Advice from PowerStroke Diesel Owners

Moteaux

Professional Mud Tester

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• Sep 23, 2002

• #1

I was wondering if I could solicit from the group what the best mod you have done to your Ford PowerStroke for performance and fuel efficiency?

I have already installed an AFE filter and Diablo chip. The performance is definitely up, but the fuel milage is still about the same. I think the MPG is still about the same due to the fact that I lifted the truck 2 inches the same day.

What has worked best for you guys? Down pipe, full exhaust, intercooler or what.

Sorry, Duramax and Cummins guys need not reply if you are gonna say I shoulda bought the Chevy or Dodge, because that will not happen. But if you other brand guys have some good info on diesel mods. too, I would like to hear them.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

OnAnySunday

Big Pig

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lost in the deserts of NM

• Sep 23, 2002

• #2

No performance suggetions here, sorry. :(
But you might want to keep an eye on that air filter.
It seems that some of the powerstrokes built after 2000 are sucking their air filters up into the intake tract!
( this is all explained in a Ford tech bulitin. Check -w- your friendly neighborhood Ford dealer.)
Dont panic, or have heart failure or anything..... :confused:
It aint gonna self destruct or anything, but...
If you notice a drop in performance and/or fuel economy, check that filter.
Ford suggests replacing the housing -w- an updated version that uses filter part # FA1710 rather than #FA1680.
#FA1710 is a thicker more reinforced unit, and can withstand greater airflow without deforming.
Subtle hint though....Baldwin filters is currently producing a replacement for the FA1710 that is almost 50% less $$$ part # PA4148 at your local dealer.

 

Moteaux

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• Sep 23, 2002

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• #3

Thanks for the information. I have heard of this and have been keeping an eye on it. I will look into the other as well.

 

B

bake

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Sep 20, 2001

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• Sep 23, 2002

• #4

propane injection.... check out http://www.ford-diesel.com/

 

Moteaux

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• Sep 23, 2002

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• #5

That's something that might be considered.

Is it something you are using?

What are the pros/cons of the propane set up?

Also, I am not sure where I would mount a propane tank. My tool box in the bed goes almost to bed floor. I don't want a shallower tool box to mount the tank underneath. I need the deeper box.

Thanks.

 

B

bake

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Sep 20, 2001

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• Sep 25, 2002

• #6

I am not using propane yet, because they don't make a unit for idi diesels. The home page of the url I sent had a good explanition of just how it works and you only need a small (25lb) bottle. Did around and find some reading, I hear it makes awesome power!

 

Moteaux

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• Sep 25, 2002

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• #7

This is what I am getting at. I have read quite a bit, but am looking for people with real world experiences with things. I know they are supposed to make power and improve efficiency and I am sure they do. But, I have also heard horror stories about the propane set up too.

I am trying here at DRN first because this feels like home to me and I trust the input. I am looking to get the pros and cons about what people have tried.

 

H

Highbeam

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• Sep 26, 2002

• #8

Do yourself a favor and look at the ford-diesel. com site. People there are actually using propane and can show you pictures and report mpg gains. Many even have dyno results after adding each modification. The diesel engine buildup is an addiction, beware. We appreciate your trust but you're talking about big bucks for a specialized piece of equipment. It'd be like asking the truck people how to port a 2-stroke head.

 

Moteaux

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• Sep 26, 2002

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• #9

Thanks for your input high-beam. I not necessarily trying to build up a diesel engine, but knowing me it will probably happen in the end. I was looking for the average joe mods that some of the people had been using and what their results were. I am not ruling out the propane, but that was planned to be later on in the list. I have looked some on ford-diesel.com and have gotten some ideas.

 

T

Todd Turner

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Dec 24, 2000

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• Sep 27, 2002

• #10

I can't give you much specific info right now. I have 20,000 miles on my 2002 F-250 PSC, CC, short bed with 3.73 rear end. Getting 20.5 mpg at 70mph empty, 15 with 6x14 enclosed tandem axle trailer. That is much better than the 17.5 and 11 I used to see on my gas burner Expedition. My '91 Chevy Silverado got in between but it had a few mods.

Check out the guys at Diesel Innovations over in Houston (NW side of Beltway 8, around Hwy 290 area). They seem like nice guys and straight shooters. Check them out www.dieselinnovations.com. From reading the ford-diesel.com forums, I hear they have come out with a 4 position chip set up with essentially four power settings: stock, +50 hp, +85 hp, and Oh MY GAWD!

By your profile, I see you are oil patch. Does that translate to I-10 area or are you a relative yankee like me (4 blocks north of I-20). I started school in Belle Chasse so we thought anybody north of Ponchatrain was a Yankee. I live in Monroe now, raised in El Dorado, Ark, just south of Smackover, home of the internationally famous Smackover Motorsports!

Drop me a note. May be we can get together and ride Forest Hill, Breezy Hill or Camp Livingston.

