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!

 

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.

 

Intake and exhaust first, then tuner...it's how I did it and really made a difference when I got the tuner

 

Also dont forget the gauges. (trans/pyro/boost)

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

Yup, that's how I did mine. Intake first, exhaust and tuner last.