Just getting started... any words of advise?

[bjweaver]

ok, so Im new to all this great diesel stuff. Just spent the last 3 hours reading all of your post and just now I dont know where to start. So I have 500 questions so any that you can answer will be great. First of all I have a 2000 f-250 four door, 265 cooper sst tires, a superchips programmer and some pretty bolt ons. It look sexy but thats about it. Now all the Q's: I need better mpg's. 50/50 in town on highway only getting 13-14 now. is that normal and will a turbo back exhust system and your napa 6637 air filter mod help that much? what could I expect to see? also concidering something other then the superchips programer. I was looking at a bullydog but noticed nobody else used them. Are they good or are there better for the money? Finally I was thinking about bigger tires. I dont think I can afford to lift it right now but I did see the leveling kits that dont seem that bad. Are they any good and will they work for running 295 or 315 tires? Finally any "best for the money mods" you guy have that will help with my cause. Thanks a lot, any will would be great.

[PowerstrokeConverters]

More air in, and more air out, do both and your7.3 will thank you.

S&B air intake system is of high quality and one of the cheapest ones out there, I was reluctant but after buying one I was surprised how good it worked and looked, very well put together.

Then do exhaust, 4'' from turbo to the back using a high quality muffler, magnaflow etc...

Your superchips is fine, I used it before and it works great.

When you have more money to spare then you can invest on a DP tuner on the fly system.

I assume you have a 4x2 like I do, the leveling kit will help with the look, you might have to get it aligned just to make sure it's going straight.

Bigger tires will help with the MPG some, it will make your gear ratio longer and will lower your RPM's.

Gauges are a must, EGT,tranny temp and boost.

maintain you tranny well.

Fresh oil will help, and run it hard once in a while, the 7.3 likes it.

Have fun!!!!

Adrian

[shocker444]

In my opinion, save until you can do it all right. For a tuner, search DP tuner and see what all you find. For the intake, the 6637 mod is cheap and easy and works well. Check into a 4" system they can be had for $300 ish I believe. Skyjacker makes great add a leafs for the front and rear of your truck and also includes the new track bar bracket. We had them on our rig. I think 305/70s are the biggest you want to go on stock wheels, and even they wrap a bit. 285/75s fit good. Fuel mileage all comes down to how you use it, the more modded ours got, the worse it got because it ran/sounded so good it was a shame not to use it!!! But in all reality if you have the self control to keep out of it, it should be worth a few mpg. Oh, and before you mod it out anymore get some gauges!!! And if you have an auto, get a Tru-Cool from Bob at Dieselsite or a 6.0L trans cooler before everything else I mentioned above!!!

[ckanderson]

to chip in, I ordered my exhaust from Performance truck products.

system was 250 SHIPPED, and i got it the next day. fits great, full 4 inch with a straight through muffler. i couldent have asked for more and the owner is great to deal with as well. No need to spend any extra money for a big name brand, they all do the exact same thing.

Your guys shipping is incredible

[boomboom]

GET RID OF IT.. The more money you spend the funner it is to drive. YOU'll GO BROKE !! Lots of good ideas floating around here. have fun !!!

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by bjweaver

I need better mpg's. 50/50 in town on highway only getting 13-14 now. is that normal ...

Normal for most folks unless you purposely slow down to achieve better MPG.

...and will a turbo back exhust system and your napa 6637 air filter mod help that much?

They won't help MPG enough to measure. But your engine will sound better, and you'll have less danger of too much exhaust gas temp (EGT) when towing with a towing tune.

... also concidering something other then the superchips programer.

If you don't have gauges yet, then set the SuperChips back to the stock tune and put it away until after you have installed gauges - at least a pyrometer (EGT gauge).

I was looking at a bullydog but noticed nobody else used them. Are they good or are there better for the money?

They are equivalent to the SuperChips and Edge Products tunes. Okay, but nothing to write home about. After you have gauges, then look into DP-Tuner, Tony Wildman, PowerHungryPerformance, or BTS tunes.

Finally I was thinking about bigger tires. I dont think I can afford to lift it right now but I did see the leveling kits that dont seem that bad. Are they any good and will they work for running 295 or 315 tires?

Each size up will cost you about one-half to one MPG. So 285/75s about 1 MPG. 295/75s about 1.5 MPG. 305/70s about 2 MPG, and 315/75s over 2 MPG.

285s will fit a lot of stock trucks with no rubbing. And even though the tire makers say you need 7.5" wide or wider rims, they look good on your stock 7" wide rims. 295s will probably not need more than a front-end leveling kit, but the stock rims are obviously too narrow for those tires. But 315s are equivalent to the old 35" flotation tires, and they'll probably require a lift as well as new rims.

Finally any "best for the money mods" you guy have that will help with my cause.

