03 so -vs-04.5 ho

[EAMan]

Ok I need some advice. I have an 03 SO and have done the following: x-monitor, Edge EZ, and AFE intake. I have the 47 trans and nothing else done. I want more HP (doesn't everyone) somewhere between 300 and 350 rear wheel hp. I figure I will need about 5 grand to get my truck to where I want it. Will it be worth it. I am considering trading up to the 04. 5 HO, but I am hearing all kinds of little problems with the 04. 5 as in vibration and not running real smooth. Should I get the 04. 5 or wait or just spend the money and bomb the heck out of what I have?



Help

 

[Bertram65]

I would think with your add ons you would be close to an '04. 5 now. On the other hand depending on how you bought your '03 you may be able to trade in for an '04. 5 and be alright without losing much. The vast majority of people who buy these trucks do not know or care about the slight changes from year to year and will not care your truck has the 47RE and SO motor. Put an add in the local paper and see if you can get what you need to make it accectable to you. The dealer trade in might surprise you as well.

 

[EAMan]

I did dyno my truck and it had 235 rwhp. The new HO I think will be around 280 -290 rwhp. I am still well behind "600".

 

[gonzo2]

Just wait a few more months and any "gremlins" will be sorted out on the 04. 5. If you trade her up you will have a new warranty and a new starting point for improvements and more importantly, a new transmission. Just my . 02.

Craig

 

[KRozeboom]

I have an 03 SO/47re that is stock for the present. My sticking point on significant upgrades is the exhaust system with the 3. 5 inch catalytic converter as I am unwilling to remove it. The only obvious option is to try and fit one from the 2004. 5. Have no idea if this can be done at a reasonable cost or if even "legal" in California.



I think $5k upgrade cost is too low. You could spend that much on the transmission alone.



I will wait for the 2005s and then decide. I am otherwise pleased with my 2003 2500 QC LWB Laramie and for what I tow the power is at least adequate.

 

[daytripper63]

You can spend money on your new 03 or you can spend more money on new 04. 5 (CAUSE YOU KNOW YOUY CAN'T DRIVE A STOCK TRUCK) At least with your 03 you already know what you got, and no problems with it...

 

[klenger]

The 1st thing you need to do is ask yourself why you want to upgrade. If it's just becasue the 04. 5 is newer and has better numbers, sleep on it. In my case I upgraded from an 01. 5 so there were lots of improvements for my money.

 

[Pirate4x4]

My truck has an Edge EZ, afe, 4" exhaust, and ATS transmission/tc. and it is faster than my friend's PSD Excursion with 100hp chip, and my buddy's 6. 0 PSD. So if it's faster than those, I'm sure it's faster than the 600. It should be WAY faster with the PowermaxCR.

 

[EAMan]

The main reason I want the new truck is for HP... pure and simple. I do not tow... what I really have to fingure out is the cost issue on both sides. I do love my 03 but "WOW" 325 hp is hard to pass up.

 

[XcumminsX]

id say just sell you truck privately then find an 03 HO for sale...

 

[Udaloy]

Ok, how about trading up from an '02 still stock engine up to the '04. 5?

 

[JDerbedrossian]

SO model 363hp--686tq. 1200$$$ in mods

 

[TCDiesel]

MODEL

SO 645 LBS TQ / 335HP $ 900. 00 ENGINE MODS.

 

[Bertram65]

Those SO numbers sound pretty good, did either one of you dyno run the trucks stock? if so what were the numbers?

 

[TCDiesel]

SO

I did at the new cummins at white bear,MN. They could only tell me what the engine was. not at wheels

 

[JDerbedrossian]

never did pure stock but afe & exhaust got 220hp---485tq

 

[marksp]

are there any non-software performance related differences between the SO and the HO ('03 & '04)? Do the aftermarket "boxes" remap the ECM timing and pressure parameters thus negating the factory SO vs. HO differences?