performance improvements ... what 2 do

[tretpflyr]

Now own a bone stock 2000 F250 7.3 and it runs great. 110K miles and recently got 20 mpg on two 400 mile highway trips. It is however "a bit of a dog" ... a lazy dog when it comes to acceleration. Seems that being a 7.3 this thing would smoke the tires.

QUESTION: What would you suggest I do to improve power, performance, and increase the "fun factor" ?

I am thinking a chip, air intake and undertaking some of the DIY mods you guys recommend.

[Jrz13]

Intake, exhaust, gauges and a chip is a good place to start. Just make sure you have gauges before you get a chip, have to keep an eye on your pyro. The intake is a pretty easy diy project, as for the exhaust you can just cut out the muffler to get some more flow.

[tretpflyr]

thanks. WOW ... you have done a lot to yours. I am looking for a bit more "zip" and for this beast to perform to it's potential. I live in a state that does not do inspections so I could easily open up the exhaust. Already have a guy who can do it.

Worried about "dusting" the motor and some here have said that the aftermarket "K&N" type set-ups can do that, ruining the engine and turbo. Just need to do some more research I guess.

As far as gauges go, what and where would you suggest. I want a chip with a few settings but I do not plan to do a lot of exotic stuff. I have been told that when you give it more air (intake) free up the exhaust, and do a custom tune chip, you get more performance AND better fuel economy. Is that true?

[Jrz13]

Look for a dry filer intake, K&N filters are oil charged and the oil does most of the filtering so if the oil were to dry up thats when you get dusting. There is a DIY intake mod, pretty easy and cheap, I'm sure there is a tutorial on here if you search the forums. For the chip Beans ,PHP and a few others have good tunes, just stay away from flash programmers like Superchips.

[tretpflyr]

thanks for the advice.

I saw the thread on the DIY intake and it looks like a good setup. Wish it could be a "cold air" gig.

I have run K&N on other vehicles without any problems. Doing fine on my motorcycle but I bet this truck motor will suck so much air that the oil based filter would have to be monitored much closer.

[LakiPolitis]

Originally Posted by tretpflyr

thanks for the advice.

I saw the thread on the DIY intake and it looks like a good setup. Wish it could be a "cold air" gig.

I have run K&N on other vehicles without any problems. Doing fine on my motorcycle but I bet this truck motor will suck so much air that the oil based filter would have to be monitored much closer.

The Napa 6637 DIY Intake is much better than K&N or really any other brand. If you want to go for a traditional air intake, look at the AEM Stage 2, but you'll be dropping $300 more than the DIY intake. And the DIY intake has more air flow. The cold air up there is great for your motor when it's running (starting not so much, )

Definitely get your gauges in, and make sure the truck is batting 1000. If not, you're going to amplify the problems when you chip. Guys here will recommend PHP, Beans, Gearhead, and Tony Wildman. That's who I'm using Tony Wildman. He does some good stuff with the trans and does great work on the actual motor. They all pretty much do great work.

[BryceB]

Originally Posted by tretpflyr

thanks for the advice.

I saw the thread on the DIY intake and it looks like a good setup. Wish it could be a "cold air" gig.

I have run K&N on other vehicles without any problems. Doing fine on my motorcycle but I bet this truck motor will suck so much air that the oil based filter would have to be monitored much closer.

If your worried about dusting your motor, check out the Ford AIS intake. Breathes well, looks stock/factory and will filter better than anything out there.

[AgTires4295]

K&N

6637

[tretpflyr]

I take it you have the AIS intake. Is it a sold air intake setup? A lot of folks have said great things about it, that it filters well. Does it give more performance as well?

[BryceB]

Originally Posted by tretpflyr

I take it you have the AIS intake. Is it a sold air intake setup? A lot of folks have said great things about it, that it filters well. Does it give more performance as well?

The word is it flows good enough for 400hp engines.

With 190,000miles on my truck and the only mods being 4" turbo back and the As (stock PMT3 tune) it turned 242hp/504ftlbs at the wheels on the dyno at PHP. Ill be putting it on a dyno Saturday with PHPs tunes.