A 4" turbo back performance exhaust system is going to cost you at least $250 or so, plus installation. You can get almost the same benefit by simply replacing the stock muffler with a Walker BigTruckMuffler (BTM) #21470 for less than $100 for the parts from
Dynomax Performance 21470 - Walker RV Mufflers - SummitRacing.com

Notice they call it a Dynomax RV muffler, but it's really a Walker BTM. And you'll also need two 3.5" muffler clamps. With me furnishing the muffler and the two clamps, my Midas Man charged me $35 to install the BTM on my truck. But that was a few years ago, so maybe count on $50 now - unless you live downtown BigCity.

You can also buy it from NAPA or other chain stores under part number 21470.

[cman962]

After reading the Great posts in here FAQ section too.
Go to powerstrokehelp.com and watch his videos.
He covers every maintenance question etc you can think of then some.

[RIStroker2000]

I second the BTM, and the nappa filter.. its a cheap start.. and youll like what it does and sounds like

[moooboy]

Originally Posted by RIStroker2000

I second the BTM, and the nappa filter.. its a cheap start.. and youll like what it does and sounds like

how much does the muffler its self and then the air filter mod increase engine noise on a 2002? I like my quiet truck. My 95 has all those mods and is too loud for my tastes. My neighbor has a stock 99 and everytime i drive by his house he comments on how quiet my 02 is.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by moooboy

how much does the muffler its self and then the air filter mod increase engine noise on a 2002?

The Walker BTM (a.k.a. Dynomax RV muffler) will not alter what you hear from the driver's seat enough to notice. It will sound more of a pleasant-sounding rumble to those on the sidewalk as you drive past.

But the DIY NAPA open air filter mod will add considerable NVH that you'll hear from the driver's seat. If you like your quite rig, then you want the Ford Severe Duty Air Induction system (AIS), not the Tymar or Tymar clone or DIY NAPA air filter mod.
Ford AIS from Your Premiere Source for Ford Truck Parts and Accessories

[RIStroker2000]

The 'filter' increases turbo noise expecially taking off getting a littl RPMs... noticable to people who know turbos and PSD's.. they might look if your close.. The walker BTM muffler.. adds an in cab 'droaning' not too loud but noticable over stock.. If your right window is down you hear a little more of a 'exhaust sound' but my opinion its not loud.. but.. going from stock it is a a little louder.. but my opinion its nothign to worry about.... My truck is a work truck.. the only thing ive herd ffrom my clients is.. "it sounds different, and you can hear the turbo pulling up my driveway, its not to loud though.. what did you do?".... PM me for more explanation if you want

[johnthepracticalbuilder]

My suggestion to is to upgrade your torque converter . It's a lot cheaper now then later . If your gonna build a high output high motor , you may want to go with a whole new tranny out the gate . Then perhaps a tuner to fit your needs , then a turbo upgrade . You'll find that this web site is very informative , and it's got my butocks out of few jams.
Good luck
John

[PowerstrokeConverters]

Let me take the opportunity here..

yes, the tq converter is something the majority overlooks and can be very expensive after it blows to pieces (the stock one).....I mean really a single disc w/o the billet cover is not adequate for what our trucks was built to do, Ford really could have used at least a billet cover and why not a triple disc?? the buying power they have, lots of companies could supply them w/ a inexpensive triple w/ the billet cover.

I agree that upgrading to a better converter will help tremendously in all areas, towing and racing.

For around $500 bucks you can find a decent billet triple nowadays.

Have fun!!!

(I know I am...hehe)

[moooboy]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

The Walker BTM (a.k.a. Dynomax RV muffler) will not alter what you hear from the driver's seat enough to notice. It will sound more of a pleasant-sounding rumble to those on the sidewalk as you drive past.

But the DIY NAPA open air filter mod will add considerable NVH that you'll hear from the driver's seat. If you like your quite rig, then you want the Ford Severe Duty Air Induction system (AIS), not the Tymar or Tymar clone or DIY NAPA air filter mod.
Ford AIS from Your Premiere Source for Ford Truck Parts and Accessories

thanks
whats NVH???

also does the severe duty kit flow as much as the napa mod?
i have the napa mod on my 95 and its kinda loud
thanks

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by moooboy

whats NVH???

Noise, vibration and harshness.

The difference between cheap economy cars and expensive luxury cars is usually a difference in NVH.

also does the severe duty kit flow as much as the napa mod?

I don't know, but the AIS flows all you'll ever need unless you spend over $10,000 on engine mods to result in over 400 reliable horses. And the typical open air filter from NAPA does not filter nearly as good as the AIS. So don't even consider the cheaper filters from NAPA. Go for the exact filter specified by Tymar, which is not cheap.