Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Power for Towing

[Silver Ratler]

My 01 CTD is basically stock... . fully gauged... auto trans. I tow an 11K 5th wheel and would like a little more power for towing in the mountains. I do not want a dragster or sled puller..... just a good strong TV.



I have been considering adding the Edge EZ to my truck... ... is this the way to go... . or... . am I waisting $$$$



Would appreciate opinions and advice

 

[georgej]

An EZ will wake up your engine by adding some timing and fuel and generally make towing more enjoyable,but be aware that you are around 4000lbs over your tow rating and just increasing the power output may cause other weak links to appear

 

[BDaugherty]

I think the EZ would be a great choice. Normally, I wouldn't worry about your transmission with a small power increase such as the EZ box. However at 11K you may be at the limit. I don't have experience with what you're doing. I think that you will be ok, but I just can't say for sure. I strongly recommend adding the Jhook along with the EZ.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

An Edge EZ would certainly be better than stock. I would recommend a Smarty which can be fine tuned for your particular needs and is also a code reader/clearer for a bonus. I have towed with a Smarty before there was a Smarty (catcher ecm) and would not do without it!

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[HBarlow]

I have no knowledge or experience with black boxes like the Edge. I had a set of Bosch MH275 injectors installed in my '01 HO/six spd when the truck had only a few months and a few thousand miles of experience. I ran it 325k mile, from 150k to 325k as a commercial RV transporter hauling trailers daily. It was and still remains a very reliable truck. Never had any problems.

The engine will tolerate minor modifications with no significant loss of reliability or durability. Your 47RE working against 3. 54 gears and pulling a heavy fiver may be a different story.

Your transmission can be built to be bullet proof with power increase and the heavy trailer if you're willing to pay the price.

 

[fox]

I would say mach 1. 6 injectors or if you want less power with more smoke, the 275rv injectors. And of course the Smarty as it gives youtiming options and the ability to read codes and reset them. You should look at a VB, as even a stock truck benefits from it.

 

[SRadke]

Mach 1's give a nice 60 hp with safe temps to a stock 24 valve.

 

[RCook]

My boat trailer is close to 12K lb, and the Edge EZ makes it considerably easier to tow as compared to stock. Don't know how long your auto will last, but my 5-speed has towed some 80-90K miles out of its total 130K in major mountains w/o problems. Good mileage too. Love the EZ for a safe and simple upgrade. When I'm towing I set the jumper to the middle position of the three that are available.

 

[georgej]

OOps!! I read the 16k 5er in your signature and not the 11k lbs one in the post

 

[Midnite]

If you can afford to have a bulletproof transmission rebuild done, like DTT, ATS, or Goerend, that would be a very good first step. If you can't afford a full blown rebuild, then just a valve body and torque converter would help a lot. I think people going that route have mentioned Suncoast quite a bit.

The Edge EZ is a simple, cheap upgrade that's well worth it. The Smarty is also very good, however it's much more expensive. It does give you much more flexibility--for example you can flash in the mileage software into your computer when you're not towing and get a bit more mileage from the aggressive timing advance.

I'd focus on the transmission before I did any engine mods though.

Mike

 

[Midnite]

I should have mentioned one more thing--ditch the stock muffler if you don't have any strict emissions laws there. The stock muffler is very restrictive, and if you replace it with something that's a straight-through design, whether it's a piece of pipe, a glasspack, etc. , you'll keep your EGT a little cooler.

You can take it further if you replace the stock airbox with a free-flowing intake. I have a BHAF (a big cylindrical industrial paper element air filter sold at NAPA and most big truck shops under various brands and part numbers). I also hear good things about the Amsoil and AFE intakes though.

Mike

 

[IRNGOAT]

I just happen to have a EZ for an 01 I took off of the truck in my sig,( truck currently resides in a junk yard) P. M. for more info.

 

[hsmith]

So Mr. Cook pulls a 12k boat trailer. Not your average canoe for sure!!

 

[Silver Ratler]

Over weight

OOps!! I read the 16k 5er in your signature and not the 11k lbs one in the post

The 16K is the hitch... ... not clear in sig... ..... you had me checking my weight calculations and charts again



I'll clear up that sig so that it makes sense..... good catch!

 

[RCook]

Not your average canoe indeed. Just returned from another summer on the waters of SE Alaska. This is an early picture - the trailer now has three axles, as the boat turned out heavier than anticipated.

 

[hsmith]

What a way so spend a summer. I'm envious to say the least. Looks like there may be a bit of "working summer" involved too.

 

[Jefff929]

When I started Bombing my truck the first thing I did was injectors. Oo. On an 01 they are easy to do, about 2 hours and I had no idea what I was doing on this motor. The truck did just fine, then the function actuator nut got a wild hair, and I added an EZ. :-laf As others said the trany wasn't far from failing at that point. I had to baby it, what is the point of power adders if you can't use them? :{



I vote you do the injectors, they will give you low end grunt off the line.



The chips, boxes and programmers are cool tools and if done alone probably allow for other things. I like the Smarty and loved the Edge EZ.



Good luck with what ever you decide!

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Air Flow, air flow, air flow. Air in and air out.



Excessive EGTs come from fuel modifictions FIRST instead of air management.



I learned that from Gale Banks. Not EVERYTHING he says is ridiculous marketing hype.



Put a 16cm2 exhaust housing on your turbo, a 4" exhaust and a simple intake like Midnite's idea of a BHAF, and that thing will come alive!



It's not how much power you can make, but how much you can USE. What's the use of 700 rwh when your EGTs are 1900 degrees and climbing?