Looking for powerstroke diesel info...

[goosebruce]

Hoping somebody knows a diesel shop or enough about these things to answer some questions about some mods.

I got a new 2006 super duty with a power stroke. I bought this truck not because I needed a diesel, cause I wanted a truck that would last 200k and haul ass doing it. I never tow more than 2-3000 pounds. I do drive fast and think black smoke (within reason) is cool. Thought itd be as easy as going on line, and finding a 'chip'. Gawd damn, they got 100 different programmers, and moduels for this thing. 100 different pipes. 100 different intakes. And the guys on the dang diesel forms I checked out are over the top... I aint looking for 1000 hp. I want some more power I know I can get cheap, more mpg, and not loose ANYTHING in relaibilty. I dont want to unhook anything, or add extra gauges so I might not blow something up, inject propane, water, or methane. I dont want my truck loud, I dont want my truck to loose any of the nice stuff I bought it for. Went and bought a diesel performance magazine, and it made it more crap to wade thru. I have pretty much decided against an after market intake, as Im concearned about those filters abilty to digest dust. Anything I give up there, is gonna effect me on long run I figger, and was advised the same thing by the service manager at the dealer I bought it from confirming what I thought. And the ideal of oiling and cleaning an air filter seems stupid in modern ages... I like tossing dirty stuff. But a 'chip' either a module or a programmer, and a pipe, is defiently coming. But thats where I need some help from somebody that knows this stuff. I take it a module is something you could dial up or down depending on the situation, and a programmer simply reflashes the computer to optimized settings. If I buy a programmer, will it only work on my truck? Or could I buy it and do my friends truck as well? Can I put my factory reflash back should the need arise for warrenty work? I dont see the need for a moduel, cause I dont want anything showing visible on my dash or in my interior. Like my stereo upgrade I already did, anything showing to the outside (even with the windows tinted) is gonna get my truck broke into evetunally. Anybody fool with these things and KNOW from experience, or know a diesel shop or site for normal people? travis

[MudHog]

three sites you need to check out:

http://www.superdutydiesel.com

http://www.oilburners.net

http://www.thedieselstop.com


The first and third are ONLY Fords. The middle one is anything diesel.

Personally, I'd say go with Jody Tipon @ DP Tuner. Also, consider a programmer instead of a chip. Once chipped, there's no going back in the event that you have problems. Dealer will see the coating removed and know that it's been chipped. Secondly, programmers now read DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) and can help you in the event that you run into problems as well.

Although I'm not a fan of the 6.0L, you picked a good year. The '07 models will have a new 6.4L twin turbo that's likely to be a repeat of problems like the 6.0L. Personally, I drive a '01 F350 with a 7.3L.

[turkeyman]

ok I have a 04 6.0. the 7.3L was the best truck. if your wanting power get at programer. i think mine is called Super Chips. You wont get the gas millage like you will in the 7.3 i had a 7.3 and with my old chip i got 21 milies per gallon my 6.0 i get about 16. Once you put it on your truck you cant put it into another truck b/c it takes your stock codes out and puts the program in so all you will be doing to your friends is swaping the stock programs out. and when you go get it worked on all you have to do is put your stock program back in while its in the shop (and they cant tell b/c i had warranty work done) then you can reprogram it. I will say that the power will be there and be careful you dont spin the axle off your truck.

[ducman77]

buy the superchips it gets about 130 more hp

[torch]

Superchip on a ford is a good choice. If you can find a bullydog dealer they will install theirs and let you try before you buy. Exhaust will do a lot for a diesel. You want a turbo back system. We have installed the new 5" systems on ford and GM. Any chip or programmer you buy can only be installed in one vehicle at a time. It stores the stock settings and installs the performance settings. I hope this helps you

[MudHog]

I'd rather run Edge over a Superchip. Edge seems to have the best "tunes" on their programmers. If you do go with a chip, I'd suggest a flip chip hands down. You can decide how many pos. you want and then choose different tunes for each spot. Then at the flip of the chip you can go from stock to 100 or stock to 40 or 40 to 100, etc. Let of the fuel pedal and flip the chip to another pos. then it's instant change. I'd still rather use a chip from Jody Tipton or Tony Wildman. These two guys fiddle with tunes all day every day and get the peak performance out of theit tunes with dependability in mind.


