F-350 PowerStroke Programming

Hi Folks -

As you can see, I'm new here. I came here looking for some answers that I hope you can help me with. By the way, I've used the search feature, but didn't get any help (probably because I'm not using the right key words).

I have a 2000 F-350, 7.3L Turbo-Diesel. I'm interested in programming it, as I pull a pretty heavy boat with it.

I had planned to use a HyperTech programmer, but recently I've been heaing that programminjg these trucks is causing transmission failures. I certainly don't waant to do that!

So, if some of you are willing to share you experiences with me, I'd appreciate it. I'd be interested in any info you can give me relative to programming .... power imrovement, fulel mileage imrovements, transmission shift point improvements, etc. Also, any negatives you might have experienced.

I thank you in advance for any help you might offer.

Suds

wondering what you found out and finally ended up doing. I just bought a 2001 f250 4x4w/7.3 pstroke and am interested in increasing mpg. I usually tow a 12' enclosed with carpentry tools (2800-4000 lbs) in mixed country/suburb type driving and so far about 12-13 mpg. I was hoping for at least 15 with a diesel, expecially since i'm not really working it al all...any response appreciated.

I didn't get a lot of feedback from this post, but what I did get told me that I wasn't going to improve my fuel mileage by chipping or programming the truck.

Your mileage sounds about right to me. It is consistent with the experience of people around here that I know, as well as with my own experience. I tow a boat that weighs about 8000lbs, and I get about 10.5 miles to the gallon while towing. It doesn't seem to matter whether I'm on the intersate or on country roads ... the mileage is about the same.

But to answer your question about what I wound up doing:

I put a valve body in the tranny. It boosts the hydraulic pressure mechanically as opposed to electronically. Best thing I did to the truck as far as I'm concerned. Firmed up the shifts, and made it feel like a real workhorse as opposed to the 'sliding' from one gear to the next that the stock tranny did.

I also added an AFE intake system. Boosted air flow about 3 times over the stock intake box. This is the one that has the conical filter, and seals off against the hood. Permanent filter that can be cleaned as necessary.

I also changed out the exhaust system. I went with a 4" stainless system all the way. 4" downpipe as well. This mod and the intake mod are said to add between 35 and 50 hp. I beleive it. It also has a nice deep throaty sound.

I also put in a 'flip-chip'. the 'HOT' side gives me about a 70hp boost, while the 'EXTREME' side gives me about 120hp boost. I went with the flip-chip because I wasn't sure my exhaust temps wouldn't run high on the EXTREME setting while towing. I wanted to be able to reduce the boost if necessary to cool off exhaust temps.

And finally, I added a set of guages on the pillar. Put in tranny temp, exhaust temp, and boost pressure guages. Turns out my exhaust tems don't run high at all, even on the 120hp boost while towing.

I'm completely satisfied with the mods I've made, and the truck will absolutely fly. From a dead stop, with my posi-traction rear end, I can leave a let of black marks that last nearly all the way to the shift into second ....and when it shifts, it'll lay down another 15-20 feet of rubber. While I haven't timed it, I can tell you that just shortly after the shift into second, it's at 70mph!

And the truck just feels right. It's beefy enough to do whatever I want, and my wife loves it. She drives when we're pulling to boat on any long trip, and she sets the cruise control on 80 out on the interstate and just rolls on.

Hope I've answered your questions. If you have others, just let me know. Good luck with your rig, but don't expect much better fuel mileage. Like the old adage says .... it doesn't cost much more to go first class.

Suds