First pull today "disappointed" - Page 2 - Diesel Forum

swhitney · 06-18-2003, 04:25 PM

The programmer (Superchips or Hypertech) make a huge difference. What you feel is not the 50-80hp, but the 100=ft/lbs even a mild programmer can add to these rigs. With that much weight, gauges are a must if you reprogram the truck. Monitor then add mods (exhaust, intake etc.) as you need them to keep things safe EGT wise.

The programmmer on mine was a big difference, and I only pull 5000lbs. It stopped almost all downshifting out of overdrive, and made getting up to speed much better.

jschira · 06-18-2003, 06:43 PM

Haven't pulled anything heavy yet, but my '03 X is a rocket compared to my early '99 SD.

I know that the '03 has 25 more hp, but it weigh 2000 lbs. more too.

dmftoy1 · 06-19-2003, 08:14 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The programmer (Superchips or Hypertech) make a huge difference. What you feel is not the 50-80hp, but the 100=ft/lbs even a mild programmer can add to these rigs. With that much weight, gauges are a must if you reprogram the truck. Monitor then add mods (exhaust, intake etc.) as you need them to keep things safe EGT wise.

The programmmer on mine was a big difference, and I only pull 5000lbs. It stopped almost all downshifting out of overdrive, and made getting up to speed much better.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's exactly my experience. Believe it or not, I can now tow slower than I could without the programmer. Before, if I tried to tow at 55-60 a highway overpass would cause a downshift. (strangely 65mph didn't). After the programmer, I can hold it in overdrive with normal EGT's and drive anywhere from about 52-70 and most normal hills don't cause the downshift. That's a big deal here in Illinois as 55 is max legal speed while towing.

Have a good one,
Dave

PSDExcursion · 06-19-2003, 08:38 AM

[ QUOTE ]
First; I want to say that no one should be pulling their trailer @ 75mph since stopping that would be quite interesting in an emergency.

[/ QUOTE ]

75 is bad, but 65 is good? So you are saying that an emergency stop at 65 wouldn't be interesting? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I tow the speed limit. If it's 70, I go 70. If it's 65, I go 65. I feel that being a rolling roadblock is considerably worse than going the speed limit. Besides, the truck runs *so* much better between 72 and 75 I can't belive it. Not only that, but I don't have any problems with surge like I did when I was running 70. If I'm going up a big hill and I hit the bottom at 70, I'll be surging before I'm halfway up. If I hit it at 72 - 75 I won't have any surge problems. Try it, you may be surprised. After running this weekend like that, I'm seriously reconsidering my wheel installation.

HOWEVER, I will admit that ya can't pull all grades at 75. So far around here it's not been a problem. If I had more steep grades to contend with, I'd get a new wheel. Also, this is after I had my WD original chip reprogrammed. I never asked if they put a new program in there, but it does run cooler EGT wise. I've got plenty of power above 70. It just flat out runs like a top at 75. I have a feeling that replacing the wheel would move that 'feeling' down to a lower speed. The big problem that I see with the 99.5+ wheel is that you really need to move the CFM through the motor to avoid surge. When people say that Ford designed (spec'ed?) the wheel right on the edge of surge, they weren't kidding. I'll get it at 70, but not above 72.

Ok, so here's a wheel question: how much boost did you loose?

Also a response to the original poster: It'll take a few more miles to break in, but pulling that trailer will defintely hasten the process. My truck had 10K+ miles on it, and really didn't finally break in until I pulled the trailer a few times. To make that X a pulling machine, I'd do the following (in order):

1. Gauge set (Pyro, Boost & Trans)
2. 4" turbo back exhaust (the DI one is GREAT)
3. Some sort of chip (I think the microtuner is a good idea, makes taking it in for warranty work EZ. Wish I had one!)

Sorry about the rambling post...you guys got me thinking! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Michael

kenvanek · 06-19-2003, 11:26 AM

I just met wuth a Banks dealer. He told me that ford allows Banks equipment and will not void the warranty. He recommends the Stinger plus system with level 4 chip. This will add about 100hp and 250 ft/lbs on the ground. System cost $3000 installed

JADFPE · 06-19-2003, 11:40 AM

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He told me that ford allows Banks equipment and will not void the warranty.

[/ QUOTE ]

Get it in writing. No way will Ford not void your warranty in my opinion. Make sure you are covered.

