1997 7.3 Powerstroke upgrade

[JJZ 109]

I own a 1997 F Super Duty with 7.3 Powerstroke diesel. Pretty low mileage, just over 65k. In a previous life I believe it was a Bell Atlantic truck. It's equipped with an Altec AT 200 A boom/bucket.
It probably came equipped with a utility toolbox but that's been replace by a custom made flat bed. I tow a 7x14 dual axle enclosed trailer with it for my seamless gutter business. Gross weight is probably somewhere between 9-10k pounds.
It seems a little sluggish pulling that load and the transmission many times slams into the next gear when the tach is up there.
I see a lot of chips/programmers out there for $3-500 claiming to be plug and play that will bump up the HP/torque and "firm up" the shift points to make shifts smoother.
This is the first diesel rig that I've ever owned. Does anyone have experience with these chips and tuners? Are they worth the dineros or just a load of advertising hooey?

 

[Dargo]

I own a 1997 F Super Duty with 7.3 Powerstroke diesel. Pretty low mileage, just over 65k. In a previous life I believe it was a Bell Atlantic truck. It's equipped with an Altec AT 200 A boom/bucket.
It probably came equipped with a utility toolbox but that's been replace by a custom made flat bed. I tow a 7x14 dual axle enclosed trailer with it for my seamless gutter business. Gross weight is probably somewhere between 9-10k pounds.
It seems a little sluggish pulling that load and the transmission many times slams into the next gear when the tach is up there.
I see a lot of chips/programmers out there for $3-500 claiming to be plug and play that will bump up the HP/torque and "firm up" the shift points to make shifts smoother.
This is the first diesel rig that I've ever owned. Does anyone have experience with these chips and tuners? Are they worth the dineros or just a load of advertising hooey?

It depends on how much you like your transmission. You can really make the truck come alive for around $300 or so but, based on your description, you would probably take out the transmission almost immediately with more power. Tuners like SCT allow you to adjust the shift points and throttle body pressures, but that likely wouldn't help if you have more power.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm kicking around the idea of a tuner for my 2006 Ford F-150 (5.4L Triton). So far, it'll probably be the Edge Evolution, but that's not settled yet.
There are a number of tuners available and a number of forums focused on pickups and diesels specifically. I use Ford F150 Forum and F150 OnLine. So, try an Internet search or start with the forums I've listed and get some real world experiences, advantages and pitfalls.

 

[DT86]

I would try here....7.3L Power Stroke Engine and Drivetrain - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com Good luck!

 

[Combustix]

I put the chip in my 99 psd in 2000 and it has worked great since. Shifts better and is responsive to the petal. Before it seemed to lag when you needed to go until the turbo kicked in post chip it gets on it.

 

[JJZ 109]

Most of the tuner makers claim to get rid of the transmission slam while under load. Wondered if maybe that was too good to be true.
Just looking for a little more power and smoother shifts while towing without huge expense. Thought maybe some of the guys here would have have some real world experiences to possibly steer me in the right direction.

 

[RoyJackson]

Most of the tuner makers claim to get rid of the transmission slam while under load. Wondered if maybe that was too good to be true.
Just looking for a little more power and smoother shifts while towing without huge expense. Thought maybe some of the guys here would have have some real world experiences to possibly steer me in the right direction.

And you might get some good answers on TBN...but you might get good "real world" experiences on other forums too!
In my search, I've read more good experiences then bad...but when they were bad, it was frequently blowing a transmission ($$$$$$$).
Of course, we don't know how these guys tweaked their tuners and we don't know how they drove...

That 7.3 engine is a good one...good luck in finding a tuner!

 

[High Compression]

What do you want to know? I have had or do have 95', 96', 2 x 97's, 01', and a 02' Powerstrokes. I have learned to build my own tranny's. So far the first on I built has over 120k mi on it and still perfect. I have done, chips, programers, switch chips, exhaust, turbos, injectors, intakes, water/methanol injection, propane injection, fire rings...

That said, you say that it shifts firm? If so, that is not stock and is a good thing.

On the 97' Powerstrokes, one of the most restrictive pieces is the stock down tube coming off the turbo. It is smashed flat to ease installation on the assembly line. As far as the rest of the exhaust, if the resonator is removed, (looks like an all steel cat, but it's not) according to Gale Banks, the factory exhaust needs no improvement. Banks could not get any better flow than stock after the resonator was removed and the down tube replaced with a 3". It is still 50 state legal. That is the first step.

