Tuners

Before you get a tuner you need to take other steps! From what I have read on the 7.3 its major choke point are the intake and the exhaust. There have been several articles recently in the diesel mags that go over this point and just like in a gas engine, more air in/out the better the performance. I have a 6.0 F350, I run the hypertek economiser tune, I also installed a 4" turbo back exhaust and still have the cat in the system. truck runs well with the combo. The 6.0 air filter is capable of supporting up to 500 hp, yet many still go aftermarket!

But add a tuner WITHOUT the necessary extras will be a waste of $$. Go to diesel power and diesel world websites, I think they have the article on line, not sure. But dont waste the money without the other improvements, and yes a tuner does wake these things up but they also need basic help to do so.

I have been told older truck diesel engines like mine were tuned down from the factory by Ford for lower horsepower & torque to prevent higher exhaust gas temperatures, which must be monitored with an additional EGT gauge if a tuner or chip is used.

In our case, our engine was manufactured by International. It is my understanding International used more horsepower and torque their engines, but that is what I have read in some forums; I do not know if it is true or not.

I hope to hear from some of you who use tuners/chips regarding reliability/drive-ability over the years of towing.

3oaks wrote:
Not to start an argument, but to satisfy my own curiosity. If "tuners" are so great and improve performance, why don't they come standard or at least as an option right from the vehicle manufacturers? I have absolutely no dog in this fight one way or another. Just asking out of plain curiosity.

totally understand your question. also no opinion one way or the other

feel the same. why not a factory option?

I would look at getting custom tunes from a dealer specializing in diesels. SCT is a popular programmer as well as the TS 6 position chip.

Not to start an argument, but to satisfy my own curiosity. If "tuners" are so great and improve performance, why don't they come standard or at least as an option right from the vehicle manufacturers? I have absolutely no dog in this fight one way or another. Just asking out of plain curiosity.

A good tuner will make for both a more powerful and reliable truck. take a look at 5 star tuning they have very good tunes and work great. I have one for my V-10 X and it made foe a much more pleasant towing experience, mainly due to the new shift strategy they perform!