questions from a NEWBIE

[markiebud]

I bought a 2000 Powerstroke 4x4 CC with Automatic and 230,000 miles and the truck had never been touched in any way!! Well a week with me and I have gone mad!! I have put a 3 inch level kit, 20 inch Helios with 35 tires, DIY Intake, Straight exhaust and the biggest mod I did was tonight and that is the TS Performance chip with Stock, HI, 50, 80, 100, 140 setting and all I can Say is OMG!! but this is where the questions come to play!

I put the truck on the 100 setting and I looked back when i left the drive way and its the first time I have seen smoke and the power was unreal, I thought I was in my vette that was in the garage but when I got to the stop sign I decided to let it run threw the gears and I am a big drag racer and could swear the valves were on the verge of floating so is this a concern with these motors? I know now for a doubt why people go through transmissions so I better start saving, after that I put the truck on the 80 setting and I am sure thats where I will leave it. Especially until my gauges come in. I have never even heard it suck air real hard or the Turbo that much until this chip and its unbelievable and I cant even start to describe how much more this truck has improved and to smoke 35 inch tires on the 80 setting in second gear is amazing... so is there a fear of valves floating?? I didnt think they would let the RPMS go that high with the chip thats what is concerning me?
Thanks

[Dietoremain]

Dont worry bout the engine.. the 7.3 is solid. but get a built tranny ASAP.

[markiebud]

Thats what I here but it really does concern me, I have never heard it go that high in the RPM range and i really feel like it was on the verge of floating the valves but maybe because I am just not really use to the truck and the Diesel aspect but I did drive one for 7 years when I was a MEDIC and I guess I can tell on myself now because I tried everything in the world to Blow one up and I never could!! LOL, and I even would do Neutral Slams and hold it in Low Gear floored forever! Well I have done alot of growing up since then but it was FUN!!

[NCHornet]

No valves floating are not a issue with the 7.3, and the 7.3 is a great engine, but they fail just like everything else so don't buy into "they are bullet proof" because I can put you in touch with lots of people who will tell you they aren't and have the CC statement to prove it. I don't see gauges in your mods, running tunes without gauges isn't smart!! So get gauges now!!!!! I would also support the auto trans with a tuned valvebody. You need to do the supporting mods before you add more ponies!!! Adding 100HP to a powertrain that wasn't designed for it is going to cause failure eventually, I don't care who built it!!
So slow down and do this the right way, the first time!!

NCH

[markiebud]

I totally agree and understand, I am going to start saving for the the tranny for sure! I have gauges on the way and I didnt leave it on this setting more then a 1 mile but I was just shocked that there was that much power just sitting there hiding. I am used to Gasoline stuff and I never had any idea that just a chip would do so much. I did the exhaust and seen no improvement, I then did the DIY airfilter and I still seen little to no improvement and I have to admit I just assumed that was going to be the case with the Chip but I was for sure dead wrong!! I just didnt think there was that kind of extra power just sitting there, I think I am going to leave it on the 80 setting and check fuel mileage and see where I am at. This truck was a DOG on the interstate and this morning all the lugging and lack of power was gone, I felt like I was driving a completely different truck then I had bought. I know they are not bullet-proof because that statement will get you into big trouble!! Plus I see alot of people who say in their Sigs and when they are selling the trucks that the motor was rebuilt at 100-150,000 so that shows me that they are far from bullet proof. I just hope mine stays together and continues to run as good as it is right now, I am not the hot rodding type when it comes to my trucks but the extra power is great for interstate and all the lugging gone..

[silverF250]

Your also going to need to do a Wicked Wheel or your going to have extreme turbo surge under load.

[markiebud]

Yeah this truck is starting to be like my Wife!! I can already see that it never stops does it?? Once you think this is all I need then there is something else lurking around the corner!! LOL

[silverF250]

Originally Posted by markiebud

Yeah this truck is starting to be like my Wife!! I can already see that it never stops does it?? Once you think this is all I need then there is something else lurking around the corner!! LOL

Yeah but it doesn't talk back.

[markiebud]

Isnt that the damn truth!! I do feel like once you get the tranny done they are pretty much bullet proof as long as you take care of them from that point forward. I need to spend a little money in some areas and I feel like I will do front u-joints and a few other little things thats just maintenance. I have a friend who says he can build the tranny and make it bullet proof for 2000 and thats him pulling it and relacing it so it looks like I will be saving. I am going to buy a valve body and torque convertor next month and just start widdling down the cost and then take it to him and let him go from there. I guess I should have bought one with a stick...... but these slush boxes are great for talking on the phone and eating a burger...

[silverF250]

If your going to pickup your own trans parts check vendors and see about a rebuild kit or check racerxautomotive.com