Chip or not to chip

[bangforthebuck]

Hi everyone

I'm a new guy here. First of all I have to say that there are alot of members here with some kick *** rigs! I'm a poor man(x-wife made that so lol) and converting my 03 powerstroke into a monster is only a distant dream.

However my 6 leaker powerstroke has 228 000 km on it. I absalutly love my truck but there are a couple of things that I'd like to improve. Although my truck is presently stock (other then the 33's) it seems that over time the fuel millage is getting worse. I also live in Ontario Canada and sometimes get some cold weather. My truck runs rough in the cold weather ie slow throttle response, hesitation. I think it's called turbo lag?

I've spoken to several diesel owners in my area and I'm told that I shoud get myself a programer. After browsing the net I"ve come across several products that claim they can boost my hp and torque to insane levels. My fear is that with the instalation of one of those programers somethings going to blow.

Is there a certain brand that I should be looking at? Is my truck too far along in millage to be doing this?
A little more hp is always nice lol, but is it worth it for me? Any thoughts would be nice.

Thanks for your time.
P.S keep the shiny side up!

Shayne

[Aussiekeeper]

Personally, I wouldn't touch a 6.0 with any HP mods. Some here have, but I believe these engines are rolling time bombs.................

[bangforthebuck]

Yeah I keep hearing that. I wish my 6 was a 7.3. Oh well I'm stuck with her now. Thanks for the feed back.

[2006PSDSD]

Look into a monitor system first, like the Insight from Edge. Just use this to monitor the ECT and EOT at first to be sure that you oil cooler isn't plugged up. If its good, then proceed with a custom tuner like an SCT, then an exhaust system, preferably a TB system.

[Jesse S]

Personally I love my 6.0 way better than my 2000 7.3. If you are looking for reliability I would do an egr delete and new oil cooler. Also a coolant flush along with a coolant filter and then a good elc is a good idea as well. As long as everything else checks out good while you are in there, at this point you have taken care of the biggest problem points. Next I would add a 4in. turbo back exhaust and an edge insight to monitor. At this point I would feel safe about getting yourself an sct tuner and running a good street tune from a good reputable custom tuner such as idp, gearhead, quicktricks, etc. If money is not a big deal you can always be safe and do gaskets and studs while you are in doing the egr delete. No matter what route you go, you now have a solid platform and a good running 6.0. There are many other guys with way more knowledge than me that can chime in on some of the smaller things I have missed.

[extremusoptio]

I just had to have my HPOP and Fuel Pressure Regulator replaced on my 6.0 and have been running a Bully Dog programmer on it. My mech, and the Ford Service Advisor both told me I shouldn't run a programmer on the 6.0's because of all the problems. I'm seriously thinking about taking them at their word on that because I don't have another two grand to shell out on problems a programmer "could" have caused... For what it's worth.

[2006PSDSD]

Originally Posted by extremusoptio

I just had to have my HPOP and Fuel Pressure Regulator replaced on my 6.0 and have been running a Bully Dog programmer on it. My mech, and the Ford Service Advisor both told me I shouldn't run a programmer on the 6.0's because of all the problems. I'm seriously thinking about taking them at their word on that because I don't have another two grand to shell out on problems a programmer "could" have caused... For what it's worth.

Its very doubtful that a programmer could damage any of those parts.... FWIW

[Red '97]

When your truck runs rough when its cold, theyre designed to do that to prevent engine damage, its best to let a diesel warm up for awhile when its cold.... anyway if you run a mild tune on a 6.0 it probably wont hurt anything, but i drive a 7.3 and dont know as much about them....

[extremusoptio]

Sadly in 2008 and 2009, the FICM, all 8 injectors, Fuel Pump, ICP, were replaced, and I guess the HPOP was just next on the list of expensive parts that had to be replaced on this gem of an engine.

[2006PSDSD]

That's def a rough time man! I see your point now