educated advice

[diesel dummy w900]

I recently bought my first psd. Its a '03 6.0 . Since its fully stock I definitely need to wake it up. I've done some homework and I believe I have an idea of the necessities for the job but some educated advice is always welcome. First off im looking at an afe stage 2 air intake. Next im wanting to do a turbo back exhaust swap. Im looking to go with a 5" offload system but im getting mixed messages on weather I can go with a 4" downpipe or some say I have to stay with the factory 3.5". Next issue is chips and tuners. No 2 people can seem to agree on which is the best bang for the buck.and then im also unsure of the necessity of turbo upgrade and waste gates. I am also doing an egr delete(they seem to be problematic for the 6.0) let the schooling begin!

[Hemicbx]

Well, I'll be the first to say it: Get some gauges to figure out where you are first before trying to hop it up. There are a several things to watch out for and several running upgrades made over the years. You probably want to think about addressing these before turning up the power.

Get a Edge Insight or some mechanical gauges to get a look at temps & pressures first. It can save you trouble later.

-Hemicbx

[a2elvis]

1st: Keep the OE air filter setup! Unless you were running high HP then the stock air filter is more than adequate.

2nd: Invest in a good data monitor. Something like the Scangauge- ScanGauge - Trip Computer + Digitial Gauges + ScanTools or the Edge Insight CTS

3rd: Once you have the data monitor see what kind of shape the engine is in (oil temp, ICP pressure, FICM voltage, etc) then you can start doing some upgrades.

On a side note I like the MBRP exhaust systems. They seem to have the best sound and the best fitment.

[Rhys05]

The consensus seems to be to NOT change the air intake, the stock being good to ~500 hp and much better at filtration than aftermarket ones. Don't really know about exhaust, other than it seems to be a personal preference thing. Tuners there is a pretty strong consensus on SCT with custom tunes. Other things to go with (more for reliability than anything else) are: full set of gauges (ScanGauge works great for anything that is output over OBDII, especially the all important EOT vs ECT differential, fuel pressure and EGT needing sensors so separate gauges for those), coolant filter, switch to a CAT EC-1 rated extended life coolant after a coolant system flush using Restore and Restore+, upgraded fuel pressure regulator spring, and religious maintenance using only motorcraft filters. ...that'll get you started anyway! Make sure you check your EOT vs ECT differential before doing too many mods, any higher than 15F difference when fully warmed up running at 65 on a flat road for 5-10 minutes means your oil cooler is clogging up and needs to be replaced.

[Lilpooh]

You'll need to do some more homework.

As already mentioned, a monitor solution first. Most go with either a Edge Insight CS/CTS or ScangaugeII. You will need to find out the health of your motor before you go wasting money on go fast parts, when you could of spent that money on preventing 6.0 issues.

This link will get you started.
Things to consider about owning a 6.0L


After you have the monitor solution, and have fixed any issues that you find, then you can start adding the go fast parts.

No need for an aftermarket CAI, the stock filter will support up to 500hp and will out filter any aftermarket CAI. Allowing dirt/dust into the turbo can and will destroy it.

Exhaust comes down to personal preference and bank account.

With the 6.0, SCT with custom tunes is the proven programmer. Enough said.

The 6.0 don't have a wastegate, it's a VGT (variable geometry turbo).

Here is the coffee table books, read up on the 6.0 and VGT so you'll know what and where parts are located.
http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/articl...icle-06-08.php

[diesel dummy w900]

Thanks for the input. I believe I will invest in some guages and a monitor first, then go from there. On a side note, any recommendations on what oil to use?

[Country Mav]

Since it's all stock, I'll reccommend the same things that were suggested to me. Get the monitoring done, whether it's mechanical guages, scanguage or the Edge CS or CTS. I have the Edge CTS- it is a terrific monitoring system. Check the difference in Engine Coolant Temp and Engine Oil Temp. Check this after the engine is fully warmed up and what was told to me, while going down the road around 60 or so. If the difference in temps is over 10*, Flush the cooling system. There are several threads on doing this. Personally, I'd flush it and then watch it and think about changing the oil cooler. After having mine rupture, I wish I had changed it BEFORE it ruptured. It's much costlier to fix after it ruptures and clogs everything in your cooling system. Then, GET RID OF THE EGR!! That thing is sort of the root of all evil on our engines. I know it seems rediculous to have to do all of this before you do performance mods, but it's necessary. My truck is a beast now, BUT that's after 5 grand of "fixing". As for exhaust, I love my Diamond Eye 5 inch. I used the 4 inch downpipe and didn't lose any power that I could tell... Hope this helps!! Preston

[Lilpooh]

Originally Posted by diesel dummy w900

Thanks for the input. I believe I will invest in some guages and a monitor first, then go from there. On a side note, any recommendations on what oil to use?

Switch to a diesel synthetic 5w40, the 6.0 and it's injectors like it. As far as what brand name oil, that's like talking politics or religion!! LOL, I use Rottella.


It's also wise to stick with motorcraft or racor oil and fuel filters.

[TampaSteve]

1st-Gauges, 2nd-MBRP turbo back cat delete(if legal in your state), 3rd-SCT Tuner with custom tunes, 4th-EGR delete. After that you will see changes and can then decide on the remaining upgrades....Steve

[diesel dummy w900]

Originally Posted by Lilpooh

Switch to a diesel synthetic 5w40, the 6.0 and it's injectors like it. As far as what brand name oil, that's like talking politics or religion!! LOL, I use Rottella.


It's also wise to stick with motorcraft or racor oil and fuel filters.

Lol I might be starting a sticky subject but I was told that rotella was known for causing oil cooler damage. The only reason I say that is because that's what I use in my semi and thought it would make my life easier. Second question... if this truck has been run on dinosaur oil for the last 100,000 miles and I switch to synthetic wont I be inviting oil leaks to develop and tatoo my drive way?