2017 F250 gas performance upgrade

Being a '17, Ford has locked the ECM from changes in closed loop operation. Meaning, that below 3000 RPM, a tune will effect nothing. Above 3000 rpm, a tune can get a little more aggressive with timing and improve fuel trims. Biggest bang for the buck is to reduce restrictions on the intake (open the airbox and tubing) and exhaust (cams, headers, or shorty headers if in an emissions controlled region).

Cheapest and easiest is to drive aware and be in a gear to be above 3000 rpm when needed.

Dealers are really low balling trades now. The used market is so unstable right now they don't know what to do so they take the safest way out and that's cheating us.
I agree with the comment about the engineer or the K&N guy in theory but I have run tuners on gassers with good results. The newer the vehicle the less impact they have in the gas side of things. The diesel stuff is a different story. However, why do we need 1000 pound feet of torque?

carlislefamily2011 wrote:
Wondering if cold air intakes and performance tuners provide a benefit regarding towing? I have a 2017 F250 gas truck and am looking at options to increase towing performance. Thanks...

What are you looking at towing? What is the GVWR of the new/desired trailer? What is your current rear axle ratio?

Intakes and tuners won’t do anything if you don’t fix the exhaust side too. The small benefit you may get will take a long time to recoup the cost of the “ upgrades” and will void any warranty as well. If there was an easy fix to boost power and mileage without negative affects the manufacturer would have done it already.

Your truck comes with a stock "cold air intake".. It just ain't that fancy stainless steel tube thing, but it still grabs cold air from outside the engine compartment..

Choice of filters is up to you... I've used them all and they all work.. The K&N's get a bad rap, but unless you know what you are doing, not worth it at all..

Tunes.... Well, I've not gone that route.. I hear they can up the power pretty good... Just never felt the need to mess with it...

Heck, I've got 365hp and 420tq from the factory... I don't need to get from point A to point B any quicker.. I also don't bog up the grades either running stock, so no point really.. I do run 92 octane gas, and that does help believe it or not... Or get a tune... Your truck, your choice. :)

Also, I know you are talking a 6.2 gas NA engine and towing a big A 5th wheel... Do you already run 92 octane gas now? I know that did make a difference from running the 87 when I started towing the new Rockwood... (it weighs all of it's #7000 GVWR) :)

Good luck! Mitch

Really isn’t much you can do to a gas engine that will help. Tweaking shift points helps some, but the Tow-Haul button takes care of that. Trading it in on a 7.3 is probably the best move.

The K&N will give a nice boost in performance, but it’s only a step above running with no filter.

You would probably get a good trade in value for your truck, then you could get a new Ford with the 7.3 liter gasser.:)

Who do you trust more, an engineer with 30 years of automotive experience at Ford or a guy with no factory experience at K&N and Super Chips?

I would not use aftermarket air filters because of the dirt that gets thru.

Either SCT or 5 Star Tuner. Allows switch to towing mode