Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Question about upgrades

[jhiers]

Hey guys,

I'm getting ready to order a few things for my truck and need your opinions. I have a 2001 3500 6 speed and wanted to order a 4" exhaust, edge adrenaline cts programmer and a BD exhaust brake. I'm towing a heavy fifth wheel so I want something to help me when towing. I wanted the Edge because of its capabilities instead of buying mechanical gauges. The truck is stock other than a FASS system that was installed last year. Is there anything else I should consider when ordering?

 

[HBarlow]

The four inch exhaust won't do a thing for you other than lighten the load in your wallet. One of the best mild performance upgrades you can perform would be a set of new Bosch RV 275 horsepower injectors. They will increase egt to a dangerous level on long grades with your trailer on so you'll need to keep an eye on egt.

 

[AEdelheit]

I disagree with old man grumpy on the exhaust, I'd say anything over 4" is a waste but a 3" will be restrictive if you upgrade at all. The exhaust brake is a great choice, I prefer pakbrake but personal preference. You may need a clutch sooner then not if you up the power and tow heavy, the SBC 3250 street disc is a great option.

 

[JR]

Larger exhaust = quicker drops in egts especially when modifying an engine. I noticed a difference when I went from my factory exhaust to my 5". Yes, 5" is overkill, 4" would have been adequate for my needs but for 100 bucks for a brand new never installed full exhaust... sold A set of genuine Bosch RV 275 injectors and a good tuner will make a substantial difference over stock form. Much more than that and you will have to look at upgrading your turbo to mitigate the high egt's from the shower heads

 

[Bob4x4]

A little heads up,edge is not the company it used to be. Big exhaust big intake a bit more fuel is a lot more fun enjoy

 

[cerberusiam]

First off an Adrenaline is not an Edge product. It is a Quad product and Quad has closed their doors, not a good choice for a programmer.



Edge will be a Juice with Attitude controller, a comp box, or EZ. The EJ\A seems to be the popular choice for on the fly adjustability.



You might consider a Smarty and injectors as another choice.



About the only choice that will not require a turbo upgrade is going to be a Smarty as it only adds about 65 HP without additional pieces. Much more than that and tha poor little HX turbo is going to be struggling to cool things.

 

[BDaugherty]

I ran an Edge Juice with attitude on my '01 6spd. I really liked it and never had egt issues pulling heavy until I added bigger injectors. I did smoke the stock clutch. Peter fixed me up with a Con OFE and it's still doing great according to the current owner who knows nothing about the truck except how to add tacky stickers and rims.

 

[VolsFan]

I have owned my 01 for a little over a month so far. Already had a raptor fuel pump on it and jacobs exhaust brake. Had the stock 3" exhaust. I got a 5" which is definitely overkill, esp when considering the size of the exhaust elbow, but it was inexpensive ($365 to my door w/ muffler) and it looks good on the big 3500 rear end, I dont think I would have liked it on my old 2500. Anyways, exhaust made a huge difference for me. Finally heard the turbo spooling up with it. I would also get a fuel pressure gauge if you dont have one. Cant go wrong with rv275s either.

 

[VolsFan]

The tip was not included with the exhaust, was bought from local rv dealer.

 

[S.Morris]

How many Ford guys have you ****** off?:-laf



If I put that on my truck around here it would break down the next day as all the Fords drove by

 

[VolsFan]

haha, a lot. A guy at my work actually ripped the emblem off the hitch cover when I had it on my 2500. I went and got another one... Ford guys are a different breed for sure, I always give guys that degrade dodges on their rigs a lot of space so as not to come off like I really care,which I dont, makes me laugh how people get fired up over stupid things, I love it.

 

[jhiers]

I'm not sold on the Edge programmer, I just like that its displays all of your engine readings. I wanted to make a cost effective decision because I only intend to keep the truck for another year, and then trade up. This was also why is was gonna get the BD instead of Pacbrake. I had one on a '98 3500 and loved it, but I did'nt want to spend the extra cash for it this time. I really just need the mods for towing only, without spending a ton of cash.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Check out the power mods in my sig, and the dyno results - ours is a lighter RV than yours, but we pull the steepest grades in top gear, and NEVER have to worry about fuel PSI, or EGT...

 

[jhiers]

Could I get away with just a programmer and exhaust without the bigger injectors for now?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

That's how I started out, worked just fine...

 

[JR]

Many people run a tuner only you will be just fine with that. More importantly is to have ways to monitor fuel pressure, egt's, and boost readings before you get crazy with mods.

 

[HBarlow]

You don't even need the exhaust unless you just want noise. A bigger straight through exhaust will do nothing for power or economy.

 

[jhiers]

The Edge Juice with Attitude is capable of this correct?

 

[JR]

The Edge Juice with Attitude is capable of this correct?

The Edge Juice w Attitude makes good power especially if you tap the pump. The exhaust wont increase power but does drop egt's quicker. If your planning on going with injectors eventually, an exhaust would be a good idea. Not neccessary with a programmer. Actually I know someone who retained the factory exhaust but removed the muffler and converter and installed a clear thru resonator. Hes running an Edge with rv 275 injectors and doesnt have any issues with egt's.

 

[Bob4x4]

Most start out there