Too Many Options = Confusion
 

After reading a hundred or so threads here at FTE, You folks are simply intimidating with your obviously vast knowledge and profound use of acronyms. I bought my '99 7.3 PSD 4x2 long bed club cab to haul a car trailer, perform general loading and hauling and use on my hunting lease here in Central TX. I follow the owner's manual religously for oil and all filter changes and routine maintenance. I drive the truck maybe 8K a year mainly on the highway and city streets, 6-10 times/year on my dear lease, and maybe twice a year to haul my '67 mustang to Odessa and back (500 miles rt). I don't abuse the truck but occasionally I do stomp on it as when entering a highway with 70mph+ traffic (I love hearing the "whistle").

Now, with 118K under its hood, I find myself wondering what I can do to "wake-up" some of its hidden capabilities. Between chips & tuners & gauges & exhaust & injectors (sheesh!) - it's too much to try and sort through to decide what I want to do with the truck. I'd like to improve power, torque and performance without sacrificing mileage. I don't want to race the thing nor do I have a need to "show off for the girls"....but I get the feeling that my truck is capable of much more.

How about this for a start: what could I do with $2000 and 12 months to do it in?

Can you advise a novice?

Thanks in advance.:-huh

2000?
 

well with $2000 you could easily get a programmer and exhaust, and probobly an intake system as well. i normally install all of these at my shop when people are looking for a little more power and economy. its a good package for the money and it doesent take long at all to install. you could do it all yourself in half a day.

I've been looking at the Edge Platinum w/Attitude monitor. It seems to have the basic "stuff" without needing to hang all the external guages and such.

What's up with the exhaust? The stock system isn't good enough? What's the problem with it?

Any recommendations on an intake system?

Thanks for the reply.

The Stock Exhaust Is Restrictive And An Aftermarket One Would Get Exhaust Temps Out. And An Afe Intake Is The Better Of Them All.

4 inch turbo back=$400
Napa 6637 filter=$30 or AFE Stage II=$400 or AIS=$200
Gauge pod w/boost,tranny,pyro=$350
DP-tuner=$250+

With any engine, the more volume of air with the least restriction you can get in and out of the engine the better it will run. Even if you go with the pricey AFE intake, you will still be under $2000.

I Mention Afe Because It Is A Nice Kit With A Battery Tray And Is Well Built. You Get Your Moneys Worth.

I also don't need to race or impress but I wanted to tap some of the unused performance that these 7.3's have. I pull a 13k 5'ver and wanted to improve the fuel mileage and power. The first thing I did was install a 6637 air filter and an Edge/Attitude chip. I'll be adding a 4 or 5 inch exhaust system soon as well so the engine can breath better. When I'm finished I think that will be it for the mods other than perhaps a coolant filter. You should be able to get all of these mods for under or around 2 grand and have a great running truck with some zip when you need it along with fuel savings......With the travelling I'm planning to do over the next two years I should have at least the chip paid for in fuel savings. Hope this helps.

Thanks, guys...this really helps. I was a pretty fair mechanic in my day, but diesels and the new technologies available for them make my head spin. I'll look into these three mod areas soon.

By the way: any recommendations on exhaust systems? Is what you are thinking about a bolt-on or do I need to get someone to do some welding? Reliable brands?

Thanks again

I like my AIS cause it works and still looks stock. but that is me.
also my MBRP 4" stainless is nice too. gauges are this week alont with a module.
happy shopping

Exhaust Is Bolt On. Very Easy

Thanks. I looked at Magnaflow and may contact one of their local dealers. I'll also look at other brands.

MTDewX..."AIS"?..."MBRP"?

me on a budget:

Muffler Delete= $20
Spw Pyro & Tranny Gauge= $100
80HP Econo Tune from Jody= $75

$195 and my truck is gonna rock!! Still waiting on the PCM...

empiretc, with that muffler delete, is the truck alot louder out side the truck? is it louder inside the truck when idling and driving? like anoying loud for long trips?

its louder outside, but not really inside. i like the sound not annoying at all.

with 2 grand you can do alot for your truck and you won't ever want to go back.

Total cost: $1,408 (my planned amount)
(best done in this order but at least gauges before chip)
airfilter: $18
wicked wheel: $95
exhaust: $595 (4 inch silverline)
guages: $325 +/-
6 pos. chip: $375 +/-

You could go full out and go the racer route, but then 2 grand looks like a drop in a large bucket. But as long as you can use that bucket to soak the guy in the vehicle beside you...