2002 f-250 7.3 Question

[frye]

Hey guys I'm new to the site. I am looking at buying a 2002 f-250 7.3. I know the 7.3's are good engines. I was just wondering if there were any known problems with the 2002 models as opposed to the other 7.3's. Thanks for any input.

[goats]

I think the 7.3 are the best ones out there (since I have one also). They have far less issues than others. The only down side is that there alittle low on power but a chip can fix that.

[dieselcrawler]

'02 will have the PMR's (powdered metal connecting rods) that have a limit of about 400 HP. So for a daily driver, mild power increase, you should be set... no worries. Huges HP, bigger turbo, etc, and the rods become the weak link. Still wouldn't stop me from buying it, mild upgrades to mine and i'm very happy with it.

[frye]

Is this only in the 2002 models? So chip, intake, and exhaust would be ok?

[big sig]

I think it was from mid 2001 till 2003. They had a break in there where they went back to forged rods but i have PMR's and have a chip, intake, and exhaust. I am going to go with bigger injectors and a turbo on the stock rods, atleast till I build my engine further.

[frye]

what kind of fuel millage do you get? is a 315 like a 35?

[big sig]

Yes a 315 is a 35. I havent checked lately. I had a different setup on in the spring with 35x12.50s and would get about 14 or so without a chip. Running on the interstate I see about 18 and normal driving about 15-16.

[frye]

did the chip, intake and exhaust help your mileage a lot? did the bigger tires kill it? do you have like an economy mode on your chip? sorry for all the questions

[big sig]

I put the intake an exhaust on the truck the day I bought it. The tires did knock it down but I couldnt tell you how much. I need to recalculate my mileage coming back to school. I have 6 positions, I have the burner at the house and can change what tunes are on it. Right now I have a high idle, heavy tow, daily driver, 120hp race, lope idle, and smoke show. Going on a long trip on the interstate 120 gets better mileage if I can keep my foot out of it. Around town driving I run the daily driver. I used to have a 100 hp tune on it but I hardly used it. 120 will shift gears a lot when city driving so thats why I dont run it all the time.

[frye]

is the 18 highway and 15 to 16 all around with the chip set at 120 and daily driver? if you were to do over would you go back with the 4 inch exhaust, does it get annoying driving down the highway? One last thing, when you get a programer does it just come with different settings that you pick from or can you make your own like with a power commander on a bike? what kind do you have? you have a sick truck by the way!