04 vs 04.5

[AH64ID]

The coolant reservoir is the tell, it's behind the pass better on the 04.5+ motors.

If it's not the HO then it's either 235 or 250hp, but a Smarty can fix that.

I hope it's in good shape.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

As for the cam, there is a small difference between the 03/04 and the 04.5. different timing etc, but part numbers the same, not sure why. I do have a extra 03/04 cam that is in good shape laying around that my machine shop compared it to. Its nice not to have all the extra plumbing the 04.5 and up has. I just got done doing a full rebuild with a bunch of upgrades. Also the early 2004 come with the 48RE Automatic.
Kyle

 

[RVTRKN]

Yes the valve seats did change for the temp, forgot about those.

It's unfortunate they put the piston they did in those motors, but that's not too hard to change out

What pistons did you go with when your 5.9 was recently rebuilt?

 

[AH64ID]

What pistons did you go with when your 5.9 was recently rebuilt?

I went with the QSB480 pistons, they are the same bowl as the 03-04 but are double heat treated and Cummins claims they are 30% stronger which makes them much stronger than the 04.5-07 piston.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

PAI pistons (Cummins upgrades) and a Colt stage 3 cam

 

[RVTRKN]

Have you noticed any performance differences, one way or the other?

 

[AH64ID]

Have you noticed any performance differences, one way or the other?

It's hard to say what was from what, but the motor makes the same power (on a dyno) but is much smoother, quieter, a little more efficient, and seems to respond better across the board. I had a lot done thou, so I think its the combo.

 

[RVTRKN]

I imagine you had it blue printed and balanced, might that be the reason it's smoother?

 

[AH64ID]

Yes it was, it helps quite a bit as I think the injectors do too. I know that a cam will also help.

 

[rscurtis]

Also the early 2004 come with the 48RE Automatic.

My signature truck built in Jan. of '03 also has the 48RE. It had just become available at that time.

When the "600" engine came out, initially I wished I had waited for it. After I got to know a few people who had them, I know I made the right choice with the 305/555 engine. The passage of time and miles has also validated my decision.

 

[b.ferrara]

went and got the truck over the weekend, it's clean as a whistle. I cruised at 1900/2000 rpms all the way home about 69mph and got 17mpg. It has the 235 motor with the california cat/exhaust. I just called the guy who does my NY inspection and he says cat can go. So I'm assuming after the cat falls out it would have the SO rating of 250hp. I'm going to keep it stock as it will be a daily driver and not a work truck. The 97' will be the work horse. Thanks for all the replies and info.

 

[p-Bar]

Hold on to the cat . Very expensive to replace if needed .

 

[cerberusiam]

The CAT is not going to hurt you power or mileage. I think your emisisons guy is dead wrong on the CAT. By law if it came with it it needs to be there, that is federal statute. NY is one of the states that conforms to CARB standards and a CAT is required for those stnadards. Don't remove it, you will just be putting it back on.

No, removing the CAT will not make it a 250 HP engine, that is programming the determines HP. However, a Smarty will make it a 305 or more when you load it.

Just remember an SO engine is lacking in the upgrades that made the HO so popular. You don't have the good valves and valve seats, you don't have the gallery cooled pistons, etc. You need to drive it like a 12V not a CR or you can have issues.

 

[AH64ID]

The CAT is not going to hurt you power or mileage. I think your emisisons guy is dead wrong on the CAT. By law if it came with it it needs to be there, that is federal statute. NY is one of the states that conforms to CARB standards and a CAT is required for those stnadards. Don't remove it, you will just be putting it back on.

No, removing the CAT will not make it a 250 HP engine, that is programming the determines HP. However, a Smarty will make it a 305 or more when you load it.

Just remember an SO engine is lacking in the upgrades that made the HO so popular. You don't have the good valves and valve seats, you don't have the gallery cooled pistons, etc. You need to drive it like a 12V not a CR or you can have issues.

x2!!!

Get a Smarty Jr and set in on SW1, it will be similar to a 325 motor or maybe a little stronger.

Pistons are still cooled, just not like the HO motor.

 

[RVTRKN]

I live in this God awful State of Comifornia and it has turned into the Peoples Republic of Comifornia, Dodge was losing lots of money because nobody would buy a CTD in Comifornia unless they were uneducated in the D/C world. I had to wait a few years, before I purchased my 04.5 here in Comifornia. It will be a good truck, just lacking in power. I would leave it stock and just except the HP rating, you will create other issues when you go down the programer road. Good luck with your truck!

 

[b.ferrara]

how do you like the dynatrac hubs?

 

[Prairie Dog]

I'll pile on here..
Taking the cat off will make no difference in power at all. Plus, regardless of what the guy said it's illegal to do so on a federal level.
And if emissions testing comes to you it will have to be re-installed and they aren't cheap.

Scott

 

[Regcabguy]

went and got the truck over the weekend, it's clean as a whistle. I cruised at 1900/2000 rpms all the way home about 69mph and got 17mpg. It has the 235 motor with the california cat/exhaust. I just called the guy who does my NY inspection and he says cat can go. So I'm assuming after the cat falls out it would have the SO rating of 250hp. I'm going to keep it stock as it will be a daily driver and not a work truck. The 97' will be the work horse. Thanks for all the replies and info.

Legally,the cat must remain under Federal law. As posted above,minimal power draw from the cat. Just a lot less smelly exhaust. I've run a Smarty from week one on modest settings with apparently no ill effects. I do occasionally remove it and dang what a dog.

 

[rscurtis]

how do you like the dynatrac hubs?

I don't know who the question was directed to, but I'll respond anyway. I like them, even though they are more expensive than some of the others that are "off shored". I'll always pay more for a USA made product. This is the way the truck should have been built in the first place. I just returned from a trip to my native Long Island, and while I haven't refueled yet, I went 634 miles and still have over a 1/4 of a tank of fuel left, and that includes almost 100 miles of brutal Long Island traffic. The turbo, manifold, and the Rokktech also do their part.

 

[WoodChuck]

The early '04 for CA was 235 HP, SO was 250HP and the HO was 305HP. I addition to the engine output and emmisions the rear axle on the CA and I maybe even the SO had a 10.5" ring gear where the HO had an 11.5" ring gear. In 04.5 all trucks were HO.