Question about mods......

[mxfever090]

This is my first post and I will probably get hammered for asking but……..I recently bought an 03 250 7.3. I work at an RV shop and have been saving 5” tube to make my own exhaust for some time now and my air filter for the DIY intake will be here today.

Question is – can I install the air filter and exhaust without a programmer and not hurt the engine? I won’t have money for a programmer for a couple of months. I know it won’t be as efficient as it could be I’m just trying to get some more fuel economy and most importantly better sound without hurting anything.

[Tony V]

Yes you can and its a great idea Those 2 mods are very worth it.

[Tony V]

if you have any more ?'s ask away

[ridiculously_necessary]

Originally Posted by Tony V

Yes you can and its a great idea Those 2 mods are very worth it.

x2. and it looks like youve doen some reading. you said 'programmer' did you read up on the difference between a programmer (canned tunes) and custom tunes by chance? its a 7.3 thing...

[mxfever090]

I've done enough reading to make me want to pluck my eyes out with a spoon! I do know the difference between canned tunes and custom tunes. It's just trying to decide which custom tune to go with. Everyone has an opinion about them. All the locals refer to everything (canned and custom) as "programmers". Sorry my bad. Thanks for the info! I already started welding the tube together so we'll be makin noise by the end of the weekend.

[Tony V]

My opinion with a chip would be Beans performance.

[03_Turbo7.3]

Do it up..i ran the same forever cause i was too lazy to order a chip lol

Like he said..questions, why else would we all be here? ask away!

[ProOnThaSnow]

Did my DIY intake yesterday before heading to ND - I didn't notice a whole lot different in MPG's, but I still need to order an exhaust for the truck. It probably didn't help I was doing 80mph and had a slight headwind both ways... also I've got over 1,000 lbs of tooling in the bed of my truck. I'm averaging right about 15mpg.

I ran seafoam in the tank this morning with the fillup - didn't notice any improvements in mpg either. I just set the cruise and go, and a lot of it is up and down hill to and from Dickinson. I may start running 2 stroke oil, to help with lubricity, and need to get Synthetic in all the gear boxes. I've got a 6spd, so I don't know if that is having any effect on it, either.

I think its just time for a 4" and a DP Tuner...

[NCHornet]

First of all, 15mpg doing 80mph is nothing to sneeze at. As for doing the exhaust mods prior to having a programmer or chip that is exactly what you should be doing. I didn't see if you did the intake as well. The exhaust won't truly benefit until you have a better flowing intake. You don't need a 5" system either, but it won't hurt. The factory restriction isn't in the size of the plumbing it is where they necked it down to 2.5" to use a generic muffler. You remove the muffler and replace it with a straight shot 3.5" muffler like the Walker BTM or straight pipe it and you will see a difference. My EGT's dropped between 100-150 degrees with the BTM/ Ford AIS combo. You should also add gauges before you add any tunes. For the record, a programmer doesn't mean canned tunes!!! I have a SCT programmer loaded with DP's tunes. A chip wasn't something I wanted, I seldom change tunes and I wanted a code reader. Plus I have seen chips cause to many problems down the road when they come loose. So I went with the SCT, now I have the AE software and seldom use it. I may switch to a chip after I have Jody do some live tuning, I really want his drive through tune. Feel free to PM me with any ? you may have.

[NCHornet]

One more thing. I wouldn't be using anything in the fuel unless it is made for diesels. The two stroke and ATF is something we use to do to the OBS trucks and it works very well. The injectors are the SD are totally different and I sure don't recommend it. I know many people do, but I have seen to many injectors bottoming up after using ATF and 2 stroke in the fuel.