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what do I buy for more performance?

3K views 21 replies 14 participants last post by  444turbodiesel 
#1 ·
I have a $1500 budget, however I do need more pulling power for my 2000 F-350, I pull a 4 car hauler... and just need a bit more "kick" my pulling truck is a 175K mile'd automatic 7.3L bone stock.......
 
#2 ·
i would do exhaust, intake, guages and a very mild (40hp) chip
any more than that and that stock trans is going to go bye bye
robert
 
#5 ·
i know on my brothers 02 with a hot chip, exhaust and intake it craped out a 42k miles, so that is why i would stick with a small chip, a 4car hauler isn't light lol
robert
 
#6 ·
Transmissions aren't very good on the 7.3s, I went through a couple when my truck was stock.

-dan
 
#10 ·
kinda wish i would've purchased one with a manual transmission....




however i spoke with GAW Racing in Miami, Fl (i go down there a lot) and for $1475 i can get a 3 program chip, turbo back exhaust w/ 5" chrome tip, intake, transmission shift kit, new impeller wheel on my turbo... all of this installed

I think that's a good deal
 
#11 ·
You don't have gauges in that list and they are the number one thing you need when adding power. You also need at least a valve body to help the trans but as the story goes, add power and the trans wont like it.

Personally, if I were in your position I would not run a chip but instead upgrade the exhaust, intake, a wicked wheel, valve body and add gauges. You just might find that will be all you need. And it will be a lot easier on the trans in the long run. One thing you can count on is replacing that trans with that many miles regardless of what you decide.

FOMOGO
 
#12 ·
I would suggest a new t/c and a valve body at the very least. Then put a 6.0 tranny cooler on it, then wait until you have added some more mod money, get guages, then put the wicked wheel or ATS housing on, gut the EBPV, straight pipe the exhaust (remove the kitty and muff, no need for an aftermarket system at this power level) open intake, then add the chip.
 
#13 ·
tymar intake - $50
Wicked wheel- $80
Gauges- $300
exhaust- $400
Chip from Elite Diesel $350-400
Valve body for the tranny $250

Total of $1450, this should give you a good pulling truck with Good EGT manors and a ok tranny!!!
 
#14 ·
I agree with the t/c and shift kit for the tranny. And don't forget the gauges.

-dan
 
#15 ·
It would have been good to have the tranny temp gauge all along due to the heavy towing. I would lay the foundation for power upgrades with intake, exhaust, and gauges. Then see if more tranny cooling is needed and how much budget is left. Not so easy to tell with fall/winter temps now. Really can't complain with 175,000 on a stock anything that fails.
No way to know how many heat cycles the tranny seals may have left @175,000. That's just a standard rebuild reason from normal wear. When you add power, TC and hard parts can fail. The VB is wear prone by design. At least whatever you choose you have heads up advice. That will help you decide how heavy to apply the right foot :popcorn:.
 
#18 ·
I would do this for both a 7.3L or 6.0L:

1: Three Gauges and a painted pillar ir any pther mounting solution (Exhaust "EGT", Boost, and Trans) for a manual I would replace the Trans for a Diff)
2: 4" full exhaust (on the 6.0L I would only do the 3.5" down pipe to 4") and no CAT on both
3: Cold Air Intake
4: SCT programmer no substitue

For the 7.3L, I would add the following:
1. Trans shift kit
2. T/C Lockup with Monitor LED
3. Compressor Wheel

I can well keep you within your budget and even have some left overs.

PS: Everything listed above I have on both of my 7.3L and 6.0L
7.3L-199.5 244K miles on original Tranny and motor no work has been done there
6.0L-2003 139K still on factory parts as well, this one is the towing mule
 
#20 ·
dfuser said:
I would do this for both a 7.3L or 6.0L:

1: Three Gauges and a painted pillar ir any pther mounting solution (Exhaust "EGT", Boost, and Trans) for a manual I would replace the Trans for a Diff)
2: 4" full exhaust (on the 6.0L I would only do the 3.5" down pipe to 4") and no CAT on both
3: Cold Air Intake
4: SCT programmer no substitue

For the 7.3L, I would add the following:
1. Trans shift kit
2. T/C Lockup with Monitor LED
3. Compressor Wheel

I can well keep you within your budget and even have some left overs.

PS: Everything listed above I have on both of my 7.3L and 6.0L
7.3L-199.5 244K miles on original Tranny and motor no work has been done there
6.0L-2003 139K still on factory parts as well, this one is the towing mule

So you're saying nothing needs to be done to the torqueshift at all? How much power are the TC's good for?

I went through 3 tranny's behind my 7.3 until I got a fully built BTS, so I'm a bit squeemish.
 
#21 ·
5r is a really tough tranny... I have seen trucks with 400-450 hp and nothing to the trans last 100,000-150,000
 
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