Todd

Todd

 

Patman

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• Sep 27, 2002

• #11

Motohead what Diablo chip do you have? If your running anything much over a 60hp version with the stock exhaust you WILL be building a new diesel engine. The stock exhaust is too restrictive. The stock down pipe is no bad but the Jardine complete system is a pretty cost effective upgrade that will get the EGTs back in line. There are some nice stainless systems if you got about $1,000 burning a hole in your jeans. I do not have the Jardine system on my truck......YET but have contacts that do and are very satisfied with it. Not much of a mpg increase but the EGTs are much safer with a chipped truck. I have the "Zoodad" air intake modification and can honestly say it makes an improvement BUT not to run it with a paper filter. I run an oiled foam Amsoil filter that made a significant increase in available air for the intake that is seriously undersized to begin with and a PPIII that's good for +50hp & 100 ft/lb. The best MPG improvement I made was a swap to Amsoil lubes from front to back. Anything under 18 and I'm wondering what's up as that is the bottom line and I got darn near 23 running 75mph and loaded like Jed Clampet coming back from Dirt Week '01. :)

 

Moteaux

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• Sep 27, 2002

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• #12

Todd, I am from Odessa/Midland Tx area, and have been here about 7 years. Anytime you want to ride give me a call and we can meet up on the trails. I'll put you on my ocntact list for when we go riding so that you can come meet us too.

Patman, I have a prette docile chip. If I remember right it was either 60 HP or less. Can we hook up at DW at tell me more about whatch got under that hood?

 

Patman

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• Sep 28, 2002

• #13

I'll be there Thursday evening some time and headed home Sunday AM. My truck is a maroon, SC, shorty, 4x2 with R-K tool box & a big black brush guard. Chances are high I'll be on a funny looking bike with aluminum frame, no seat and mostly black plastic someplace near a '02 XR80. If you happen to trip over my wife who's pressed to see 5'0" she'll know where to find me.

 

Z

ziggypop

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Apr 24, 2001

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• Oct 15, 2002

• #14

Hey guys I have an 02 psd crewcab, which I love by the way. My question is how long do you warm it up in the morning I have heard conflicting answers to this.

 

High Lord Gomer

Poked with Sticks

Sep 26, 1999

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• Oct 21, 2002

• #15

MAN! I don't think my 97 PSD ever saw anything over 15 or 16 mpg, but it rarely saw much less than 3 digits, either.

Mine also didn't have a block heater...big mistake even in the sunny south when you get the occasional 20 degree morning!

 

F

Fox Racing

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Jan 7, 2002

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• Oct 27, 2002

• #16

I1

 

Last edited: Mar 24, 2003

C

CRboy167

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Jan 18, 2000

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• Oct 29, 2002

• #17

Ok guys I work on these things everyday and I will ask you to stay away from the propane. The problem isnt with the engine but with the rest of the driveline, it will come apart before the engine. There is a chance that if you have the propane injection and you go in for warranty repairs they may decline the repairs. If you get a power chip ask the if the chip will set a code P0603 in the PCM that is one sure way to check for a power chip but I have seen some of the new power chips that wont set this code. I hope this helps. ;)

 

Last edited: Oct 29, 2002

Patman

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• Oct 30, 2002

• #18

The new chips and programmers that are "four page" don't set the code because they are a complete replacement for the factory programming. The older ones are referred to as "three page" because they just modify the parameters riding on top of the factory stuff.

 

N

Nverfastenuf

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May 4, 2001

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• Oct 30, 2002

• #19

Don't kid yourselve's into thinking that by removing your chip before service that the dealers aren't on to the ways of "Performance Enhacements". Ford is cracking down big time on enhacements. And if they see you have propane injection, BIG RED FLAG. The dealer can and will void warranty on trucks with enhancements. Motohead, what year truck is yours, did I miss that??? There are sooooo many mods you can do to the trucks it is amazing. The Diablo chips run higher EGT's, so I would make sure you install a downpipe and larger exhaust. Like others said here, go to TheDieselStop.Com. There is a wealth of info there. I have 2 PSD's, an Excursion, ATS 3 stage chip + 4 inch exhaust, and an F-350 SuperDuty with 150hp chip, propane,and other mods. As far as mileage, I really don't keep track of it, the trucks are tooooooo much fun to drive slow!!!!!! As was said earlier, go to the above forum as there is a wealth of information there. Good luck.

 

P

psycho

King Rot-Gut

N. Texas SP

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• Nov 4, 2002

• #20

Originally posted by ziggypop
Hey guys I have an 02 psd crewcab, which I love by the way. My question is how long do you warm it up in the morning I have heard conflicting answers to this.

Click to expand...

What I had heard was let her idle for about 30 secs or so (oil pressure) and drive her nice until up to temp. That is what I have been sticking too unless it's cold out, then I let it warm up till I get some warm air from the heater. Granted I only have 33k on my '02 F-350 so I am unaware of any of the long term stuff...

 

Patman

Pantless Wonder

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• Nov 5, 2002

• #21

Most days I fire it up and let it run for no more than 30 seconds and off I go. Granted I have a slow first 2 miles to the paved road and highway so it gets an easy warm up and cool down. If it's really cold out I usually let it run for a couple of minutes to be sure all is well. Consider most rescue vehicles get little more than fired after the start light goes out and then hammer down and they seem to fair well.

Also of not is do not let your Powerstroke sit and idle for extended times. I see this all the time because people assume it's a diesel so that's what you do. Well the PS and to a lesser extent the Cummins need to have the idle increased to between 1100 (or higher depending on the electric load) in order to be at operating temps and not have fuel contaminate the oil by washing the oil off the cylinder walls. Ford has a factory item that is used by most emergency service vehicles but there are also aftermarket units that are less spendy.