Diesel Noobie

[nharmswhey]

Hey yall long time reader first time post. Brand new to Diesels, not to ford tho. Have always had good luck. Just bought an 05 crew cab fx4 6.0. Was wondering where to start with the mods performance wise? Also what size tires can i fit on there stock or would it be better to go with a leveling kit? Also are there any mods that i can do myself? Im pretty handy with a tool. I read about alot of mods on here but understand a total of 0.. ANy explanation would be awesome. Thanks for any help.

[blowinsmoke7.3]

First and most important would be to go through the truck and check for any leaks worn out parts etc.
Mod wise the most imortant is gauges! From there i would go with a CAI, 4'' exhasut and some custom tunes from eric or cale.

[blowinsmoke7.3]

Oh and welcome to powerstroke.org!

[nharmswhey]

Well thanks. What is a good brand of exhaust? Also what gauges would i need and how would i got about doing them? OR would it be easier to take it to a place to do that?

[AFBLUE]

Helps everyone out alot in the forum if you put your truck and current mods in your signature so there is no confusion on what we are helping you with. Display your City and state so we an tell wheher you are N S E W is nice too.

Gauges are a must when you start adding power. Tried and true and bang for buck method for power adding is SCT X3 tuner, with Cale's or Eric from Innovative tunes added on.

Exhaust is not quite required right away there are a few things you can do to stock until you decide what approach you are going to take or if $$ is an issue.

Cold Air Intake (CAI) would be the bottom of my list I have plenty of other things to buy first. The stock intake is good for 500hp, and the powercore filter is one of the best rated filter media. You can do things to help it out like Zoodad mod.
zoodad mod
Basically cutting a hole hidden behind the grill to let cold air directly into the intake, but like I said, listing your city/state would clue us in to whether you might have an issue with sucking snow/rain/water in the intake.

With a leveling kit for as cheap as 19.99 on ebay you can fit 35X12.5" on stock rims, clear bumpers and fender wells, with just a little bit of rubbing on the main arm at full lock.

Head studs, and EGR delete further down the road when you start raping your checkbook for more power, but this should start you off in the right
direction.

[AFBLUE]

Originally Posted by nharmswhey

Well thanks. What is a good brand of exhaust? Also what gauges would i need and how would i got about doing them? OR would it be easier to take it to a place to do that?

Diprcol, Issopro, autometer in that order are good gauges, Look at Stealth Automotive and other vendors stores, they have kits where you can buy the gauges and pillar pod all in one. If you can install a car stereo you will be fine, there is nothing cosmic about installing them.

Exhaust Look into MBRP, Silverline, Farmboy Diesel etc, They are all decent, again whatever you are willing to spend. Just make sure its 3.5 downpipe at the turbo, then you can open up to whatever you like after that.

Stay away from EDGE, Banks, Bullydog, Diablo, electronics they have no business being on a 6.0. Big name brands you are paying for just that the name.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

gauges first... you will want boost, pyro, trans temp
next is an exhaust.. a 4" Turbo back kit would be great
next i would get nothing else but a custom tuned SCT x3

if you have any questions or need prices let me know

-Raul