Favorite Upgrade To Increase Engine & Drivetrain Longevity

[TooCoolTwo]

Thought it might help some of the newbies and even some of us "oldies" if we each posted our one favorite upgrade/mod to increase the longevity of our 7.3L engine/drivetrains to make them last longer. I will start:

Mine is the Ford Severe Duty AIS intake system!

Mike

[ironworker25]

guages should be a top mod

[clydesdale]

For longevity:

Oilguard bypass filter and synthetic rotella
coolant filter and elc

[clamgulch]

You guys hit it right on the head already. Clean oil and clean air. For those who don't know better, do NOT install a K&N air filter. They don't seal down properly in the stock air box and suck dust around them wearing the engine totally out in no time.
Three years ago there were some reports of bypass oil filtering setups being too agressive and causing added wear, so do your homework.
I also agree that gauges should be one of the first mods, with EGT and tranny temp gauges being necessary even on a stock tuned truck. Start fooling with boost and you need a boost gauge, because you are going to exceed the parameters of the stock turbo, which looks neat on the boost gauge but in fact means you are pre-heating the air and reducing the number of O2 molecules in a given volume.
I also like the idea of running straight piped exhaust and did on my excursion because it didn't require a cat from the factory to meet emissions in 2000.

[mjmoor2]

Originally Posted by clamgulch

For those who don't know better, do NOT install a K&N air filter. They don't seal down properly in the stock air box and suck dust around them wearing the engine totally out in no time.

Ok, I am a newbie here... the above statement just made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

I have been running a K&N for 60K miles.... Is there any way to validate a poor seal? Is there a way to clean up the mess that might have been caused, or am I screwed?

M

[KF6ZVT]

mjmoor2

You might find trace amounts of dust in the rubber tubes between the filter and the turbo. Sometimes it depends on how dusty the roads are where you drive.

Be aware than not all K&Ns leak, but it's not worth the risk. K&N advises that users apply a sealing material to the gasket on the filter ("special" K&N grease).

I trashed my K&N after 25K miles. There are plenty of alternatives that work far better. I went with an AIS, others use a Tymar, and others have engineered their own. The stock setup is not bad if you don't modify the truck.

[mjmoor2]

Thanks for the reply.

I live down a long gravel driveway, so.. dust is an issue.

I do intent to do a few mods in the next 2 weeks, but the K&N went on the first time I did an airfilter change....

So, you are saying, for now, I might as well go back to stock?

thanks again,
M

[444-4D]

Originally Posted by mjmoor2

Ok, I am a newbie here... the above statement just made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

I have been running a K&N for 60K miles.... Is there any way to validate a poor seal? Is there a way to clean up the mess that might have been caused, or am I screwed?

M

Get an oil analysis. If the filter is leaking you will have high silicon and iron. But in the meantime, relax. Most of the people who talk about leaky air box with K&N filters don't know the source of the rumor. If you have the correct filter in your truck, there is a better than average chance it isn't leaking. But if you drive in a dusty enviroment you should be using a Ford AIS system.

[444-4D]

Originally Posted by clamgulch

Three years ago there were some reports of bypass oil filtering setups being too agressive and causing added wear, so do your homework.

How would a bypass oil filter be too agressive?

[Homemade WRX]

subscribed. As a new I'll be intereseted to see everyone's favorites

[Chrysler79]

Great thread! For newbs like myself this is a blessing. I purchaced my 97 last summer, and it came with a K&N in the stock airbox although it didn't look very old. Now I have full justification to purchace the Cold air intake I've had my eye on. NOT A K& N

You know I've heard not so good things about the K&N on my motorcycle too. Most people say to keep the stock filter on that compairativley.

The guages will come soon. I have an auto tranny and I was wondering how many miles you can typically get out of it. I know there are alot of factors. My truck has 180K and I don't think it's ever been rebuilt. Anyway keep up the info. It's great.

[High PSI]

Larger(6.0) tranny cooler

[mjmoor2]

444-4D,

Thanks for the "calming words". I will look into it.

M

[losfinch]

Originally Posted by mjmoor2

Ok, I am a newbie here... the above statement just made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

I have been running a K&N for 60K miles.... Is there any way to validate a poor seal? Is there a way to clean up the mess that might have been caused, or am I screwed?

M

A quick look at your turbo's blades should be in order as well. Pull off the intake hose to the turbo, grab a good light and have a look at those blades. If you've got nice clean, straight edges then you are probably getting the filtration that you need. If you see worn, chipped or rounded edges then you've probably not had the air filtration that you should have.

[fxdwgi]

Check your coolant for proper levels of SCA, etc. Run a good oil filter and by all means, keep the oil fresh !