Something I want to bring up, programmers/chips, even the 10k mod, can hurt you if you don't have other items to go with them. Main thing is gauges and particularly a pyrometer. EGTs are very critical in diesels. Then there's intake and exhaust. Diesels regulate fuel instead of air/fuel like a gas engine. They pull in as much air as the turbo can push into the engine. The freer flowing system, the better. Same for exhaust, the freer flowing the better. This means mandrel bent turbo back systems.

One good thing about Edge, is that you can get the Edge with the built in monitor that will monitor the main concerns. Also there's a device called the X-Monitor. It's also a LCD display unit that monitors certain items. These are options to the traditional round gauges mounted to the A-Pillar like you may have seen on other trucks. I have 4 gauges mounted on my pillar (air psi, boost psi, egt, trans temp).


If your looking for a place to buy, check out http://www.itpdiesel.com Dennis drives a 6.0L dually and can help you along the lines of 6.0 specific mods.


I still don't understand why your wanting to chip a 6.0L though. They have exceptional power comapred to the 7.3L. They don't have the low end torque like the 7.3L, but they have speed and running ability. The variable vane turbo is a big part of that. It start at a low angle to help reduce turbo lag and then adjusts with RPM to bring in more air and raise manifold pressure.

[Cuttin_Up]

Do yourself a favor and take it back while you still have time and get a Duramax!!!!

I totally agree with what everybody here is saying. You can spend very little money and get alot more HP out of a diesel.

1. Mild Programer....you dont want to be dealing with tranny issue down the road. Be sure to always set this back to stock before you take it to the dealer.

2. Exhaust.....so you can blow smoke all over the Dodge boys

3. Cold Air Intake upgrade.....I would do this last, you wont notice a whole lot of difference with this.

[MudHog]

Do yourself a favor and take it back while you still have time and get a Duramax!!!!

I totally agree with what everybody here is saying. You can spend very little money and get alot more HP out of a diesel.

1. Mild Programer....you dont want to be dealing with tranny issue down the road. Be sure to always set this back to stock before you take it to the dealer.

2. Exhaust.....so you can blow smoke all over the Dodge boys

3. Cold Air Intake upgrade.....I would do this last, you wont notice a whole lot of difference with this.

Now why would anyone want to drive a Maxi-Pad. I can understand a Cummins, but the worst thing about a Cummins is the truck that's wrapped around it.

[Greenhead22]

Does anyone know why Ford sells so many of their diesel trucks? Here's the answer........Powerstroke !!!

You can take that labeled decal and put it on a chevy in place of Duramax, and they'll sell like hotcakes, same goes for Dodge if they swapped it out with Cummins.

I know people that love them, also know about the same number that hate them.

[stang67]

I think this is pretty compelling news...


Edmunds.com heavy duty comparison test:
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontaine ... geNumber=1

Didn't mean to hijack the thread.

[JDgator]

I respect ya'lls right to drive whatever truck you want, but just don't ever complain about rising fuel prices if you have a powerstoke diesel engine and only pulling a ton or two. A minivan could probably do that.

[Cuttin_Up]

Now why would anyone want to drive a Maxi-Pad. I can understand a Cummins, but the worst thing about a Cummins is the truck that's wrapped around it.

Because they wouldnt be caught dead in a powerchoke.

All three makers have good 3/4 ton trucks and each have there fair share of ups and down.....just one is better...............Chevy.

[dukmisr2005]

if ya gonna drive a desiel get a CAT.. everything else is just a dog..
actually i have no preference.. both ford and chevy have good bad and ugly about them... if i was given my choice i would get the ford..

[wudduk]

I have the 05 powerstroke, and I have the Bullydog. Something like 130hp increase. It will smoke the 35 inch pro comp tires. But when you put the hammer down it will definitely put out the black smoke.

[Cuttin_Up]

I think this is pretty compelling news...


Edmunds.com heavy duty comparison test:
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontaine ... geNumber=1

Didn't mean to hijack the thread.

Good article! I think Edmunds hit the nail on the head.