I was thinking about some mods to my truck, and need some advice. I have a 2003 F-350 SD dually, and want to prolong the life as much as possible, but also get a little extra mileage and power. I am fairly happy with the performance of the truck for what I use it for, and love the fact that the truck can hardly be heard on the interstate while in the cab. I do want to keep it quiet, but was considering an exhaust to lower EGTs. Is there an aftermarket catback that will maintain this low noise?

Secondly, I am looking at a K&N filter kit #E-0780. I like the look of this kit, and like the fact that it is not an open filter element which should kelp keep the intake temp cool. I have run K&N filters on two of my Saleen Mustangs (one Procharged) and have liked them a lot, but recently I have heard a few negative things said about them on Superduty trucks. Is it a good idea or no?

Lastly, what oil do you recommend and at what interval? I figured I would go with a Motorcraft filter, but what brand oil is best for the truck? I have seen a lot of people talk about Rotella, but I have always heard it referred to as "cheap" or "crap" oil, and want to make sure I use something good for the SD. I am not really interested in going AmsOil, as the price is pretty high. Any suggestions here? Sorry for the stupid questions here, I am new to the diesel scene but loving it!

Please keep in mind when suggesting mods, oil, etc., is that I really want to protect the engine and make this 6.0L last as absolutely long as possible. Thanks guys!

 

Leave the oem air air filter. It does a great job and you won't gain anything from an aftermarket filter.

I use Rotella 5w40 synthetic and I change every 5,000 miles or when I get bored, whichever occurs first. Use only oem filters.

I don't know about any cat back systems since I am completely stock.

If you want to mod your truck, start with a coolant filter and ccv reroute.

Good luck, we're all counting on you.

 

Deff leave the OEM intake. The OEM intake is good for i think 500 hp. K&N's are terrible intakes in general and let in alot of dirt while bearly giving you anymore hp.

Maintenance on a 6.0 is KEY. The 6.0 isnt like the 7.3 where you dont have to be **** about maintenance. Changin your eng oil every 5k instead of 7.5k, using the right motor oil, using synthetic to prevent stiction, flushing your coolant every 50k instead of 75-100k, changing both of your fuel filters every 10k etc. You take care of your maintenance and your 6.0 will take care of you.. Also when you do the maintenance on your rig try to use motorcraft parts (fuel filters, oil filters, etc)

Good first mods to make the motor reliable are coolant filters, ccv reroute, EGR delete, head studs. These mods make the 6.0 relaible. Also make sure you have the latest flash from your dealership.

 

What they said. OEM air filter, synthetic oil is better, but Rotella is fine, Motorcraft or Racor filters. You can actually get the filters cheaper (fuel and oil) if you buy them from your local International dealer, you just need the part number and not mention it's for a Ford. For the exhaust, either go turbo back or leave it alone.

Welcome to FTE. Be sure and scroll further down the main forum listing and do some reading in the 6.0 diesel section. Get one of the guys to email you the spreadsheet so you've got a starting point in your reading.

 

F350-6, if you go exhaust, why would you go turbo back or nothin? Im not familiar with 6.0 am exhausts.

 

In my opinion, the only reason to upgrade the exhaust is to help with EGT's (exhaust gas temps). Cat back might make it sound better, but if you want to lower EGT's, you need to increase the diameter of the downpipe at the turbo.

 

Great info guys! Thanks a lot! I am pretty good on the EGR, as it was changed for a new one about 4000 miles ago when I snagged the truck, but when it gives me problems I will be changing it to a delete. How hard is it to change out the head studs... i.e. can I do this on a weekend with hand tools or do I need to remove the cab and have special tools? I can build a 4.6L in my sleep, but the Powerstrokes are a whole new ballgame to me.

 

EGR delete and turbo back exhaust sound like what you're looking for.

Replacing the head studs is not an easy task. One of the 4 wheel magazines did a writeup on this recently. It involves removing the cab. Most owners will wait until they have to pull the head (like a blown head gasket) to do this.

 

if you got the turbo back, would it be alot harder to install?

 

Yes it would, but many here have done it.

 

Great info. I was hoping that I could do the studs without removing the cab, I have always been a one to try and knock out a problem before it happens, but I might just wait until the head gaskets have issues. Hopefully that won't happen, if I keep the motor mostly stock and keep the temps down.

 

Also note, I have just started using Diesel Kleen (silver bottle). Is this a good choice, or no? Has anybody ever used the HotShotSecret.com stuff? Do you all recommend it to keep the fuel squirts clean? I hear that is a problem with the 6.0L. I have to also take the truck to the dealership to have the ECU reflashed due to a trailer brake controller upgrade. I have heard that I should get the newest software flashed. Is there anything that I need to ask for specifically?

One other thing. I know this is a noob question, but when the truck has sat for a day or so, it will puff out a little bluish white smoke for the first few seconds. Just to verify, but this is normal, correct?

 

I would like to (as kindly as possible) object to the idea of making sure the latest flash is obtained from the dealer for the truck. On my first 06, every time I got a new tsb flashed, either my milege would drop. or something would act funny about the truck. I think that if it works, why try to change. That is unless you have a problem with something. My new truck is under the knife right now getting the studs, egr delete, coolant recirculation, and an oil cooler. I am opting for them to not flash the pcm at all. I am however curious as to why you would want the latest flash for the truck. I do not wish to get into a pissing match about who knows more, just wanting to hear other people's logic.

 

Because the VCXF9 flash that was just released has ALOT of updates, including DTC's for mismatched EOT and ECT, sweeps the turbo vanes to help with sticking, cold starts, not to mention a TON of other good things.

I just got mine done this week and MAJOR difference in cold starts