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4K views 18 replies 9 participants last post by  ECR250F 
#1 ·
Anyone out there got any performance mod ideas for my 97 that they have tried or have heard of.
 
#2 ·
Especially if your truck has an automatic transmission, I would look into that Edge Evolution. One of the problems that Fords have had throughout the years, with certain powerstrokes, is transmission problems.

Usually the problem is that Ford decreases fluid pressure in the Transmission during shift points. Well, during shift points is when you want that fluid pressure to stay steady, not drop in pressure.

Anyways, the Evolution not only gives you power, but its one of the few programmers that I know of that raises the tranny fluid pressure during shift points.

Thats what I would recommend.

Lem
 
#5 ·
Hmmm, that is possible. Maybe its just on the newer 7.3L's thats controlled by the computer? You could be right about that.

I know before Edge was even in biz, that my dad had a guy make the tranny have more pressure manually. I think they had to drill new holes and redirect fluid and such. Anyways, once he increased the fluid pressure, he stopped having to buy new transmission's every 20K miles.

For the 97, as far as chips go, edge, superchips, or the bullydog 4bank chip should work out nicely to give you more power and hopefully some better fuel economy.

After that, you might want to look into a new air intake and maybe a little bigger exhaust.

I've tried a lot of these things, just not on the early PSD's. But I hear they work well.
 
#6 ·
I'm pretty sure that you have to change pressure inside the tranny.....I think bully dog has a kit.....plate, springs, balls and valves........gonna check into it.....could you help me find out what the best chip is for my truck.......should i post it on one of the general forums.? thanks
 
#9 ·
I use to have a 96 7.3 and i put a 3.5in down pipe on it and cut the muffler off and replaced it with a stright pipe and it sounded good and i allso had a k&n intake on it. I like the sound of the 7.3 better then the 6.0 it sounds more beastly. Good luck and that is one hell of a motor.
 
#11 ·
One important item regarding the Edge or any chip/programmer, if you run it on of the higher settings GET A PYROMETER! The reprogramming will result in higher exhaust gas tempertures and if you go much over 1,300 F or for very long, you WILL fry your engine. I have an Edge for my 96 and until I get the exhaust & a pyrometer put in, I keep it on towing only.

Replacing the downpipe will definitely help keep those temps down and will probably be one of the better mods you can do to the truck. Of course, opening up the whole exhaust system won't hurt. A cool air intake is a nice addition as well.

If you or your significant other can do the mods yourself, it shouldn't be more than a grand - 1,500 for the tuner, exhaust & intake. If you have money to burn, you can go nuts with things like new injectors, propane injection, an aftercooler, etc.
 
#12 ·
i didnt notice no power diff. I didnt go with big pipe all a way out becuase i was still in high school when i had that truck and didnt have the money$$$ could barly afford the truck and the fuel to put in it.
 
#13 ·
I have a 97 SC LWB 4X4 that I installed the Banks Stinger Plus kit(3 1/2" down pipe and 4 inch chrome tip-uses stock muffler, quick turbo housing, ottamon trans control, computer reprogrammer and 3 gage set pyro/egt/boost).
I wanted towing power not a rocket ship. It pulled a 10k camper very well but it has its draw backs. When unloaded and you hit 40 mph and the E40D goes into 4th gear the thing shakes real bad on small grades until the trans down shifts at 33mph -YES I MEAN IT STAYS IN 4TH UNTIL 33MPH-If you ever drove a stick and leave it in high gear and slow down but forget to shift that is what the thing feels like. I hat that! On the plus side it rolls the smoke at 10+ PSI boost or above (if you are into this).
Just remember what you want to do with the truck... race or tow!!!
 
#14 ·
lakeydj said:
I'm pretty sure that you have to change pressure inside the tranny.....I think bully dog has a kit.....plate, springs, balls and valves........gonna check into it.....could you help me find out what the best chip is for my truck.......should i post it on one of the general forums.? thanks
Transgo makes a variety of shift kits for the 4r100 and e4od trannys, the kits will raise pressure internally via accumalotor springs and by adding a plate that redirects fluid and drilling holes in the pump to allow for a better flow.

