some guidance please!!!

[carolinayankee73]

i am sure there must be atleast one of there posts a day, but here we go. i have a 04 250 2x4 reg cab w/ 39k. i bought it a couple of months ago from some older lady who obviously never drove it. i work at a ford dealership as a tech and have gone over all of the maintenance records which she kept up on. my fp just took a dump so i installed a air dog II system (i have a air leak somewhere i just cant pinpoint it yet. if anyone has some experience please chime in) and got a sct tuner w/ innovative tunes (tow, econ, xs) i know whats coming w/o head studs but i have a plan for when the inevitable happens. i know obviously head studs, but what about fire rings? i know they are big w/ cummins but i havent seen many stroker companies offer them and its like a black hole i hear some good and then some bad, but in total i just dont hear much which scares me. i dont want to just do them and it go south or not do them and then regret later down the road. also a-1 or arp (cost, relaibility)? when i am down there i plan on putting on the sinister egr delete kit. my plans for this truck is lower it 3-front and 5-rear(DJM, oh and if you have nothing nice to say about lowering a truck, keep it to yourself remember people personal preference and at the end of the day im driving my truck), wheels/ tires, but after that im lost so many options, money is def an obsticle so most things will have to be put on one at a time (obv if im going into the motor in going to do it right and do everything at once, well try to) all said and done i am liking to be around the 500-600hp range, that will make me happy. i know i need injectors and turbo down the road but affording it is the tricky part. im sure i forgot a bunch of questions but once the discussion gets rolling i will remember them. feedback is much greatly appreciated!!!!

Thank you,
Phil

[Goose350]

No fire ringing. Arp studs, black onyx gaskets, oil cooler rebuild kit, coolant filter and you egr delete. You will have just over 400hp with that Extreme street tune.

[carolinayankee73]

thanks goose350, looked into the coolant filter kit thanks! and for the black onyx gaskets, are they worth spending the extra money when im going to be doing this under "warranty" and getting stockers free?! thanks again for the feedback!!

[carolinayankee73]

oh and another thing. like i said i am running innovative tunes and when i get on it even just alittle bit it billows out smoke (black) idk if its the combination of the fuel pump and the tuner or if i have another problem w/ the tuner. and would you go w/ a bullet proof oil cooler? thanks guys!!

[yosh30]

Nothing wrong with blowin a little coal.. It's normal

[carolinayankee73]

thanks yosh, yea i just wanst sure if i was overfueling it from the air dog. i didnt move the regulator on the unit, but not sure if i should turn down the pressure a bit. thanks again guys, keep it coming!!!

[Goose350]

Originally Posted by carolinayankee73

thanks goose350, looked into the coolant filter kit thanks! and for the black onyx gaskets, are they worth spending the extra money when im going to be doing this under "warranty" and getting stockers free?! thanks again for the feedback!!

Stock gaskets will be just fine. Make sure you get the heads checked for cracks and deck them to flat.

Originally Posted by carolinayankee73

oh and another thing. like i said i am running innovative tunes and when i get on it even just alittle bit it billows out smoke (black) idk if its the combination of the fuel pump and the tuner or if i have another problem w/ the tuner. and would you go w/ a bullet proof oil cooler? thanks guys!!

With a rebuilt oil cooler and a coolant filter you will be fine. Was your tune written for the Airdog or for the stuck pump?

[carolinayankee73]

good point goose it was tuned for the stock pump. and i will stick w/ the oe gaskets, thanks for the advice. hey and if anyone had the same problem w/ the airdog having an air leak shoot me some advice plz!!!!

[carolinayankee73]

bump for the day!!!!