Rot Box’s Superduty

[Rot Box]

Yeah it drove great for the remainder of the drive. Boost was right where it should be and egts were great. Just wasn’t happy with that hill 🤔

I think it was turbo surge but I don’t know for sure. I need to get a new Bluetooth dongle so I can monitor oil, fuel etc pressure and engine parameters. Maybe something is off? Hmm

 

[Rot Box]

Pulled some codes—found nine. Most were transmission related as this truck was originally an automatic.

The only relevant code I found was P1211 which points towards the IPR valve on the HEUI pump. I’ll check to make sure the tinnerman nut didn’t fall off of it (common problem) and replace the valve if needed.

Downloaded the Forscan software and ordered an interface to connect the truck to the computer. Time to get serious I guess… ugh.

 

[Rot Box]

Weighing my options. I’m convinced it was turbo surge maybe the E99’s aren’t immune to it like I had previously thought.

I’m betting my turbo hasn’t ever been rebuilt and it’s sitting at 240k miles. This truck was neglected pretty bad in it’s past life and I knew that going into it. It’s still cheaper than a payment on a 6.7 😎

So money wise I could spend $450 for a rebuild kit, ~$200 for a wicked wheel (supposedly cures surge). Or I could get this sweet drop in unit that will solve all of my first world problems 🤔 Pulling the turbo isn’t too hard there’s just one clamp that is a royal pita but otherwise it’s a half hour job.

 

[Rot Box]

I take that back.. $450 includes upgraded wheels with a balanced assembly—sweet. As soon as my interface shows up I’m going to monitor all the engine parameters and make sure I’m squared away on those. If it is in fact the turbo I’ll just go ahead and rebuild it. I’ve heard it isn’t too hard to do but I’ve never done one 🤔

 

[Tebbsjeep]

We rebuilt my brother's turbo on his 99, and it wasn't too bad. We did however find cracks in the exhaust side. After calling around to a few different shops we were told it's normal. None of the cracks went all the way through that we could tell. It was too late to return the kit as we'd already installed parts, but my brother wishes that he had just bought a new turbo because now he knows the turbo will fail at some point.

So make sure you inspect it thoroughly if you decide to rebuild it.

 

[Rot Box]

That’s a good idea Tebbsjeep thanks. I’ve had the turbo out twice now.. maybe three times? Anyway I didn’t notice any cracks but I wasn’t looking for them either. Maybe I’ll pull it—inspect and then make a decision on what to do going forward.

 

[Mouse]

KC is a nice unit. I've been looking at complete turbo assemblies from them. My OEM turbo has a WW2 and does not surge. I usual run a PHP tow tune with it. A good bit more responsive than a stock turbo

 

[glockman]

I have been eying a KC stage 2 for my 6.0. It's just $$$ right.

 

[Rot Box]

Just money is right! My wife is going to kill me already for the money I’ve dumped into this thing and really it hasn’t been all that bad… for a Ford anyway 😂

 

[Rot Box]

Wooo!!! Look what I got for Tinky! It’s the best chip on the market for 7.3’s. It has 17 slots/positions (😳) for tunes. I’ve filled them up too haha. I have a high idle feature—nice in wintertime, and a boat load of tow tunes. Couple daily driver tunes as well to hopefully let the truck sip a little less fuel. We’ll see.

Why a chip? Kind of a long story but…. on that hill I’m thinking my truck was hitting the overboost limit (23psi—I was at 26) and the waste gate was opening, the truck was defueling and my SES light came on. By adding a chip I work around the boost limit because it no longer matters. I think this will solve my first world problems 😂

If not it’s turbo upgrade time. I went though all my waste gate hoses and replaced them with new. We’ll see what happens I’m hoping to go for a test drive today. Wish me luck!

 

[Rot Box]

Sweet. I hit that hill again on a 65hp tow tune. Blew over the top no stress. Might be good to go!

 

[Rot Box]

Boost was around 23-24psi. Egts were at 1150* in fourth gear but it was holding strong. All the while being on a 65hp towing tune. I think I’m good to go—I hope. The chip really woke the ol’ girl up and I feel like I’m still in the safe zone gauge wise.

 

[Mouse]

I run a hydra on my truck with tunes from PHP. Been pretty happy with it for many years. Mostly use the 65hp tow tune, but occasionally the 80, 90, or 100 hp performance tune pops up. It will light up all 4 rear tires on the 100 hp tune (not bad for a 8000 lb (empty) truck)

 

[Rot Box]

You’re right Mouse holy smokes she’s a whole new truck. Went for a drive unloaded and was really impressed with what a simple tune can do for the ol’ girl. I’ve been on the 65hp tow tune this whole time—100 or 140hp setting? Oye my poor clutch probably shouldn’t 😂

Well I’ve got a camping trip planned for next weekend wish me luck. There’s two long pulls that’s really put the truck to work. Supposed to be in the high 90’s again so watching the gauges is going to be the first thing on my mind!

Hoping I can share some pictures. I’m headed to the mountains above Lava Hot Springs in southern Idaho. It’s beautiful there—about an hour and a half away from home so it’ll be a nice maiden voyage. Stay tuned!

 

[Rot Box]

Had a pretty fun weekend camping! Just over the border into Idaho with my son.

The leaves are insane right now 😎

 

[Rot Box]

Took the family out west for a fun long weekend! The truck still has turbo surge.. right in the heat of battle the turbo starts to flutter. It’s only happening when I’m towing the trailer and when it’s on a fairly steep climb. Manageable but kind of really annoying—thinking a KC drop in is in the near future 😎

 

[Rot Box]

Hey fellas! Well I ‘think’ I got the go ahead on either a turbo rebuild with upgraded wheels or a replacement turbo altogether. Just gotta decide on which route I want to go—and how much I want to spend.

Up-pipes while I’m in there… oye. Stock ones suck and mine are leaking a wee bit. I have upgraded bellowed pipes ready to go. Problem is they’re likely going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done—in my whole life—to change lol. Anyone want to help?! 😄

I’d like to get rid of that turbo surge it’s pretty bad. I think I’m on the right track though I hope so anyway.

 

[Mouse]

Up-pipes weren't terrible for my truck. I used the Dorman bellows version. The hardest part was reinstalling the turbo; getting the little pin aligned took a ton of patience and laying on top of the motor. If you haven't done the oil crossover yet, that made the biggest improvement in making the engine run better/smoother for mine (also quieter).

 

[I Lean]

If you haven't tone the oil crossover yet, that made the biggest improvement in making the engine run better/smoother for mine (also quieter).

I HAVE ONE OF THESE. Never got around to installing it, sold the truck. I have no use for it. @Rot Box please come get it and use it.

 

[Rot Box]

I HAVE ONE OF THESE.

Oh boy dang! I was I your neck of the woods yesterday wish I would have seen this post!