EPC can be raised or lowere via the programing on the pcm. It is better for the tranny to adjust the pressure internally, it can be done safely with a chip as well depending on the other mods done to the tranny. For a 4r100 tranny the best "easiest" upgrade would be a BTS valvebody.

The Edge Evolution has many, many hours of testing done on the calibrations before it was ever available. It underwent a major change in the way it was calibrated about 3 years ago or so, when Bill Cohron went to work for them. Bill is an ASE cert mechanic and an absolute wizard at programing for the powerstrokes. Topnotch all the way:thumb:
 
G
#15 ·
lakeydj said:
Hey lem,


Correct me if i'm wrong......but isn't the pressure in my 97's tranny controlled internally?
It can be raised via programming or by mechanical mods internally


You guys looking for power get ahold of totaldieselperformance.com. He does all my tuning and IMO is the best out there for 94-97 psd's. Edge is nothing compared to a good flip chip.

Luke
 
#16 ·
^^ what he said ^^

I went through 7 transmissions in 4 years (my first PSD). The last one went in and I added a Banks TransCommand to the wiring. It raised line pressure and changed the torque converter lockup schedule a bit. That one trans lasted 7.5 years. It felt awesome... shifted hard & quick.

I learned from that experience, though. Now I have a truck with a stick...
 
#17 ·
I know that many of the new trucks depend largely on a chip or programmer to boost their numbers, what can be done to the 94-97 PSD? I know that Bully Dog makes a 4 or 6 Bank chip, Edge makes something, but can they be upgraded enough mechanically to run with the newer trucks while still keeping the older style engine and body? Will adding "Un-Digital" Parts (Injectors, Exhaust, Intake, Intercooler, Chip, Fuel Pump/ System, Nitrous, Water/ Meth Injection, Propane Injection, Heads, Dual Disc Clutch (Manual), Head Studs, Larger Turbo, and a Spaceship like dashboard full of Guages) give the original powerstroke enough power to hang? Say somebody put all of this work into a 7.3, would it be worth it (Keep up with a newer 7.3)? Has anybody seen one before and if so, how did it match up against a newer truck? All I want to know is can or has it been done.
 
G
#18 ·
ECR250F said:
I know that many of the new trucks depend largely on a chip or programmer to boost their numbers, what can be done to the 94-97 PSD? I know that Bully Dog makes a 4 or 6 Bank chip, Edge makes something, but can they be upgraded enough mechanically to run with the newer trucks while still keeping the older style engine and body? Will adding "Un-Digital" Parts (Injectors, Exhaust, Intake, Intercooler, Chip, Fuel Pump/ System, Nitrous, Water/ Meth Injection, Propane Injection, Heads, Dual Disc Clutch (Manual), Head Studs, Larger Turbo, and a Spaceship like dashboard full of Guages) give the original powerstroke enough power to hang? Say somebody put all of this work into a 7.3, would it be worth it (Keep up with a newer 7.3)? Has anybody seen one before and if so, how did it match up against a newer truck? All I want to know is can or has it been done.
yes they can be upgraded enough to hang with anything on the road. But you still will need a good custom chip to take full advantage of all the mod, mainly to control the inj since there are so many different nozzle sizes avail. Basically when you get to the "non digital" mods they are basically the same for older psd's and newer psd's. I could pull my inj, turbo and intercooler off and slap it on a newer psd with no problems.

luke
 
#19 ·
lukecline said:
yes they can be upgraded enough to hang with anything on the road. But you still will need a good custom chip to take full advantage of all the mod, mainly to control the inj since there are so many different nozzle sizes avail. Basically when you get to the "non digital" mods they are basically the same for older psd's and newer psd's. I could pull my inj, turbo and intercooler off and slap it on a newer psd with no problems.

luke
E-NUFF-SAID DON'T ANYONE TRY TO TALK ME OUT OF IT
I'm setting out to build such a truck, it could take a while, but she's gonnna be the sweetest rig around without a doubt. Thanks for the quick response!
 
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