A couple questions as I now belong somewhere again

[jerryrigg]

I now have the feeling of belonging somewhere again... I joined TDR to learn more about the Cummins as I have been working on installing one in a Ford. . Needless to say the Ford guys hate me now... Anyways I'm looking for parts etc for "Cummins" for the Ford on the web next thing I know I'm $30K poorer. Just got me a '01 3500 in mint condition, someone really stupid pawned it in Vegas to gamble and lost. This thing pulls like a train, why I ever messed with the old Fords I don't know, So I guess I'm one of "you" guys now.



I know with the Ford the "1st" improvement should be upgrading the exhaust to 4". What does the "jury" say here for the Cummins, do I start with a 4" exhaust or do you folks recommend starting elsewhere? I noticed a thread about the K&N filters being ?bad? for the Cummins, I've ran them on Fords for 12 years with no problems. Can someone provide a little more insight to why they may/may not be bad for the Cummins?



'01 Dodge 3500 Quadcab 4x4 24V Cummins

'97 Ford F-350 Crewcab Powerstroke

'93 Ford F-350 Crewcab 4x4 7. 3 Turbo IDI

'91 Ford F-250 4X4 7. 3 IDI

 

[Rob Thomas]

Hey Jerry,



Glad you seen the light, and bought a Dodge Cummins!

And welcome to the TDR, it's a great place to be!



You can read fer yerself on the K&N, click here.....

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...id=40327&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

As far a a first mod, I left the stock exhaust alone fer awhile, with the exception of removing the muff. , even with a bunch of BOMB's on, it seemed to be enough.



If it was me, the first BOMB would be gauges, including FUEL PRESSUSE. Then maybee a fueling box, or injectors. Good luck with your truck!



Later, Rob

 

[BK]

hey congrates on your good find... you gain, sorry to say but someone else's loss.





myself, I'm in the anti K&N camp for use on the CTD. I've run them on gassers, no complaints... but I wont on the CTD. I was around and lurking when they started on the BHAF idea (don't remember who was the 1st one to find the particular part number), which I say was in the right direction and a great idea.



Why?



The CTD is a large air pump. It's uses massive amounts of air. The K&N allows more air to flow by having larger gaps inbetween the filiments of the filter element. To help trap more particles since the filter isnt as dense... . the K&N use oil instead, so it acts like fly paper. Which at the WOT and the volume of air and with the Turbo... the CTD can suck the oil off the filter, loosing the protection and one of the "filtering elements".



Plus since the oil retaines the dirt. . if you then rip the oil from the filter,,,, you now have a clot of crap heading down through your turbo and into your engine.



The stock filter has a foam linear as another stage of filter.



The BHAF uses a filter designed by Cummins/Fleetguard to work on a CTD. It's designed for this envirnment.

Why all the fuss over the air filter... . to get more air into the charge for more power and cooler EGT.

So you either need a less restrictive filter (the K&N) (but less restrictive means it lets more other things through too)... or you need to reduce the air volume through any given point of the filter to reduce restrictions and surface tension to the air flow... in other words find more air filter square inch area. The BHAF does that.



I've read nothing but good things about going to a 4" exhaust. It's helps the stock trucks a bit... helps you get more out of every step of you bombing. (once mine rots out... 4" is getting put in)

It' seems it's worth to spend a bit more on the more expensive 4" SS kits from what I've read here. Seems the cheaper kits have RPMs that they get "howls" at. The more expensive kits don't.

There was a thread not to long ago about the difference 4" kits. Do a search on it.



Hope my $. 02 helps... again it's all IMHO.

 

[Ethdee]

Welcome to the TDR! I always consider the TDR the best $35 I spend every year. There's a lot of good information here, and some fun once in a while.



I can't say I've done much with my truck, but I've sure enjoyed reading a lot of information posted by people I trust.



I believe the first thing you should do is install gauges. For an '01, I'd recommend EGT, Fuel Pressure, Boost, and Transmission temperature.



The reason for the fuel pressure gauge is that many people have had problems with the transfer (lift) pump, and that can lead to problems with the injection pump. A fuel pressure gauge is cheap insurance.



If you want more power, I'd recommend one of the timing boxes, and, as Rob said, remove the muffler. It gets a bit louder, but you will see a bit of an EGT drop. And if you didn't have the gauges, you wouldn't know! I have the feeling there's not a huge difference between a 3" without muffler and a 4" with. Some people say that you don't really need a 4" exhaust until you get up around 350 horsepower. I think they sound better than my 3" sans muffler. I may get one just for the sound.



Before you get much wilder than a timing box, you probably will need to spend some money on the transmission. It seems it just can't take much more than the ample stock output of our trucks. There are a number of vendors that are mentioned in these pages that provide a top-notch package.



As you know, any changes you make to your truck is food for the warranty-voiders.



If you tell us what you want out of your truck, or what you are going to use it for, there are many that will contribute ideas for your consideration.



Again, welcome aboard! I hope you enjoy your truck and the TDR for many years to come.



Jim



P. S. Check out the chat room some evening around 9:00 EST. It gets pretty lively sometimes!