Tuner, Exhaust, Air Intake? Rate them in priority. - Diesel Forum

kimwoodson · 10-14-2009, 10:06 PM

Just ordered a 2010 F-250 6.4, 3.55, 4x4 CC SWB King Ranch. I am looking for Long life, MPG, some more power, and a quite ride. Most of my driving is 2 lane hwy with small hills and a lot of interstate. I think I am going with the Spartan 275 Tune. I have been around the industrial diesel many yrs. Just not looking to increase the sound level in the cab anymore than i have to.

The question is:

On a scale of 1 - 10 how much difference will which larger air intake make?

On a scale of 1 - 10 how much difference will 4" or 5" pipes make or should I keep the stock pipes?

Great Website. I am learning a lot about the super duties here.

Stymie · 10-14-2009, 11:00 PM

if you get a tuner, and run larger than a 210 tune, the intake is required. it will suck the filter minder in and tell you the filter is plugged. the exhaust isnt required, but helps alot. with a muffler, the in cab noise is kept very well in check.

kimwoodson · 10-15-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stymie

if you get a tuner, and run larger than a 210 tune, the intake is required. it will suck the filter minder in and tell you the filter is plugged. the exhaust isnt required, but helps alot. with a muffler, the in cab noise is kept very well in check.

How much difference will i get between the 4" and the 5" exhaust?

Thanks

sdcarguy · 10-15-2009, 10:10 AM

I have the 5 inch magnaflow and its really quite in the cab. Mostly I hear the intake...

inino · 10-15-2009, 03:33 PM

All three kinda go hand and hand. If you are getting the 275, go with a 5" exhaust, any brand downpipe or turbo back with a muffler. You wont hear very much with a muffler and the windows up. If you are going to spring 2 grand+ for the programmer and exhaust, might as well throw 3 hundred more for the intake.

smotrs · 10-15-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimwoodson

How much difference will i get between the 4" and the 5" exhaust?

Thanks

Performance wise, no difference. You will get a slightly deeper sound from the 5" over the 4".

**DSTRBD** · 10-16-2009, 01:31 PM

Start with the tuner, then the exhaust, then the intake. A 4" exhaust is all you really need, but the 5" does sound pretty mean. I run the 4" straight piped Flo-Pro kit on my truck and it is plenty aggressive for me. Let me know if I can help with anything.

**DSTRBD** · 10-19-2009, 12:21 PM

Well, if you get the one of the big three (Spartan, SCT, Edge Race) you can get acquainted with it and learn how it works first and then add the exhaust.

09 Oxford 4 door · 10-19-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stymie

if you get a tuner, and run larger than a 210 tune, the intake is required. it will suck the filter minder in and tell you the filter is plugged. the exhaust isnt required, but helps alot. with a muffler, the in cab noise is kept very well in check.

HUH thats funny i have the 250 tune on mine and have never seen the filter blocked light and im always on my truck. I have flo pro 5" straght pipe on my truck and the cab noise is not loud at all.

**DSTRBD** · 10-21-2009, 11:00 AM

Though the intake is not required, its highly recommended. The filter minder being sucked down is an indication that more air is needed than what the stock system can provide.

senix · 10-21-2009, 11:46 AM

I did the reverse. got the intake and then the programmer. Did it in this fashion as many people have trouble with the intakes.

Secondly I wanted to retain my DPF for now.

71stang99 · 10-24-2009, 04:14 PM

What is the best intake? One can read all of the ads so when the dust settles which one is?

Matt0987 · 10-24-2009, 05:52 PM

I believe that if you get the exhaust first you will free up the breathing of the engine. Lower egts. And make the tuner perform better when you get around to it. If you install the tuner first it will be limited by the back pressure from the stock exhaust.

When I was doing mine, see my sig for what I have done, I read from the manufacturer that there was a horse power range recomendation for the 4" and 5" exhaust. Based on their, MBRP, recommendation I went with the 4" exhaust. I never plan on having 450 hp or more generated by my engine.

Their system also has a nice sound to it. Stainless, of course.

They also have, and I do not recall if they did when I got mine, a nice "Laker" type set up where the system splits into two and comes out in front of the rear tires.

But I would, and did, go with the exhaust, then the tuner.

If you read the forums regarding the air intake on this site you will find recommendations to save your money unless you are looking to just dress up the looks of things under your hood. For in depth arguments for this recommendation I would suggest that you search for those forums.

Matt0987 · 10-24-2009, 06:17 PM

Oh yes. I forgot.

71stang99 · 10-24-2009, 09:44 PM

Its good to know what products work as a CAI did wonders on my supercharged 03 Cobra. This truck with the turbo sure is a different animal, I would have thought decent gains just with the CAI. I am not looking for max power just some improvements without getting crazy with hi power tunes as I wish to tow. Same thing goes with the exhaust, a midpipe and catback was worth the money.