Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Adding TST Remote to Powermax1

[BigMo]

I have searched and searched but I cannot find a thread to answer this question: <I>If you add a TST Remote to a Powermax level 1 (it has the "phone jack" on the back), will the box automatically adjust to become a PM3 adjustable or will it stay as a PM1?</I>





I am asking because I can purchase the remote for $100. 00 and I have found a PM1 for a good price.



I would be interested to hear from anyone having experience with the TST boxes and with the Remote in particular . . . especially any H. O. owners!



Thanks folks.

 

[Six_Man_Diesel]

I wouldn't think so, but since it has the phone jack it leaves a possibility I suppose. I would just give TST a call and see.

 

[JNeiman]

I have a PWRMX 3 on my 2000 3500 and it is a real nice upgrade. I do have the remote, but I believe you need the 3 to have the remote. Anyways, you get 9 or 10 different levels and supposedly, each increase is 15hp and 40lbs of torque. My truck does have the six speed, even though its not a HO, and on level 9 i can chirp 3rd, thats with a daully with a slide in dump box too. Low end is not all that impressive, but it builds a lot of boost very fast. It is a great towing box too because it is not a very aggressive timing box. I usually run on level 5 too and that seems to do every thing I need. Its a great box and worth the money for the remote. I recommend it for sure.

 

[Sean Flanagan]

I agree about this box being the best for uphill towing but only if you have the remote with gauges and setpoints. You can set the EGT max to 1350 and just floor it when pulling a hill. The PM3 takes care of the rest. No more drving by the pyro.



The TST box doesn't modify timing, which doesn't make that much difference anyway

 

[jjohn]

Don't some guys "stack" TST boxes with the EZ box for the timing?

 

[BigMo]

Thanks for your input guys.



I hope to have my new box, new remote, and gauges (which are backordered . . sigh) in before Thanksgiving! I'm looking forward to our next time out with the fiver.



I guess I'm a little concerned about EGTs when towing, but then, I guess that's what gauges are for, right? Besides, if I have too much heat, then that means I need something like a BHAF, maybe a new exhaust (five inch on e-bay for $365!!!), or even a new turbo housing.



Dang, seems like one thing leads to another . . . :-laf

 

[Six_Man_Diesel]

I was simply amazed at what the 4 inch system did for my truck, just added it 2 days ago, dropped egts by 150-200 degrees no joke. As far as intake goes, I just have a drilled box with a K&N, EGT's are not a problem while empty with the PM on 9 like it was with the stock strait pipe.

 

[kdw75]

I have a PMax 2 and I called TST asking about upgrading and they told me I could upgrade to the PMax 3 using the jack on the back and plugging in the remote for $100. They said that way I wouldn't have to send in my box.



Keith

 

[BigMo]

how about 275 injectors with the PM3 adjustable?

Well, the box/remote, gauges are almost in. I also have added the Wildcat Max Flow fuel system.



My big decision NOW is whether to order 275 injectors on top of the box. I talked to TST and they confirmed that the PM1 with the remote basically turns into a PM3 adjustable, but they also said that adding the 275 injectors would be a doulbe edged sword: increased power, but increased heat that would necessitate me dialing back on the box when towing.



Any thoughts or experiences with the TST PM3 adjustable and 275 injectors, especially in a heavy towing situation?? Note my sig: I've got the HO version.

 

[Ross]

PM3 COMP

Mo:



I have PM3 Competition version, as well as DD-IIs. I had 275s for a while, but weren't very happy with them, other than the small mileage increase.



With the DD-IIs, I run my PM-3 on "0" when towing. I pulled a large backhoe last night about 90 miles over rolling hills, loaded on a tandem dual trailer. My guess is gross weight about 20K. Truck pulled everything at 70mph on cruise control.



TST will tell you that if you get injectors AND one of their boxes, say bye-bye to your clutch. I didn't believe them, but after the DD-IIs, my stock clutch would slip in 4th and 5th gears (tires slipping in 3rd!).



Get the adjustable box, it's great, but I wouldn't go through the trouble of installing 275s. The increase is about 20% of what the DD-IIs will do (my experience, my opinion). They do smoke like a freight train, though. At least until the boost comes on.

