basic mods

[DZehr]

First of all, love the CTD. Had a 1/2 ton w/ 318 and spent half the paycheck on gas. Drank it. New salesman asks why i want diesel? Drop in fuel bill more than covers new truck payment!!



Anyway, want to do some basic mods to my 02 HO. Im way new to diesel and scared to mess it all up. can i get new injectors without voiding warranty? If not, what about gauges? I want to learn more about my CTD. Love it for towing. Just finished trip into north PA and ruled the mountains. like it was made to pull!!

 

[Amianthus]

I might as well chime in.

Here's the deal. There are many mods. Some will get you outragious power, some are milder. But anyway you slice it, if you start to monkey with the engine you are risking your warranty. It's that simple. Even though the dealer has to prove that the mods caused any damage to deny a warranty claim. There are places out there that will deny your claim for any reason they can. I have a great dealer that understands what I have done and we have no warranty issues. But I consider myslef lucky.



My advice, first get gauges. Then if you want a box, get one that can be removed without a trace of it being there (Edge EZ). If you are your own warranty station, then do what you will. I will say this, you will be satisfied with your work if something goes wrong. But you won't be satisfied paying for repairs from a denied warranty claim.



One more word of advice, find some TDR members around you and get to know them. They can give you great advice as to what to do, what not to do, how to do it, and where to get it from. Most of these guys also have the mechanical expertese to help you out of most situations. Lotsa luck.

 

[me4osu]

In my opinion

Start off with a fuel pressure gauge, Bombed or Un-Bombed that is a must for watching the health of our crummy lift pumps. You can install it down low as you won't look at it all of the time. Also, it will give you an opportunity to poke around the dash and get to know the layout.



Also, get a manual. I installed my gauges before I bought a manual. Turns out, they require you disconnect the batteries before doing any work under the dash. This is because you might set off the air bags, if your head is right in front of the wheel, dirt-nap time. I never did set them off, but better safe than sorry.

 

[Jeff Knight]

DZehr, Where are you located? I live just south of Harrisburg. PM me and will talk about your mods. I plan some for my truck as well. Jeff

 

[Bigsaint]

Alot of good info posted already. Bottom line is that you should probably avoid any fueling enhancements if the warranty issue really concerns you. If you are slightly concerned, and willing to pay the price if they discover your mods, try the Edge EZ box, after installing gauges and be sure to at least check your FP with a temporary gauge and WHILE driving. A permanent FP gauge is your best bet for the long haul as your pump maybe fine the day you check it and not so fine the next day when the gauge is not in place. I'm not sure about the HO 02's clutches, but the 01. 5's are pretty useless when much above stock TQ. Just something else to consider.



I'd put the gauges in first, get a baseline and then make a decision. I found that my HO ran much cooler egt wise with the EZ than when stock.



Scott W.