Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Performance mods for my '02

[Road Dog]

I assume that people like Joe Donnelly and others went through all the performance mods and did some dyno testing for the 24V/VP44 engine. That would be back around 2000 which predates the digital archive and search engine here. Are there any links back in time to the old articles and tests?

 

[Sticks]

What kind of power are you looking for?

Towing?

Racing?

Just a little more umph?

Figure out where you want to go, and how much money you are willing to spend. There are enough members here with 10+ years of performance testing on products that can help you out.

 

[Road Dog]

There's lots of good information here but I'm a numbers & analysis guy. So I'm interested in actual experimentation and hard data. Not many people take the time and money to dyno different combinations of mods.

I'm more interested in towing & fuel economy.

 

[Sticks]

Towing = $$$

Fuel Economy = Right foot.

Auto or Manual? (you are going to have to upgrade either, just hope it is not an auto)

Depending on how much more you want to do, I'd go with a larger set of injectors and either a quick spool HX40 turbo, or a small set of twins (your stock over a larger turbo), 4" exhaust, water/meth injection to help with the EGTs pulling hills and mountain passes, and a dozen roses for the wife.

 

[Road Dog]

I have the fabulous RE47 so that might need tweaking. That means it has the HY35 turbo too.

A basic upgrade seems to be RV275 injectors, a J-hook and an Edge. I already have an Edge Juice. But if I'm changing injectors why not go with something around 100hp and a turbo like a PDR HX35 or HX40? I guess at that point the transmission will start whimpering. No wife so I can put the rose money toward beer.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Road Dog unfortunately the majority of posts before about 2002 have been lost, mostly from server moves and a conversion to bring some old stuff over to the current board.



I've been on here since 1999, back in the day there were actually some pretty good boxes for the 24-valve which I wouldn't hesitate to use today. I ran an original van Aaken box (1999 vintage) which was good for about 60hp and much smoother, linear and drivable than the Edge EZ. Also the Diablo Puck ran pretty nice on my 2001 HO (also about 60hp). Another very good choice is the TST products. Another almost unknown but great box is the original Blue Box from Blue Chip Diesel, which I think is capable of about 100hp. Back in the early 2000s Edge EZs and Comps were popular but were relatively unrefined in terms of power delivery and overly aggressive on timing advance compared to other products.



Back in the day Diesel Dynamics injectors were the way to go, now injectors from DDP, F1 Diesel and SDX (Southern Diesel Extreme) are much better choices.



A PDR35/40 or HX40 upgrade was good in the day but a modified S300 from places such as BD Power, Engineered Diesel, etc. are considerably better in efficiency and durability.



A nice setup if I was doing up a 24-valve would be DDP or F1 injectors around 75-100hp, 62/65/12 or 62/65/14 S300 turbo and an old van Aaken box, along with 4" exhaust and BHAF air filter.

 

[Sticks]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I have been out of the world for a while and was unaware of the newer turbos available as a straight replacement.

I am surprised that your transmission has held up this long. With the Edge that you have now, I would venture to bet that you are maxed on the power that it will tolerate.

Again, been out of the world, and last I knew DTT built autos were the best option. I do know that you NOT want anything "purple" bolted, modified or even close to your engine/transmission.

I personally know several members that have the DTT, and were combo 1/4 mile trucks and tow rigs with no problems. I can also personally vouch for the "purple" issue having seen the results and had to correct their errors (READ - customer had work done at their shop, then came to my shop to get corrected, and well documented product failures). DTT trannys are very pricey, but you really do get what you pay for.

Get that transmission done first, then when your finances get out of intensive care, start looking at the power upgrades.

 

[AClayton]

I can't believe nobody offered up the Smarty as a great addition to the 24V. I have the Bully Dog Torque Module and I can't even use it... . makes my truck sound like a cammed-up small block Chevy!! Way too much timing for towing!! I have been very satisfied with my combo and although it was expensive, it is a very trustworthy and exceptional combo. I never go over 1000* on my pyro whether pulling my big 5th wheel or racing a Mustang. My truck does low 14's in the 1/4,pulls anything you hook to it and routinely gets 19mpg... ... provided my foot is careful.



As mentioned above..... best mod you can do is to upgrade your transmission. I have had a dose of the purple POS and can confirm that also..... stay away from them!!!



Alan

 

[Sticks]

I can't believe nobody offered up the Smarty as a great addition to the 24V...

Couple of old timer members here so to speak. In the day, it (Smarty) was Marco's Mad ECM. We found what we like and stuck with it. The latest and greatest is not real important anymore so we don't think of it.

 

[Road Dog]

I am surprised that your transmission has held up this long. With the Edge that you have now, I would venture to bet that you are maxed on the power that it will tolerate.



Again, been out of the world, and last I knew DTT built autos were the best option. I do know that you NOT want anything "purple" bolted, modified or even close to your engine/transmission.

I have a light foot and almost never break anything. Unlike my brother who makes up for it. The transmission's fine for now (I'm still under 100,000km) and fortunately DTT is just down the road. One thing that's not discussed much is stuffing a 68RFE into a 2nd gen.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Today I would use the TST PowerMax (your Edge box should work well too) with Dynomite Diesel Performance injectors and BD twin turbochargers. I don't know what lift pump you are running; I would select a FASS system if I didn't have a high capacity system with excellent filtration. You can also get a “hot rod” VP44 for a little more power; DDP and others offer them. In particular, much better turbochargers are available today than back in 2000 or so. We blew up a lot of turbos back then.

 

[cerberusiam]

One thing that's not discussed much is stuffing a 68RFE into a 2nd gen.

That would be due to the lack of parts to do it and the cost. While the 68RFE would be a great unit there is not an easy reliable source for a controller. The 68RFE is fully computer controlled and it will take a complete computer unit to make it work. Suncoast is supposedly working on a conversion but just about guarantee it will top $10k to do it.



All the 48RE parts will fit a 47 if desired. Otherwise its a lot cheaper and more effective build a 47\48 to do everything you need.



A Smarty is a good choice for power as may be a Quad product. Yes, the newer turbos are MUCH better than what we used to use. The HX series is really old technology. An HE351 or even an HE351VE is a good upgrade for a 1st or 2nd gen truck and can be had relatively cheap. Takes a little work but its worth it.

 

[Road Dog]

That's a good point -- that newer injector and turbo designs will be better than 10 year old designs.