New guy trying to decide on first purchases

[kf4zht]

Trying to figure out what to spend money on for my new 99 f250. I have about $500 to spend for now. I know that I need gauges (manual, so no tranny temp) and I am having a stalling/surging problem every now and then with the SES light turning on. I would like to be able to read the code and find out what is causing it. In the future I will be going with an intake, wicked wheel, MBRP exhaust and a TW chip. But that will not be done for a while.

I have found a couple of options:

1. 2 gauge issapro set (~$250) + AE Scantool (~$340)
Pros: Good guages, scantool can be used on other cars I work on. Allows full diagnostics
Cons: More expensive, no power adders

2. Edge Evolution ($480)
Pros: Does gauges, pulls codes, give some basic power
Cons: from what i hear not the best for power. Digital gauges.


Which do yall think, or is there another option? Something I am missing?

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by kf4zht

Trying to figure out what to spend money on for my new 99 f250. I have about $500 to spend for now. I know that I need gauges (manual, so no tranny temp) and I am having a stalling/surging problem every now and then with the SES light turning on. I would like to be able to read the code and find out what is causing it. In the future I will be going with an intake, wicked wheel, MBRP exhaust and a TW chip. But that will not be done for a while.

I have found a couple of options:

1. 2 gauge issapro set (~$250) + AE Scantool (~$340)
Pros: Good guages, scantool can be used on other cars I work on. Allows full diagnostics
Cons: More expensive, no power adders

2. Edge Evolution ($480)
Pros: Does gauges, pulls codes, give some basic power
Cons: from what i hear not the best for power. Digital gauges.


Which do yall think, or is there another option? Something I am missing?

if you want the best bang for your buck...i would DEFINATELY go with you first option......plus you get the custom tunes to really get the most out of your rig....

edge does have its plusses.....BUT edge will not read some codes AE will...so you still will be better off with your first pick overall IMO

[99Smokin73Stroker]

Honestly I would go with option A. So many people buy stuff to get some quick power only to turn around and sell it for super cheap because no one wants really wants it. If you wanted the evo, you could probably take your time and find it online used. It's the same thing only much cheaper. As for gauges, that's a decent price. I got a two-pod pillar with Autometer Phantom II EGT and boost gauges on e-bay for 215 shipped. IMO mechanical gauges are the best. My best advice is take your time!!!! Don't get in a big rush you could save a lot of money with a lot of patience.

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by 99Smokin73Stroker

IMO mechanical gauges are the best.

and yet another debate...LOL..

ill agree that based on looks alone.....i like analog gauges (but thats just a personal looks preferance)....BUT IMO i dont feel digital gauges installed properly are better or worse than analog ones....

[99Smokin73Stroker]

Originally Posted by Marc

and yet another debate...LOL..

ill agree that based on looks alone.....i like analog gauges (but thats just a personal looks preferance)....BUT IMO i dont feel digital gauges installed properly are better or worse than analog ones....

That's true Marc I agre, but with some of the digital gauges they do not change the digital display as quick....say it changes every 1/4 to 1/2 a second or so. My tst remote seemed to change about every 1/3 of a second, plus none of the tst remotes display boost beyond 40lbs, but I was running 55 max so without the analogs I would never have known. I don't know if some of the other digital displays with other products are like that though. Maybe I'm just picky!!

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

i agree with both of them... go with plan A

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by 99Smokin73Stroker

That's true Marc I agre, but with some of the digital gauges they do not change the digital display as quick....say it changes every 1/4 to 1/2 a second or so. My tst remote seemed to change about every 1/3 of a second, plus none of the tst remotes display boost beyond 40lbs, but I was running 55 max so without the analogs I would never have known. I don't know if some of the other digital displays with other products are like that though. Maybe I'm just picky!!

1st of all..its tough to compare a cummins to a PSD that wont build the same boost...

and secondly....your right about responce...but it seems that most of the popular digital displays for the PSD are pretty responcive...ive personally seen the commander and livewire respond six to ten timess (guessing) per second...

[planeoldguy]

I'd get the guages, my 109.00 scantool from Pep Boys pulls the codes up just fine on all of the vehicles I've used it on.

[alabamafrog]

Originally Posted by planeoldguy

I'd get the guages, my 109.00 scantool from Pep Boys pulls the codes up just fine on all of the vehicles I've used it on.

Have you used it on the 7.3 yet? I have tried several OBDII tools from auto parts stores on my truck and they showed no codes when I knew there were codes in there. I now keep a predator programmer for reading codes and live monitoring sensors as well as trend recording and troubleshooting.


It should cost you around $800 to really get a stock 7.3 happy. Here is my personal list if I ever do another automatic truck.
First is make truck happy
1. Gauges $300
2. DIY intake $40 or less
3. Trucool 40k tranny cooler (for automatics) $120
4. 4” or 5” Open exhaust $300 or less, straight pipe for $80 or less
5. In tank and prepump filter and fpr fuel system mods $30
6. CCV mod ~$5

Second make driver happy
1. Tony Wildman flip chip around $300
2. Map sensor fooler (if needed) $1
3. Front end lift level (I built my own)
4. Rear work/backup lights $20

[D-man]

Originally Posted by kf4zht

Trying to figure out what to spend money on for my new 99 f250. I have about $500 to spend for now. I know that I need gauges (manual, so no tranny temp) and I am having a stalling/surging problem every now and then with the SES light turning on. I would like to be able to read the code and find out what is causing it. In the future I will be going with an intake, wicked wheel, MBRP exhaust and a TW chip. But that will not be done for a while.

I have found a couple of options:

1. 2 gauge issapro set (~$250) + AE Scantool (~$340)
Pros: Good guages, scantool can be used on other cars I work on. Allows full diagnostics
Cons: More expensive, no power adders

2. Edge Evolution ($480)
Pros: Does gauges, pulls codes, give some basic power
Cons: from what i hear not the best for power. Digital gauges.


Which do yall think, or is there another option? Something I am missing?

I am guessing that you just bought the truck. If so.....
If you are on a limited budget, and I assume you are because 500 isn't much when it comes to modding a 7.3, and your vehicle is 9 years old, you better save that 500 for things like, ball joints, up-pipes, oil and fuel leaks, brakes, glow plugs and relays etc. etc....
Unless you know all of these things are good, you better save it for those repairs because they will eventually need it and they are all expensive repairs. Just a warning.