First oil change, MicroTuner Temptation - Diesel Forum

2003E350 · 12-04-2002, 11:53 AM

I had my first oil change at 2440 miles. I have a 2500 mile road trip planned in the next week and did not want to push the first change past 3k. Also had the tires rotated and took an oil sample to send to Blackstone to get a baseline on the internals. While it was up on the lift I found Ford put removable plugs in the lower ball joints you can put grease fitting in, which I had done. They do not do this for the uppers unfortunately. I was impressed with dual piston calipers all around and no sign of any leakage anywhere so far. I burned maybe a 1/4 of a qt.of oil this first round. I will go 5k mile intervals from now on for the oil and rotations. While I was at FPS I was tempted by the Superchips MicroTuner. Anyone have any experience with one of these in their Van? I am curious of the results since we do not have an intercooler.

sixiron · 12-06-2002, 08:15 AM

The superchips microtuner was by far the best "bang for the buck" mod that I have done...it really woke the beast up and made it run like it should...it will give you good passing power and should improve the fuel milage a tad....but first (other guys will chime-in too): flow more intake and exhaust air (high flow filters and 4" exhaust) and get gauges (pyro and trans temp) for starters...I also had great results with improving the trans valve body for better shifts(sonnax valve and tricumulator springs) Others will add to this post I'm sure but if I had a new van I would still do these basic mods...WELCOME to site bd

2003E350 · 12-06-2002, 12:41 PM

I agree I should get the gauges first to watch what is going on when I add the SCMT. The 2003 has no cats. I was going to use up the factory air filters and then switch to K&N's. Thanks for the input. Anyone else?

Yardbrew · 12-07-2002, 08:19 AM

I added:

pyro for EGT (post turbo)

Tranny temp gauge

I am super conservative and timid, so this is about all I will do before the warranty runs out (25.5 K miles right now).

Next time I change air filters, will see about modifying the air box.
I use KN air filters now. I think the jury is still out concerning how much benefit you get by drilling holes in the air box. Can it hurt anything????

Will make an exhaust upgrade after that. Better breathing and maybe a bit cooler.

Would love to make the turbo run cooler somwhow. If I get a "wicked" or similar turbo mod, then I will move the EGT probe to pre-turbo in order to get a better reading.

The scarey part is that I didn't get my EGT pyro installed until about 10K and I had already pulled my loaded trailer 7,000 miles with the pedal to the metal going up hills and through the mountains. God only knows how hot the turbo temps got. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/depressed.gif[/img]

<font color="blue">2003E350 </font color> , you need a pyro NOW. Even running naked, I use it to shut down the engine.

Once the warranty runs out, I will get a chip immediately.

Am really tired of pulling my trailer with one eye on the pyro. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] (NOTE: if you're going to pull much weight for a lot of miles, get the 4.10).

Having said all of that, you can't beat the 3.55 if you're not going to pull anything heavy. My van seems to love 70 MPH on Texas highways.

If F**d puts a cooler in the 6.0 vans, I'm heading back to Cochise the day I find out. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

Yardbrew