2004.5 cummins 600 needs help

[dan54s]

I have a cummins 600 but I am not inpressed with the power. I bought it replacing my 99 ford f350 with a power stroke 7. 3 with a 85 hp chip and a 4'' exhaust. I have a 46' trailer 22000 lbs that I pull my ford pulled it better than my new dodge does anyone have any recommendations on any "CHIPS" for more power I figured the dodge would pull just as good as my ford did because the ford had a advertised hp rating of 235 with the added 85hp chip should of been 320 hp and the dodge is rated at 325 but the ford pulls much better over 40mph than the dodge both have 4:10 rear gears and also any help would be appreciated

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Its too quiet and seems less powerful. Rip that muffler off.

Automatic or manual?

 

[Sticks]

How many miles does the truck have? You need to give it a little break in period before towing, then it will still take a while for the engine to "wake up".

 

[Hammer]

dan54s...

What a way to begin your first post...

first I'll say welcome to the TDR as I see its your first post and offer this help to you,hoping you find what you seek.



Having seen alot of 99-01 Ford Powerstrokes at our dyno rips on a Dyno-Jet I will have to disagree with your comment about it having more power than the 04 Dodge. The local Ford contingent who roll with us run/use the very best "chips" out there and NONE of them have made much more than 300hp to the ground,UNLESS they were propane equipped. I am not, nor will I ,dispute they ran well,they just didn't run as well as the Dodges. Here are some numbers for you to compare with fresh from our Fall show,best runs Hp first/Torque second...



00 Ford-335. 9/684. 9(Quad Box,Bill Flip Chip,trans programed)

99Ford-232. 9/495. 5(Bill Flip chip)

02 Ford-294. 2/690. 1(Quad Box)

03 Ford-384. 5/637. 6(Quad Box)

00Ford-205. 8/426. 2(bone stock)

04Ford-282. 3/459. 2(bone stock,brand new-191miles on it)

01Ford-211. 4/444. 9(stock setting)

01Ford-307. 2/657. 2(same truck as above,Bill Flip Chip top level)



Now a few of the newer Dodges,keep in mind when our club last dynoed no 04 Dodges were in attendance so I will use the numbers for the 03's we seen...



03Dodge-236. 2/438. 7(stock H/O automatic)

03Dodge-325. 8/685. 4(Bully-Dog Box)

03dodge-259. 1/484. 5(stock H/O 6spd)

03Dodge-199. 9-345. 4(stock Non-H/O Automatic)

03Dodge-261. 2/481. 5(stock H/O 6spd)

03Dodge-258. 0/486. 6(stock H/O 6spd)



So now after the numbers psycho-babble what have we learned now?. The numbers do not support your claim to the 99-chipped with exhaust(exhaust means squat in diesel performance) have less power than the stock 04 Dodge,UNLESS you purchased a Non-H/O automatic or a 5spd truck. Even the 03 Dodges in a stock configuration out HP and Torque a good "chipped" 99 Ford Powerstroke.



Now if your new truck is a Non-H/O automatic or 5spd truck,then I can understand it may be a bit laggy. If its a H/O automatic and it feels soft during the shifts expect that. Ma Mopar has been doing that to all vehicle's for years as they claim "the public doesn't like harsh up shifts" and designs the necessary amount of slippage to make them happy. My thought has been for years that slippage=early failure,but,who am I just a flunky who plays on the weekend not a designer like the fools at the factory,go figure.



As for places to buy boxes...

Well as you had a truck "chipped" you should know most of them already. Most all the big manufacturers make them and most all the big diesel shops sell them. Do a search here and you find all you need or contact Piers at PDR in the NW,Kieth(Rammin On) at Forest City Diesel in Missouri,Doug at Enterprise Engine Service in Ohio to name a few.



Hope this helps and I was not to lengthy or hard on ya as a newbie... ... ... ... . Andy

 

[dseabaugh]

Have you checked your gear ratios? If you read roadrunner transport's thread above yours, the idots had the wrong gears in the first truck he bought. I pull 22,000 ocassionally with my 2500 and 373 gears. When I pull in the 27,000 lb range I really notice the strain and could use lower gears. Doesn't say the truck won't run 70 -75 with that load, but I prefer to drive with lots of room under the pedal. Around 15,000 gcvw the truck doesn't even noticed anything is behind it.

 

[dan54s]

Thanks guys for your help. But "hammer" I beleave you about the dyno numbers but my ford with the same conditions [flat ground no wind] my ford would easaly pull 6 or 7 mph faster and would not loose as much speed going up small hills. Maby there is something wrong with it. My dodge is a 04. 5 with the cummins 600 and it does have 4:10 rear end I called the place where I bought my "chip" for my ford and they said they dont have anything out yet for the 2004. 5. I just wanted to know if any one had a 2004. 5 " 600 " and had a "chip" in it yet and how they liked it. My truck has 4000 miles on it also

 

[klenger]

Before you start bombing, consider two things.



1) There is a TSB to reflash the 600's. The reflash is to fix a hesitation problem with cold temps, but I think I have heard of better overall performance and fuel economy with it. I have not had mine done yet.



2) How many miles do you have on the truck? They start to run well after 10,000 miles, and continue to improve past 30K.



You are definitely towing heavy if your trailer is 22K.

 

[JJW_ND]

Pull same trailer same day....

We have four trailers setup exactly the same and get several chances a year to run them together. The trailers alone gross out at 12K loaded and run 8k empty ... same exact wind resistance loaded or empty.



I here it all the time from other drivers and even experince it myself with trucks I drive that some "SEEM" better or worse when running solo.



Only when you run together with several trailers up the same hills with the same wind conditions do you really get to put a truck in its proper place with power. We makes runs into MT and WY. Lots of interstate and mountains and highspeeds. It really helps sort out what power a truck makes.



I get to break in a new powerstroke this year which replaces my 2001 6sp Dodge. We already have a trip planned with one of our other good running Dodge 6sps, the only Duramax 6sp and this new Powerstroke 6sp. All out trucks are total stock and stay that way (Govt. Fleet). Last year the 2003 Duramax out pulled my 2001 Dodge when empty on the way out to WY. But on the way back loaded, it was a dead even contest.



jjw

ND

 

[KD7GYJ]

I test drove a pre March 600 dually 6 speed and it was a dog. I wanted to start looking for the remaining '04's and find one really quick.



Then last week, I spotted and new arrival, it was a 600 too, with 6 speed but manufactured in March. Man, I fell in love with it. Smooth, quick, powerful, really nice vehicle to drive. I was willing to shell out the clams, but it was a short bed and I am looking for a long bed. It was sweet to drive.



You may want to check back with your dealer and see if there are reflashes for your engine before bombing it and wiping out your warranty. Dodge should be able to take care of it.



Good luck and keep us posted.



Blair