What simple mods can I do for my 99 7.3?

Desertdweller · Mar 17, 2012

I just bought my first 7.3 powered ford. It's a crew cab long bed 4x4 auto trans with a build date of 02/99. I have already ordered a drop in filter and a tow tune and plan on a 4 or 5 inch exhaust in the future. Im not looking for crazy power or anything, just a simple and dependable truck. So my question is there anything else I can do to my truck and keep it mostly stock? For example: I thought I heard something about a valve on the turbo that can be deleted? How about the trans I here they are kinda weak in stock form? Should I buy a shift kit or do a valve body upgrade? What is the benefit to a EBPS delete? Is there a couple sensors that I should keep in the glove box? Do I really need to monitor additional gauges? Thanks

purpleheart350 · Mar 17, 2012

Well I see you said that you got tow tunes so I guess you will be towing so I would say yes to gauges. They can at least worn you that something is wrong. A BTS valve body would be a nice upgrade but I have also heard that if you do that you might as well upgrade the whole thing, because it will mess with the TC then the internals. Like I said that's is what has been told to me. Someone else who has had experience might be able to say something about it.

Desertdweller · Mar 17, 2012

Most of my towing is around 4000 lbs. This truck is also my daily driver.

Big Bore · Mar 17, 2012

The sensor that you want to keep in the glove box is the Cam Position Sensor along with a 10mm wrench to change it. Location is lower passenger side of harmonic balancer.

Exhaust Back Pressure Valve is just a butterfly valve that closes during warm up. It can become sticky and cause poor performance. There is also a tube from the front of the passenger side exhaust manifold that is connected to the Exhaust Back Pressure Sensor. It becomes clogged and causes the sensor to malfunction which in turn causes the valve to malfunction. In my opinion if you are leaving the truck stock, the EBP system should simply be cleaned (remove soot from the valve and from the tube) so it operates correctly. The tubes will sometimes fail (crack) and are available as a replacement. You can also use the valve as an exhaust brake.

Having at least an EGT gauge and trans temp gauge will allow you to monitor how the engine and trans are operating.

Im interested in what tow tune you purchased. Did you buy a chip with a single tune on it? Which chip?

Desertdweller · Mar 17, 2012

I went with Beans 6 pos but only got High idle, tow, and economy tunes.

Desertdweller · Mar 17, 2012

Ok thanks guys. I guess I have the engine where I want it for now but what about the trans?

Denver · Mar 17, 2012

Drive it but in the meantime save up some money if it goes and if it does take it to John Wood to get rebuilt. FYI XDP diesel is having a 10% off sale for St Patty's day. I ordered my exhaust this morning.

Desertdweller · Mar 17, 2012

Cool thanks. I was kinda thinking the same thing with the trans.

Big Bore · Mar 17, 2012

BTS for the tranny.

Viking · Mar 17, 2012

http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/index.php

enjoy!

Big Bore · Mar 17, 2012

Viking said:
http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/index.php

enjoy!

Make sure to hit the diesel o-rings site at the top of the home page.

Desertdweller · Mar 17, 2012

Viking said:
http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/index.php

enjoy!

Perfect thanks!

Denver · Mar 17, 2012

Big Bore said:
BTS for the tranny.

John Wood will be a hell of a lot easier than a BTS. He's 2 hours from John and John will install it and tune it.

Desertdweller · Mar 17, 2012

Big Bore said:
Make sure to hit the diesel o-rings site at the top of the home page.

Yup just did thanks. I was thinking John Woods cause he is real close to me. You asked about my tuning do you think I will be ok with beans?

Desertdweller · Mar 17, 2012

Denver said:
John Wood will be a hell of a lot easier than a BTS. He's 2 hours from John and John will install it and tune it.

You beat me to it lol

Big Bore · Mar 17, 2012

Desertdweller said:
You asked about my tuning do you think I will be ok with beans?

Yea. At the very least you did good and got a TS chip so you can try another tuner if needed. When you said you got a tow tune I was wondering if you bought some eBay single tune chip or similar.

4.0l sahara · Mar 18, 2012

what drop in filter? I hope not a k&n.

Desertdweller · Mar 18, 2012

4.0l sahara said:
what drop in filter? I hope not a k&n.

No lol AFE

Dieselboy. · Mar 18, 2012

I see no reason why you wouldnt just put a JW valve body in there.

It will help extend the life of the clutches. Add that with s 6.0L trans cooler and some gauges.

Desertdweller · Mar 18, 2012

Dieselboy. said:
I see no reason why you wouldnt just put a JW valve body in there.

It will help extend the life of the clutches. Add that with s 6.0L trans cooler and some gauges.

I already spoke with John Woods and that's exactly what he said. The cool part is I can bring the truck to him and he will build the valve body to how the truck drives.