Newbie question i'm sure for the thousandth time

[lance125]

Sorry guys as I am sure this is asked multiple times per day. I have had my 2002 F250 7.3 ext cap 6 ft bed for about 4 months now and am ready to do some minor upgrades. Nothing to costly but the small things I can start with to increase my mpg and maybe hp, but the mpg is more important to start. I am currently getting 17.5 - 18 mpg and just added a K&N air filter so I dont know how much that will help yet. So my question is for you guys, if you were starting from scratch on a budget, what would you do first, second and third to get going. Thanks in advance for any responses and great site by the way.

[Ryan Rønning]

I would lose the new K&N air filter and replace with the DIY intake. LINK: DIY INTAKE ! ! ! ! ("tymar knockoff")

Others will be along with ideas!

[jesilvas]

Originally Posted by lance125

Sorry guys as I am sure this is asked multiple times per day. I have had my 2002 F250 7.3 ext cap 6 ft bed for about 4 months now and am ready to do some minor upgrades. Nothing to costly but the small things I can start with to increase my mpg and maybe hp, but the mpg is more important to start. I am currently getting 17.5 - 18 mpg and just added a K&N air filter so I dont know how much that will help yet. So my question is for you guys, if you were starting from scratch on a budget, what would you do first, second and third to get going. Thanks in advance for any responses and great site by the way.

glad you're here
i was gonna get a K&N cold air intake about how i read they let in too much dust particles which will chip your turbo blades and cause other problems
after MUCH reading, i decided to use a Baldwin PA2818 air filter, a hose clamp, and a 3.5" PVC coupling to replace the stock air box and filter. i haven't really calculate any mileage with it but i can tell it flows WAY better and i think it MIGHT . . . MIGHT . . . have got me 1mpg already. DON'T JUDGE ME GUYS!
anyway, for about 55 bucks or so, you can do that and it's easy
i should have pics in my profile
if not just ask me

[NCHornet]

#1 get rid of that K&N as they have dusted many a PSD, second you need to let the big 7.3 breathe, cheapest way is to do the DIY Intake and change the factory muffler to the Walker BTM, there is no need for a 4" system for a mildly modded truck. For mileage that is the best mods, besides proper air pressure in the tires. I would also get a full set of gauges, the lower you keep the boost the better the mileage will be.

NCH

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

+ 1 more in losing the K&N filter...

i would do gauges first... you want to be able to monitor whats going on even on a stock truck...

second i would do a better transmission cooler.. the stock one is a joke...

third i would do the chip.. a custom tuned chip like the TW...

hope this helps.. let me know if you have any questions or need prices

-Raul

[Stroken7.3]

+1 more for dumping K&N. Defineately get gauges first then look at an exhaust system and cold air intake.

[NCHornet]

I didn't mention anything regarding HP as you said mileage was more important. But for HP gains you need the same mods as I listed above with the addition of a VB for the trans, Raul is 100% correct if you are towing you will want a 6.0 cooler if you see sustained trans temps above 200 degrees, so get gauges first.

NCH

[psd76]

Quick Question about the Walker BTM. I have a 2003 7.3 F350. Everything stock. I have gauges trans. egt and boost. I can get away with just swapping out the stock muffler for the BTM? Eventually I will be doing an intake and most likely dp or TW tuner. The BTM will be able to handle the tuner? Sorry if its a repetitive question. I'm new to the diesel scene. Learning alot from powerstroke.org. Thanks

[dmd]

Yep the stock exhaust and a BTM will really help on the cheap. Just one of this and a
big air filter really helps. If you are not chipped then you can stop with just that.

Now .. if you want lots more power you need to get gauges to see hat is happening

This is the order I did...

Gauges (had gauges 6-years before I moved to the next step)
Big filter intake
Exhaust (Diamond Eye 4-inch from Tony)
6-pos chip from Tony
ATS housing (because the turbo sound like a tea kettle when towing heavy)
ITP over boost eliminator

I tow in Tx, so not many hills.. Trans temp issues are no problem with the stock
cooler.

[NCHornet]

Yes the BTM will easily handle what you are planning to do. Look at my mods and I have zero problems with EGT's. EGT's are controlled by proper air flow and better tunning you have to have both!!