Next, I would check into the tranny. By building it correctly, and eliminating slipping and lost power through the slush box, it is the equivalent of a 60hp chip at the rear wheels. Next you can go on to a chip or tuner. This choice will come down to preference and tranny ability. Again, properly built tranny and take A LOT OF POWER. One of my strongest, has $1800 in parts in it and will take over 1000 hp and 1500 lb/ft. The most expensive part is a triple disc torque converter. I believe their around $1200.00. There is a company in Canada call DTT or Diesel Transmission Technologies. Call them and they will ask you a whole lot of questions and then send you the appropriate parts to build your tranny for what you intend to use it for.

Finally, you need air then fuel. A lot of guys "over fuel" a diesel. Causing a lot of black smoke. That's all cool, but a waste of unburned fuel and power. That means they don't have enough air to match the fuel that they are putting to the engine. A puff of black smoke and then clearing out is fine, but constant is a waste. Especially in street application. Racing, pulling, a different story, but your not going there.

I could go on an on, but you probably need/want a good reliable truck to pull down the highway with. I would start with exhaust, then tranny. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[rasimmo]

Great advice HighCompression. Most guys who hot rod diesel trucks never learn that. If you do some searching on diesel forums most of them say install 8" exhaust, throw in a programmer, cold air intake and go blow black smoke everywhere. Everyone I know who runs programmers in their diesels has torn up the transmission. Most of them because they tow with the programmer at the highest setting. Which by the way is never recommended by the manufacturer of the programmer.

You can make a huge amount of power with that old 7.3 and never have a problem with the engine. The transmission will never survive without some work done to it.

 

[56FordGuy]

High Compression covered it well. I would only add one thing to his list: gauges!

If you intend to modify your truck, you need to add at least two gauges. Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and transmission temp. Most folks add a turbo boost gauge as well.

When you add fuel to a diesel, the exhaust gas temperatures can increase. Different setups can affect them, intake and exhaust restrictions, how heavily you tow, etc. Factory trucks are engineered to never exceed a safe level to avoid damaging the engine. Once you alter the factory programming with a chip or tuner, you can blow right past that safe limit and do some damage, including melting pistons.

Transmission temp is a good idea to have on a stock truck with an automatic, but definitely a modified one. A lot of transmission failures are due to being overheated.

If you want to modify, High Compression is on the right track. Replacing the downpipe on your truck will lower your EGTs, and give it a bit more 'seat of the pants' power. Be prepared to cut the factory one out, I used a Sawzall. You will also have to bend a pinch weld on the front bottom of the truck cab, or the new round downpipe won't clear. It bends easily, you can use a 2x4 and a hammer to do it. I used a PortaPower. Just be careful, there's a fuel fitting on the back of the passenger's side head and you don't want to break it. You could also benefit from an intake upgrade, the airboxes on those trucks are known to seal poorly. The best bang for your buck there would be a 'Tymar' type of intake, which is basically a 4", 45* piece of metal tubing and a big, round paper filter. Filter part number is 6637, I think. You can make one yourself. I would avoid 'upgrade' filters that use the factory airbox. The open element intake will be a bit louder inside the truck, though.

If you do go with a chip/ tuner, I prefer the multi- position chips that plug into the PCM. You have more opportunities to work with the person doing the programming and loading it onto the chip, and can get a much more custom tailored product that way.

 

[JJZ 109]

I may just live with the old dog. I think a lot of it is turbo lag. Put your foot to the floor and give it a couple seconds and it'll pick up, but it sure is no ball of fire. But then again I never expected a 1997 diesel to be one.
I just wanted a little more zip and pulling power with smoother shifts, but I don't have time for major mods like transmission upgrades, reconfiguring the exhaust or turbo stuff. If it's tied up in the shop for a week it isn't pulling my seamless gutter down the road and making me money.
It sounds like the easy way out of adding a chip or programmer is a good way to grenade the transmission. I'd rather suck it up and live with it as is.
However, I do appreciate the replies and the tips. I just wish there were some simpler things to do for it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have ran Quadzilla chips on all my Fords and noted major improvements.

Chris

 

[paulwestski]

High Compression covered it well. I would only add one thing to his list: gauges!

If you intend to modify your truck, you need to add at least two gauges. Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and transmission temp. Most folks add a turbo boost gauge as well.

I'll strongly agree the first thing to spend money on is gauges, Then depending on your budget four inch exhaust , turbo back (which is only slightly larger than stock) Helps keep exhaust gas temperature down. Then what ever kind of chip you think that you need, lots of choices here. Cold air intakes are waste of your money. The best bet for your money is the FORD AIS intake system. Just as much air flow as the aftermarket overpriced systems but something like four times the filtration.

I just replaced the water pump on my 2000 F350 7.3 PSD and performed some other modifications that don't claim to add any HP or better MPG but make the engine run a little quieter and make the throttle more responsive.

The mods were fairly inexpensive. All of them you can buy a kit or procure the parts your self. I sourced the parts locally and saved over half of what they charge for the kits Go to either the Ford enthusiast forum or the diesel stop forum and search for "Hutch mod", "Harpoon mod" & "regulated return"

Read up about diesel antifreeze additives, & cooling system cavitation you may need to do a heavy duty cooling system cleaning and flush.

While I had most all of the turbo CAC tubing, water pump and all off I checked the glow plugs, two weren't up to specs so I pulled the valve covers and replaced all of them. You can also torque the injectors and rocker arms while the valve covers are off. The next step would have been to pull all of the injectors and test and replace the injector o-rings.

I think a E-250+ van turbo is a direct replacement for our trucks and is a larger turbo.

Transmission:
Read up about how to properly flush the system and flush it. should be done every 30k.

 

[56FordGuy]

The best bet for your money is the FORD AIS intake system. Just as much air flow as the aftermarket overpriced systems but something like four times the filtration.

Unfortunately, it is not available for the 94-97 year model trucks. Didn't come out until the 99's were released.

Doing the exhaust and intake modifications aren't difficult or time consuming. If you're mechanically inclined you can do both in a Saturday at home.

 

[JJZ 109]

I have ran Quadzilla chips on all my Fords and noted major improvements.

Chris

Any other mods required or transmission issues that have been pointed out?
I certainly wouldn't run the max settings on a programmer, just a little more get up and go would be nice. I'm not the motorhead that I was in the 80's. Turning wrenches hasn't been my big thing since everything got all computerized and electronic. That and the weather is turning colder and the truck has a 10' 4" height even with the boom down so won't fit into either of my garages. :laughing:

 

[Soundguy]

have you serviced your tranny?

My 450 and 350 shifted a bit hard. serviced them with synthetic trans fluid and they are like butter now..

soundguy

 

[Skyco]

I have a 96 Powerstroke I put a Banks Git-Kit on way back when that was one of the few things available, IIRC it added 40hp and I can't recall how much torque. it was a chip and a replacement turbo downpipe to get rid of the smashed one Ford used...the downpipe alone added 15 hp according to Banks.

I then later added a charge air cooler, that was quite a job involving replacing the turbo output/intake manifold, and adding all the plumbing to route the turbo output to the CAC and back, luckily a guy out in the northwest sold custom prebent steel tubing to hook it all up.
My truck would do 0-60 in about 10 seconds with the kit, respectable I think considering it weighed 7700 lbs empty!
I now run around at about 10,000 lbs with a work top and a bunch of tools and stuff...and with a trailer I can get too high on EGT on a long pull, so the EGT gauge is a MUST.

Oh and none of this made any difference in my fuel mileage that I could detect...
I had my trans built by the famous Brian's Truck Shop at 109,000 miles just because I was gonna be near there, hadn't had any trouble with it...I'm now at almost 200,000. I love this truck and wouldn't part with it for 3x book value.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I am running a modified 03 F350 7.3...
In order of build start with gauges, intake, exhaust, programmer or chip...
I have the older style programmer that works great...
It is an Edge Evolution...
Big difference in power...
The Diesel Stop is the best resource on the net IMHO...

 

[johnecash]

Since the topic includes trannies ---

Have any of you changed a later model O.D. elec. tranny with a good older model C-6,TH 400 or Chrysler 727 ?

I have had problems out of all the later models --- (Gm.,Ford and Dodge)

I prefer the older trans but I've read that the newer vehicles electronics are tied to engine functions and can't be changed without redoing the puter.
The other "worms in that can" can be worked out (Speedo-cruise ect)

Does anyone have a way around the problem?

-J.C.-

 

[5030]

Most of the tuner makers claim to get rid of the transmission slam while under load. Wondered if maybe that was too good to be true.
Just looking for a little more power and smoother shifts while towing without huge expense. Thought maybe some of the guys here would have have some real world experiences to possibly steer me in the right direction.

In some ways, the slam is better than the 'slush'. The slush means the clutches are slipping for your comfort which glazes the linings and creates unwanted heat. The slam is the clutches locking (in the ramges) without slipping. I prefer that. Learn to modulate the throttle to reduce it. I actually chipped my E4OD to 'slam'.:thumbsup:

2 things kill an E4OD. Heat and dirty fluid.