you want the chip first, get it. As long as you have gauges to monitor what's going on, then you'll be fine.

As for the type of intake to get, again that's up to you. The 3 most common recommendations are the DIY (6637), the Ford AIS, and the AFE. I've personally run the 6637 and the AFE Stage II on my truck. Performance-wise, I can't tell the difference. However the AFE looks better under the hood, and with the shield... engine noise is slightly reduced compared to the 6637. Both intakes are louder than stock or the Ford AIS, as both the stock and AIS are closed boxes that muffle much of the engine and turbo noise.

So if you like loud, then the 6637 or AFE is for you. If you like quiet, the Ford AIS is the way to go. If you have a family and take road trips, you'll appreciate quiet.
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2010 | 03:20 AM
  #8  
orng1's Avatar
orng1
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,158
Likes: 0
From: Paramount, Ca
Originally Posted by Toreador_Diesel
Intake and exhaust first, then tuner...it's how I did it and really made a difference when I got the tuner
Yup, that's how I did mine. Intake first, exhaust and tuner last.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:13 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE