I got around to watching almost every video on the 7.3 at powerstrokehelp.com yesterday. He is all about this propane setup he has. Do anyone run propane? I don't ever see anything about propane in anyone signature- that's why I ask. I'm interested in the increased mpgs he got from it (23?).

Also, the same guy at powerstrokehelp.com was really downing turners that you put into the truck. He likes tuners that you plug into the truck, change the tunes, then disconnect. He was saying that you run a better chance of not hurting the truck that way. As soon as I can get gauges I want to get a turner and after seeing this I have no idea what to get.

 

He gets 23mpg with propane, I get 20 without. Sometimes as high as 22 doing pure highway. Ive looked and not too interested in it. Im about to do water methanol injection for 2 reasons. 1 it works like an intercooler, 2 creates more power at the same time. Also supposed to improve emissions, and fuel mileage. Not too sure about those but the cooling and power definately make sense. I think tuners are trash, at least the plug in and change the program and then pull them style. They in my opinion are really only useful if you need a code reader. The full time chips that offer shift on the fly offer more power and customizabilty than any flash unit and can be reprogrammed to whatever you need. Edge makes programmers such as the evolution which I have told many people about how to fix their trucks after using one. There are lots of horror stories about them here, they make work on some trucks but on OBS they cause more damage than gains. Look into water meth before you decide on propane. The technology has been around since world war II and in my opinion is far more proven. And stay away from programmers.

 

So, full time chips with shift on the fly sound like the way to go and stay away from the flash programmers. Got it. What hp do you get the best mpgs. Someone was saying +90 hp gives him the best.

As far as water/methanol injection, is it as simple as propane? What I like about propane is it is pretty much a regulator, tank, and programmer. He did say that one tank gets him like 700+ miles? Can't remember exactly how much. Would you have to fill up this water/methanol less or what. just trying to look at all the advantages/disadvantages of both

 

The only guy here running propane is madvan bill.

The thing with propane is it is very volatile.

If you do a home brew kit, your asking for trouble if your not experienced in propane injection. You'll easily blow tips off your injectors injecting the wrong amounts of propane into the system.

Now, as for what propane does benefit is a hotter cleaner burn, which results in a slight increase in fuel mileage.

If you ask a lot of guys on here, they do not recommend it. Its just to much of a pain.

I always thought it was a great idea also, but then talked to some of our resident experts here about it, and decided I at least wouldn't do it on a 7.3 PSD.
Now, when I build a 12 valve cummins truck, it will probably have propane.

 

Ok, to straighten out any information here that isn't copacetic....

First, there isn't anything wrong with most flash programmers you can get from most places; Edge, Superchips, SCT, etc. They all incorporate a good bit of transmission programming alterations that help to cope with the added power that they provide. They all will provide the maximum HP that your stock injectors can give you....which is about 65 or so (up to almost 80 on a healthy truck) extra to the rear wheels. Yes, some run smoother or quieter than others but they will all breathe new life into your truck and make it feel like a different animal. Some go a bit farther with things like shift points and "fine tuning" but they all work as advertised.

The reports of any of them damaging transmissions are unfounded. If a transmission is going to fail with a flash programmer, then it was going to fail anyway.

"10K"-style modules that simply increase injection pressure CAN damage transmissions. They cause early upshifts and the PCM can actually command LESS pressure during the upshifts.

Now as far as the propane goes....
Don't do it. Simply put, the propane is added to the intake air charge (not through the injection system) and with the help of the injected diesel, ignites and adds an extra "push" to the piston. The problem is that the propane can add too much "push" too soon and cause elevated cylinder pressures that make the connecting rods give up and exit out of the side of the block. The bottom ends of our 7.3Ls cannot take that much cylinder pressure. Very little propane CAN be introduced, but in effect, it's very little and may not give ANY mileage increase. Do not try to use propane on a 7.3L for power gains.

 

Thanks for the inputs. I have a manual so, should I be even less worried about damage from flash programmers?I mean, IF the only concern with them is how they affect the tranny with shift points and all. That makes me think... Do the flash programmers they sell differentiate between man/auto?

As far as propane, it sounds like it's not all its cracked up to be. I do need to pm madvan though to get a unbiased look at it. Hopefully he's for it- lol. What about this water/methanol though. How often do you have to fill up the methanol, how much is a good setup, etc. If it does give the same results as propane with lower egts, it only makes since to go that route.

 

Don't worry about it then since you have a manual.

The flash programmer simply downloads the existing memory inside your truck's PCM, alters the code where it needs to be altered to make the power gains (and transmission changes), and then reflashes the PCM memory.

 

Cleatus is right about flash programmers.

I'd still avoid them, there are just better alternatives that do not modify the PCM, thats my personal though.
The chips you plug in do the same thing the programmers do, but do not modify the PCM.

If you do not remove a programmer correctly, it will screw up the PCM and require you to take it to the dealership for a reflash.

 

.....in addition to what Talyn said......

sometimes the older PCMs get a bit of "drift" in the clock speed and communications bus and freak out when they are programmed.

It's best to go with a chip in the 95-97 trucks due to this problem.

Basically, I just wanted to let you know that there is nothing wrong with the tuning on flash programmers.