Early 99 question

[powerstrok]

I have a early 99 f350 that I bought recently and from what I have heard the early 99's are lacking power that later models have but in my truck it seems to have very good performance and lots of power as far as I can tell everything is stock. It even seems to have more power than my dads 02 f250 7.3 how can this be?

[jakeharrington]

It could have a chip installed in it.

I have the e99 and its a great truck i feel. Its just that getting parts and trying to get a donor truck and dealing with parts guys is the only bad thing.

[FleetMan]

If it is running good, you are satisfied and do not plan to "Hot Rod" it, just run it and enjoy it. I've had my early '99 since June of 1998 and certainly enjoy it.

[powerstrok]

There is no chip on it but I am going to get a ts should I stay away from the 140 hp tune
herd it is hard on stock tranny and injectors won't flow enough

[bigassredtruck]

Originally Posted by powerstrok

There is no chip on it but I am going to get a ts should I stay away from the 140 hp tune
herd it is hard on stock tranny and injectors won't flow enough

Depends what you want to use the truck for. If you tow, the 140 is not recommended. If it’s an early ’99 with auto trans you probably have a catalytic converter, unless a previous owner removed it. With the 140 tune your EGT will max out. If you don’t have any way to monitor the EGT, you need to get a gauge installed. If you tow and it’s an auto, you need a trans temp gauge as well. If you consistently run with the EGT above 1250 degs you’ll ruin your turbo. Auto trans don’t live long if consistently run above ~230 degs.

I run stock injectors and normally run a 60 to 80 tune when not towing. When towing I use DP’s 40 to 60 tow tune, and adjust the throttle based on ETG. I especially pay close attention to EGT when pulling heavy in steep grades, and turn off the over-drive to increase RPMs. Add info regarding your truck (mods, lift, wheels, auto, manual, etc) that you know about to your signature.

[powerstrok]

Don't tow often but will use 40 tow will I see any gain from 120 race to 140 extreme
I am getting a pyrometer and soon getting straight pipe but till then going to keep egt's low

[Rich D]

If it's completely stock and you want to wake the truck up without blowing it up. I would suggest getting rid of the restrictive air box and uprade it with a AFE air intake, a 4" replacement exhaust system, and a 60hp or 80hp chip/tune.

[powerstrok]

I have heard of the Napa diy intake is this a good intake
How do you do it?

[Rich D]

There's lots of info on it, just goggle it. While it flows lots of air I don't like the Napa/Wix filter element exposed like it is as it's not good if it gets wet (it's a paper element) and it could. I use the AFE 24-91042, same size filter and I use a Pre filter cover with it.

[Machiner1]

Ford changed a lot of things between early 99 and late 99, but in my opinion they were all pretty minor. When I bought my early 99, I didn't know anything about these trucks except that I wanted a diesel, and I loved the body style.

Looking back, I would have looked for a late 99, but, Its not a big deal.

You say you don't have a chip, but the PCM may have been flashed with a tune. I'm not sure how you would tell for sure, but if you put a boost gauge on it and you can build more that 16 psi unloaded, its probably not stock.

[David C]

I put a DIY intake on my early '99 truck in 2007 and have had no problem with it getting wet. It is well back in the engine compartment and I can not see how it could get wet. I have checked mine many times and it is always dry.

Can not prove it has helped performance, but it is certainly as good or better than the factory system.

Truck had the original intake system replaced by Ford to eliminate the intake tube from within the wheel well (only for those who complained), which indeed did allow factory air filter to get wet. This introduced a new filter size, and dealers (for a while at least) had to inventory both sizes. Auto parts stores often stocked one size and not the other so this lead to difficulty in obtaining the correct filter. I switched to the DIY to eliminate the hassle of returning filters or not finding the correct one when needed.

[Grape Ape]

The Diy filter (napa) makes a big difference in performance and power. I have had my truck since new and it has 630km on it and still going stong. The filter was changed from stock about five to six years ago and made a big difference. It has never lacked on power always towed what ever needed 5-8 tonnes.

[Jay Brunson]

I've heard the early 99's had better turbos but don't have anything to back that up. Front bearings and rotors are different. When they go, upgrade to later style. As far as power, I regularly pull 30k at hay time. Original motor, still pulls fine. No blowby or motor problems ever. (Knocking on wood now) This is the best truck I've ever heard of....period. 330k miles and still going STRONG. Get gauges and a good intake system (afe) and it will last. Check the factory air box if it still has it, they were notorious for cracking and letting unfiltered air in. Mine has a build date of 2/98. Good luck with yours. Take care of it, budget for a transmission rebuild if it has not been done and add the 6.0 cooler up front ( mine went at 160k, never got hot, and no warning) and it will last longer than most.
Jay

[caryt]

Use a Tymar intake...it won't get wet and besides the Donaldsons won't suck water like clones..

I'd get a TS chip then your free to use any tuner you choise ..won't be locked to just one.

Early 99's had 120cc inj's and a 15* HPOP the later ones had 140cc and a 17* HPOP..both pumps will drop HPO when used with a chip and hotter tunes.

I'd get some stage 1's if your looking for more HP..

You will need support mods with Inj's

Pm-email me if I can help.

Cary

[powerstrok]

Have the chip on its way but now wondering if the pcm has been flash tuned if so would it hurt to go ahead and put the chip in?
Would ford reflash the pcm to stock for under $100