 

[BigMo]

Thanks Ross.



The reason I'm contemplating adding injectors is that I'm overdue for valve adjustment and my mechanic says he'll pop new injectors in as part of the valve adjust . . . no charge.



Seems like 275s would give a nice little kick to the already (reportedly) awesome TST box.



Anybody else?

 

[kdw75]

Well, my truck has the PMax 2 and DD III injectors as well as the reflashed ECM from TST and I would get about 46psi of boost. I don't pull anything too heavy but I do pull a 2,000 lb trailer with a 6,000 lb mini dozer on it and I have no problem at all doing 80 on the steepest of interstate grades in Missouri. The highest temps I see at highway speed are about 1000. You just have to be careful when accelerating quickly, that is when the temps come up fast. I do have straight 4" exhaust and a K&N filter. I had the 275s a long time ago and wasn't impressed with them. They were my first upgrade back in '98 and they only upped my boost about 4 psi.



Keith

 

[Sean Flanagan]

BigMo,



I have to TST PM3 adjustable with 275's and feel it is an ideal combination for towing. However, I have a 98. 5 (not HO) and I use my truck at higher altitudes (5000-12000ft) where the rules change considerably for heat and smoke management. I tried other bigger injectors (DDII's and DDIII's) and all they did was smoke a lot and made me use my box at a lower setting (if not at zero). The bigger injectors made the smoke and heat unmanageable. The TST box had trouble de-fueling to keep the EGT under the preset (I have it at 1300). Honestly, I can't tell any power difference with the DDIII's on level 9 versus the 275's on level 9.



Yeah, the smoke was a little fun at first, but after a while it got to be just plain annoying. Besides, smoke is just wasted fuel.



Oh yeah, DDIII's or II's will render your cruise control stupid if you are unloaded, even with the TST box off. But that's my real life experiences, with my truck, the way I use it. Your results my vary.

 

[BigMo]

Thanks Keith and Sean.



Everything . . . PM3, Remote Adjustable Box, Wildcat MaxFlow, and Gauges . . . is now hooked up (EXCEPT the Boost Elbow). I can hit 1200 degrees in a snap! running empty and just getting on it going down the expressway (on setting 9).



So YES, I can now testify that a PM1 with the adjustable box becomes a PM3 as long as the original Powermax box has the telephone jack in the back.



My diesel tech guy said I needed to get bigger exhaust as my next step to cool the engine (I have stock intake and exhaust). The folks at TST tell me that they haven't seen much improvement (if any) using the aftermarket air boxes. They suggested using the stock box with a better air filter.



So I came home and told my wife . . . she just looked at me with a blank stare.

 

[Sean Flanagan]

It's a Diesel thing... She wouldn't understand!



An EGT of 1200 is nothing to worry about, just don't go much above 1300 for a long period of time. In fact, a quick spike to even 1600 won't hurt anything, as long as you are only there for a sort time (measured in seconds). I've buried my pyro past the 1400 mark hundreds of times count and havn't fried anything yet (175k miles).



A quick fix that gets you 75% of what a new exhaust system gets... Loose the muffler! It costs next to nothing.



What the heck is a Wildcat Maxflow?

 

[BigMo]

Originally posted by Sean Flanagan

What the heck is a Wildcat Maxflow?

Sean, Wildcat Diesel sells a fuel line kit that replaces the dinky stock lines and banjo bolts with some real cool pieces. Take a look here: Wildcat Diesel. Click on Dodge Performance, then click on Fuel Systems. Half-way down the page, you will see the Max Flow system.



My tech guy opened the box from Wildcat and said "Wow, that is HIGH TECH". He guessed the price within five dollars of the actual cost. He was impressed!



It did take him a few hours to put it on, though he is very particular with his craftsmanship.



If you talk to Rod Snaith, tell him Gary from Atlanta says hi. He delivered on my gauges and this fuel system. If Rod tells you he's going to do something, I think you can believe him (he sent me a substitute gauge until a back-ordered FP gauge came in . . . no charge). Great customer service.