I have a 1997 F250 super cab PSD with 330K miles and a single position chip..... I was told i could not go with a bigger chip because of the fact i dont have an intercooler. Is this true? I was thinking of buying an intercooler off of a 99 and a piping kit to hook up. Is it worth it? I have stock injectors (to the best of my knowledge), with K&N and 3" straight pipe from the turbo back. I have also been informed that i need to ditch the K&N filter. Any suggestions? I would also like to know what i need to do to get better mileage... I get 16mpg now

 

As far as mileage goes, you're not doing too bad. A good chip with custom tunes on it will help a little, so will making sure that your wheel bearings are greased, your brakes (especially the rears) aren't dragging, your tires are properly inflated, that your alignment is good and that all your front end bushings (Dana 50) are good and tight. The best thing you can do to improve the mileage is to drive like a granny. Soft pedal the throttle, let it shift early, stay below 2,000 RPM and stay out of the boost of the turbo. Not much fun but the biggest change you can make to improve the fuel mileage is to adjust the nut behind the steering wheel.

My reply, copied from the old thread:

Hey Fantasy, Welcome to the site!

As long as you just have stock injectors, you don't need an intercooler regardless of what chip you have. Unless you have a Cali truck you're only spraying 90cc of fuel, which isn't enough to cause the need for an I/C.

A couple (unsolicited) words of advice though; 1 -- ditch that K&N and get a 6637 kit. You can get them from Riffraff Diesel (as a kit) or build your own with a filter you can get at NAPA. 2 -- You can't really get a "bigger" chip. What you can do is get a chip that tunes that are burned for the configuration of your truck specifically. Look for a TS 6 position chip from PHP, TDP, or similar or a chip from DP Tuner. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT bother with a product from EDGE. They spend a lot of money on advertising, money that they refuse to pay when their programmer ruins your PCM.

Here is some reading on the subject of Chips and Tuners:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rogrammer.html

Aside from that, yes the IC is a good upgrade if and when you decide to upgrade to bigger injectors, but until then, you're likely alright. The only way to know for sure is to install a set of gauges and watch the EGTs with your chip. Installing the gauges should really be the step just before installing a chip anyway. You need to keep an eye on things so you don't end up ruining something.

Again, welcome to the site. Hang around here and we will gladly suggest dozens of ways for you to spend all your $$!

 

Thank you very much for your help! My trucks color scheme is identical to yours but super cab not crew! LOVE IT!

 

Like this ?......

 

EXACTLY! but i have a front bumper and i do not have the amber roof lights.

I LOVE MY TRUCK!!!!

 

........me too!

 

Welcome to FTE by the way! If you love your truck, this is a good place to be!

 

My truck, like i said is 97 powerstroke turbo diesel, small chip, K&N, 3" straight pipe and a shift kit. I'm going to order that 6637 filter DIYmechanic told me to get and any other "right off the bat cheaper upgrades" i can get advice on from you guys! Please advise

 

inter-cooler is not a must have, but it helps lower the pressurized intake air temps. as far as a "single position chip" goes, that could be almost anything.

dumping the K&N filter though is a good idea.
they do not do a very good job of keeping fines out, and there is a very good chance they will let the fines in causing a condition known as "dusting" of the turbo and cylinder walls.
if this occurs, you can kiss your engine good by.

 

Now that's just weird.... You guys aren't going to be offended if I change the color of my truck are you!?

 

Nope....I was thinking about painting mine black!

 

Awwwe man, we're still going to be twins! I have a set of black front fenders two black front doors (well 4 actually) and black bed with tailgate that will be going onto the truck as soon as time and funds allow. I figure I will paint the rear doors and cab black, bolt up the pieces and go! That will be the way it rolls for a while until I get the funds in order to have it all professionally painted a different (undetermined) color.

 

LOL!.....my crew cab is gonna be black too!........unless I change my mind before that time comes.

 

Fantasysoftail88, is your truck long bed or short bed?