Best Bombs for towing?

[DPelletier]

Hello all,



I've been out of the loop for a while and wondered what the latest concensus is on the best Bombs for towing. My 2003 305/555 NV5600 truck grosses out at around 19,000 - 20,000 lbs all loaded up now and I'm considering a little "pick me up" to restore power to previous levels when I had a smaller camper. Nothing radical, just a nice noticeable boost to help when towing up the 5-6% grades leaving town.

Truck is currently bone stock with 50,000 mi.



EGT's are a prime concern. It seems to me that the newer trucks are pushing the envelope already and a fueling box that I can't use due to high EGT's is useless to me. I don't want to upgrade the turbo unless absolutely necessary. So, enlighten me! Would an upgrade to a true 4" exhaust and a less restrictive muffler help to lower EGT's? Do different pressure/fueling boxes have varying effects on EGT's? Do I need to call Piers for a new/modded turbo? What boxes are best these days? I keep hearing about this Smarty box lately? Opinions? Where do you get them?



Thanks in advance and Hi to all the old timers that remember me!



Cheers,

Dave

 

[Wiredawg]

BD Tow Pro/Edge EZ

These are both good power enhancements. I have the BD tow pro that adds 65 HP, 125 ft lbs tq to my wife's truck. I have an Aeroturbine muffler and AFE mega cannon intake. She puts 349 RWHP. Nice power/tq curve. Never had any EGT problems. I have trans temp/EGT/boost guages.



I've only towed 12Klbs with her truck but I think yours will do fine. On all my trucks, I often drive by the EGT gauge, especially on grades.



Hope this helps

 

[Nate]

I read that topic and I was like, why does this guy want to tow bombs?



I build bombs for a living (USAF) and had work on the mind when I saw the post I guess.

 

[Slow Six]

I have a similar set up other than I am pulling more weight. I used an Edge EZ for a year or so and it gave the truck that little extra and worked well. I got talked into a Quad Xilleraider which had a lot more power. The Xilleraider is on the shelf now as I have had some serious problems with it and after two returns to Quad the engine was hard to start and when it did run it sounded like it wanted to come apart and also set off a lot codes. I am presently running the BD Xpower and after about 3 months I am very pleased with it The Xpower delivers nice power for towing and has excellent driveablity. As far as EGTs I am using the AFE Proguard 7 and the AFE torque tube. EGTs would hit 1350 and higher quite easily so I installed the boost elbow that came with the Xpower and the EGTs are quite manageable now. I have left the Xpower on level 2 as BD recommends a turbo upgrade for higher power settings. You are close to BD and I have found them to be quite helpful.

 

[wcjp]

Just did the airbox mod to my 06'. Reduced EGT's by 100deg while maintaining stock filtration. Cost was about $8.

 

[DPelletier]

I read that topic and I was like, why does this guy want to tow bombs?



I build bombs for a living (USAF) and had work on the mind when I saw the post I guess.

Too funny! Sorry, I'll try to be more clear next time.



Dave

 

[DPelletier]

Thanks guys,



I guess my plan will be some sort of cold air intake, a 4 inch downpipe, a less restrictive muffler and I'll probably call BD for a box of some sort. I had just heard of this "smarty" box so I was wondering what the scoop was with it.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[JRMora]

I have a similar set up other than I am pulling more weight. I used an Edge EZ for a year or so and it gave the truck that little extra and worked well. I got talked into a Quad Xilleraider which had a lot more power. The Xilleraider is on the shelf now as I have had some serious problems with it and after two returns to Quad the engine was hard to start and when it did run it sounded like it wanted to come apart and also set off a lot codes.

Gee, I have a very similar setup and have used the Quad Xilleraider now for almost 10,000 miles with no problems. Just came back from a 2000 mile trip (Albuq, NM to LA to Las Vegas to Albuquerque) at approx 22,000# combined with no problems. Averaged 11 mpg doing it. The Quad had worked wonders for me.



Towing with any box should mandate guages. I have them



I also have a PSM modded airbox, and a 4" MBRP exhaust.

 

[jltcasper3]

Yeah the smarty is a programmer. It's suppose to be bad a**. It has 9 diff power levels and the company who makes it claims it is 100% non detectable by the dealer. I don't know how it is with towing though. It seems reliable too. Visit www.madselectronics.com for more info.

 

[Sled Dog]

Thanks guys,



I guess my plan will be some sort of cold air intake, a 4 inch downpipe, a less restrictive muffler and I'll probably call BD for a box of some sort. I had just heard of this "smarty" box so I was wondering what the scoop was with it.



Cheers,

Dave

Before you buy something else, get up with someone and try the SMARTY!!

You will love it!

 

[JLovas]

I've only had my smarty for a couple of weeks and I haven't towed with it yet, but I'm quite impressed (looks like our pickups are pretty similar). Because I haven't towed with it, its difficult to discuss much along the lines of EGT's, but just driving empty I've noticed at least a 50* drop and the cool down time is SIGNIFICANTLY less. I'm looking forward to towing with it as I think the fuel curve/timing is well designed to keep the EGT's down.



I also like the fact that the smarty will check/clear codes (my smarty hasn't thrown any yet); I can change tire sizes and correct the speedo to compensate; and since its a programmer I can set up the power level and it stays there, where as with my TST, an employee of mine could get into my pickup, turn her up to 9/9 and melt my turbo in a half mile.



The only slight drawback to the smarty is that I feel the accelerator pedal is a little too sensitive, even on the 30 (lowest) hp setting, but as a driver, you get used to it pretty quickly.



All in all though, I'm quite pleased with the smarty and would recommend it. The 30 hp setting sounds small, but you would be impressed by how much more your engine pulls throughout the entire RPM range. Too tell you the truth, I'm scared to try anything more than the 90 hp settings. I need to upgrade my stock clutch first.

 

[DPelletier]

Sounds like the Smarty is worth checking out. Thanks guys.



Dave

 

[machinemover]

just my . 02... . I had a TST on my '03 ran great for 150,000 miles all tow 40' cargo trailer. Ran into a problem sent the box back and they gave me another for $50. Not bad! I now have an '06 and elected to go with an edge attitude just for a change , I must say, next truck, back to TST, much nicer box in my opinion.

 

[DocDetonancour]

My BD works and no egt issues. Good bump in the mpg also. Doc