Hope this helps,
John [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

jschira · 06-19-2003, 12:08 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I just met wuth a Banks dealer. He told me that ford allows Banks equipment and will not void the warranty. He recommends the Stinger plus system with level 4 chip. This will add about 100hp and 250 ft/lbs on the ground.

[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting because the 4R100 is only rated by Ford at about 550 ft.-lbs. I can't see Ford authorizing putting 750-800 ft.-lbs. through it.

PSDExcursion · 06-19-2003, 12:23 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
He told me that ford allows Banks equipment and will not void the warranty.

[/ QUOTE ]

Get it in writing. No way will Ford not void your warranty in my opinion. Make sure you are covered.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed, agreed, agreed! I call BS on your Banks dealer. Installing the stuff may not void the warranty, BUT if you have a failure and it is traced back to anything that has been installed by the end user AND it is proven to cause the failure, you WILL be denied warranty coverage.

Tell him, "OK, then put that in writing for me" and you'll see how fast his tune changes. Don't be fooled!!

Michael

CHPMustang · 06-19-2003, 12:43 PM

I used to be a warranty contract tower for Ford Dealerships in the Sacramento CA area and I know if a vehicle was to go in for say a drivetrain or engine problem(Powerstroke) under warranty and the tech was to see the purty little performance chip in the side of the computer or the seal broken,he may say "Oops" and I've been witness to that a few times [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/depressed.gif[/img]

After the warranty is up go to town and get the biggest chip available!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

But if the salesman states it WILL NOT VOID WARRANTY,get it in writing to cover your nut [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

-BILL

JADFPE · 06-19-2003, 01:12 PM

I always remember a saying, "If you play, you pay." when it comes to aftermarket items that could easily void the warranty. Just a thought to remember.

John [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

dmftoy1 · 06-19-2003, 04:54 PM

You may be ok at the installing dealer, but if you're on the road it's a crapshoot. I would be willing to bet the banks dealer is going to give him a copy of MM Act as a way of putting it in writing.

That price seems a bit high, maybe the labor is more than I expect, but I would talk to banks myself if you're going to go that route. They always quoted me good prices, and the hardest part of the stinger plus is the exhaust and it's not that hard.

Just my .02

Regards,
Dave

kenvanek · 06-19-2003, 05:05 PM

dmftoy1

The labor he quoted was $544. It is the stinger plus system with the level 4 chip.

jogiba · 06-19-2003, 05:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I tow the speed limit. If it's 70, I go 70. If it's 65, I go 65. I feel that being a rolling roadblock is considerably worse than going the speed limit. Besides, the truck runs *so* much better between 72 and 75 I can't belive it. Not only that, but I don't have any problems with surge like I did when I was running 70. If I'm going up a big hill and I hit the bottom at 70, I'll be surging before I'm halfway up. If I hit it at 72 - 75 I won't have any surge problems. Try it, you may be surprised. After running this weekend like that, I'm seriously reconsidering my wheel installation.

[/ QUOTE ]
It works for me too. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

ExcursionPSD · 06-19-2003, 06:15 PM

DITTO to the advice from the experienced ones regarding warranty considerations.

I think you owe it to yourself to...

<ul type="square"> [*]Let the engine breakin before you get disappointed, 10k will make a difference. [*]If you want to do something NOW, EGT and transmission temp. gauges are a good investment. [*]Replacing the muffler with a less restrictive one, such as a Walker BTM makes a nice improvement (with no warranty concerns) for $100 total [*]Try a towing chip or a programmer with a towing program, it will amaze you and may well satisfy you for much less $$ then the full Banks option. This will definitely be the most bang for buck. [/list]
The reason not many have responded to the rear end ratio question is that ALL Excursion and ALL SuperDuty pickups (equipped with single rear wheel) have a 3.73 axle ratio when equipped with a Power Stroke Diesel.

If you want to pull a big load, make sure you have well maintained brakes and tires on the Excursion and trailer, as well as a good brake controller, and a properly balanced hitch setup/trailer load. Upgrading your shocks and springs wouldn't hurt.

jogiba · 06-19-2003, 07:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The reason not many have responded to the rear end ratio question is that ALL Excursion and ALL SuperDuty pickups (equipped with single rear wheel) have a 3.73 axle ratio when equipped with a Power Stroke Diesel.

[/ QUOTE ]
The 2004 E350 Van or Wagon has 3.55 standard and 4.10 optional with the 325HP/560Tq PSD . With the shorter LT245/75R16E tires and 4.10LS it should tow better (on paper) than any SRW PSD 2004 Ford truck.