Well, this past weekend I took my family up to Big Bear in my highly modified 2003 F350 6.0L. Trip went well the first day. The 2nd day the truck barely started. Heavy black smoke, no throttle response, and would die after 30 seconds. Voltage=12.5V, FICM=58V, HPOP=3500psi as soon as I started it. Luckily, I have 12 gauges (like an aircraft) and can get this info. After talking to Bud from Bud's diesel in Midway City, CA (new location) on a Saturday morn on his cell, it was determined that I would have to tow it. Bud has always been more than helpful with his facility and his knowledge. I would recommend them anytime, anyway......I disconnected the IPR = no start. I reconnect it, same crap. Disconnected the foot pedal throttle, even worse. It looked like a bad and ruined vacation. No more ideas. I din't have an extra ICP nor the tools to get at it from below or above.

So I read the Forums for a while on my phone, and after 30 minutes, I used a screwdriver and disconnected the ICP connector from the ICP. The truck started right up, a bit smoky, but after driving for a few minutes, it ran great. Without the ICP, the ECM(?) pulls theoretical data from tables, so it is CLEARLY not the way to run, but it got me back home. The guy from the forum I was reading just disconnected the ICP and ran it that way, all the time. I know the EBP (exhaust back pressure) sensor is basically scrapped for a table, with all the newer tunes, too. I didn't recognize it, due to my lack of bad ICP knowledge, but last month, during warmup idle, the truck would "hunt" for a stable RPM. Basically, it would rev up and down for a few minutes. I think I read that this is indicative of a bad ICP.

Anyway, the truck is running, and I have been thinking about replacing the ICP this week. Then I have been wondering, should I scrap the highly modified 6.0L for the 5.9L cummins? This 6.0l engine is very powerful and really nice, but I have been kicking myself about just updating the truck with a modified 5.9L Cummins, so I have a reliable truck, especially when taking my family places far from home. I am not a Ford hater, I have spent lots of time on this baby. I love this truck, but can't afford a new 2014 F350. And the 5.9L common rail cummins is hard to beat, for reliability. Any ideas? Maybe I'll start another post about the swap. Diesel Conversions will do a freshly rebuilt 5.9L with upgraded injectors/turbo/and tune, turnkey for $25k. Also, does anyone have experience shipping a large truck? It appears it is ~$2k to ship from SoCal to Montana, with United Road Services. If anyone has any input, please give it.

 

when you disconnect the ICP the computer uses a default PSI of 2000 so if the ICP sensor stops sending a signal the truck will still run, NO 6.0 will run with the IPR disconnected by the way. leaving the ICP disconnected isn't bad unless you are towing or are real heavy on the throttle. just replace the ICP sensor and call it a day, about 12grand cheaper then switching to a cummins.

 

True, on the cost diff. I like the 6.0l, but I consistently have issues, regardless of the "bullet proof" fixes. The engineers just had their heads up their*$#&$^ when they designed this thing. I have been thinking about relocating the ICP with a 12" 5000psi tube. I just have to design it.

As for the 6.0L heads, 10 studs per 4 cylinders vs the 26 studs for the 6 cylinders. Not really a fair comparison.

 

Putting a common rail in your ford it's not a bad idea at all.
When I had mass troubles with my 6.0 I called my local performance shop all he told was don't even think about doing a trans plant just trade it off and buy a dodge.
You spend 25k on the switch over or trade your ford in add the 25k your going to have a truck that is newer and something you can count on.
In just about 2 years of the dodge oil and fuel is all I have put into it .