Recent Problems with 7.3L Upgrades

[Andy Strand]

Last weekend I upgraded my 2003 F-250 7.3L with boost and EGT guages, and performance chip.

I have been having some troubles with the turbo (and I think I may have been before the upgrades as well but now it is really noticeable.)

Right now I sometimes have no boost at all, then when turbo kicks in truck goes like crazy. I haven't been running chip much becuase of the suspected problems.

I noticed a drop in mileage in August when I put new set of rubber on and went to 285s, but think now it may be related to my turbo issue possibly.

Installed my chip at the farm about 60 miles away from home, mileage increased from 10 mpg to about 16.5 mpg but something still doesn't seem right.

I get lots of black smoke but no power (turbo seems to surge in and out).

My next plan was to upgrade intake and exhaust, but I need to get my other issues fixed first.

I pull 35 ft 5th wheel and enclosed sled trailers.

Any suggestions would help greatly.

My first time using this forum site (it is great) so if you need more info let me know.

Next messages will be shorter..thanks,

[paulmacjr]

heres a

[strokin_early_99]

Pull the intake and wiggle the turbo shaft. What kind of play up and down? What kind of play in and out? It that tests out to be very little play and it is not rubbing on anything you need to check for soot behind the turbo on the firewall. If none then you need to check for boost leaks at the intercooler boots.

[Andy Strand]

I pulled the intake and checked the turbo...not much play at all. Doesn't appear to have any leakage anywhere else either. Got everything back together and don't seem to have problems with turbo engaging anymore but response is very slow. Seems like turbo is delayed. My temps climb to high before the turbo gets a chance to wind up.

Any suggestions?

[strokin_early_99]

What brand of chip is it?

[Andy Strand]

Custom Chip...bought from cousin who had it in his '03 F350...VDH5 codes match on chip and PCM.

Wish I would have bought his whole truck with chip...he ran 18 mpg towning and mid 20's mpg empty. I said he was off base but he swears by it--checked manually and not computer read out.

I called the local diesel shop near Buffalo MN where he purchased and they no longer exist. I was going to send it off to have someone check tunes and possibly reprogram but if I take time with that I may just get some DP Tunes...

[strokin_early_99]

Is there any markings on it to tell you what brand? TS, bully dog or anything? How about a couple of pics of the chip?

[mnstroker]

where u located im in st.cloud

[Andy Strand]

I'm located in Fargo ND-

No description or markings on the chip---very crude. The switch is a simple three way toggle. Sorry for lack of info...I will get some pics of it but probably won't happen until later in the week.

After brainstorming with a couple buddies we are wondering if the truck is over-fueling in race mode. Lots of black smoke and too much heat with no power. I get hot before my turbo has a chance to fully engage.

Might be a problem with the intake and not enough air. May make a lot of sense becuase if I end up in stop-n-go traffic it feels like it loads up. Once I get out on the road and clear it up seems to be better. I planned on intake and exhaust just haven't had time yet to install.

What do you think? Any suggestions on a filter...I heard the air box on the Ford is a good as you get so just go with a drop in filter and cut a hole in the front end (behind grille) to give the box some more breathing room.

Thanks

[strokin_early_99]

Who ever told you the ford intake is as good as you can get should be kicked in the groin. It is very restrictive. But it filters decent but a drop in filter is hard to get to seal right and can lead to ruining your engine. Just ask alabamafrog about dusting.

The hole you reference is called the zoodad mod and it is worth it to do. It will funnel cold air into the intake and that is a good thing.

Do you have gauges?

The only chip I know of that loads up is the diablo chip. It says diablosport on the chip in silver. I have one in the desk drawer in fact. It would make the truck shudder and shake at WOT. I ran one for about 6 months and could not take it anymore.