Best mod for an '04

[CDyksman]

What chip/box/downloader does everyone think is the best to put on an '04 CTD?

 

[Diesel Power]

i guess i'll go first, cp3!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Diesel Power]

it really depends on what power level you want, remember that the more you want the more you will have to do !!!

 

[MStaggs]

I am interested in the same thing.

It would be cool if somone would do a menu or a sort of upgrade "map".

List the first things to do, the benefits and risks, and then the next one, and next one, etc.

 

[CDyksman]

I am looking for options like the edge Juice has, adjustable, gauges, easy to install. I dont really want to do much more then a chip and probably a HD clutch. I tell myself that i dont need to have a ton more power, and that i really like the idea of improved mileage. However, that will probably change with the first mod. Thanks

 

[CDyksman]

By the way what is a cp3, and how does it work?

 

[JayWm]

The cp3 is the injection pump. He is saying that because he is hawking a new version of it. Hawking it a little too much I might add



With regard to adding power, it really depends on what you want to do with the power? Tow, race, sled pulling, smoke shows... Different boxes for different needs. You have asked a very open, yet loaded question. You will get many, varied responses on what is the best option. There are alot of good boxes, but you will want one suited to your intended use/needs.



As far as benefits, well more power for one, perhaps better fuel econony,



Risks, first would be your warranty. There is no such thing as a power mod that is covered by warranty. Again, this is a can of worms. In short most companies tell you to remove your boxes before going to the dealer. A lot of guys around here say "you are your own warranty station" after you add power. I think Edge sums it up best:

Q: WILL INSTALLING THE DODGE EZ VOID MY FACTORY WARRANTY?

A: While the answer is straightforward from a legal standpoint, we also want to

educate our customers (and after-market consumers) on some industry realities

and offer some common sense precautions to minimize your risk.

Consumers of aftermarket products are protected by The Federal Magnusson-

Moss Warranty Act. The Act states that if something breaks on your car and you

take it in for warranty repair, the dealer must honor your warranty unless they can

prove that whatever modifications you have added to your car actually caused

the problem.

While as a consumer you have strong legal protection regarding your vehicle’s

warranty, there is also a practical reality that different automotive manufacturers

and dealers have greatly varying views on aftermarket products, in particular

those that produce horsepower, such as performance enhancement chips,

modified intake manifolds, or aftermarket exhaust systems. There are dealers

and manufacturers out there that will use the presence of a horsepower upgrade

to void your vehicle’s warranty. They will do this regardless of whose product you

are using. Any aftermarket company that does not acknowledge this is

misleading you.

The bottom line is that while the law protects the consumer and provides for

enforcement of the warranty, it is very difficult for most people to hire an attorney

and fight a voided warranty. Edge recommends that you always disconnect

and/or remove any performance device or programmer before you take

your vehicle to a dealer for any service, in order not to interfere with

Diagnostic equipment.



Additional risks would be your transmission or clutch. Injectors can fail when subjected to higher pressures, the pressure relief valve is known to fail if rail pressure is increased too much. If you have the intercooler with plastic tanks they can blow from too much boost.



If you add power, you really should add egt, boost and if running an auto, a transmission temp gauge. These are the mininum gauges you want.

 

[MStaggs]

Thanks Jay!

For me, its my daily driver AND I tow an enclosed trailer on race weekends.

SO basically I am looking for all around power AND civilty.



Side note: I purchased the boost, egt and trans temp guages you recommended. Where can I safely install the trans temp sensor on the 48re?

 

[JayWm]

Thanks Jay!

For me, its my daily driver AND I tow an enclosed trailer on race weekends.

SO basically I am looking for all around power AND civilty.



Side note: I purchased the boost, egt and trans temp guages you recommended. Where can I safely install the trans temp sensor on the 48re?

MStaggs. could you fill in your sig w/ your truck info. It's helpful to other users when answering your question.



I can't help ya on where to install the transmission temp gauge, being that I have a six shooter. There has been alot of discussion of where to install. Best advice I can give ya, is ask, research, call the major transmission players (ATS, DTT, Blumenthal's, BD, Goerend) and then decide for yourself.



Adding usable power to tow without getting egt's too high can be a challenge without spending $$$ to change alot of other things.



Rather than naming the brands, perhaps an understanding of how boxes make power will help you decide. Basically you need more fuel and air to get power.

To add fuel you either a: increase duration of injection, or b: increase the pressure that the fuel is injected at. Or you can do both. Timing advance helps with fuel mileage and cooling egt's. A lot of people including myself (I'm chicken) do not wish to raise fuel pressure. Others have no issue with it.

If I were to do a box on my truck it would be one that does duration, timing and boost fooling. My truck has a boost limiter that begins to defuel the truck if it sees too much boost, it cuts power



If your gonna add power and tow with an auto, you need to understand the ramifications of doing this. Your auto will only take so much power before bad things happen. Even moderate power will have effects on it. Too much power to a 6 spd will cause bad things too.



Doug Leno did a killer write up in TDR issues 47-49 about adding power to the 03-04 305/555 motors. Basically what he says is that there is a small amount of room to add power before running into issues. The stock turbo is good to about 24psi of boost, beyond that the charge air gets too hot. Putting a full 4" exhaust helps alot too. Eventually you need to think about a bigger turbo, and intercooler. It boils down to how much power do you want vs. how much you want to spend vs. how much you're willing to risk damaging the truck. I think you can make decent power for several hundred bucks. But to make decent power that is really usable, especially when towing you almost have to think about a turbo, intercooler, and exhaust to cool off egt's and keep charge air temps down. With an auto you need to consider other mods to it as well. Many suggest doing the transmission upgrades first, and this is not bad advice at all. Pay now or pay a lot later. So how much of your money have I spent???



Jay



p. s. welcome to TDR

 

[MStaggs]

I think you have spent most of it LOL

I will try to figure out the signature thing.

 

[SHyans]

I'm kind of a chicken too but I wanted to spice my rig up a bit without going nuts and risking breaking anything. See my sig below. 90% of the time I drive like an old lady (Diesel $2. 49 but better than $3. 25 last summer!) and my Edge Juice at low settings. Once in a while, like today, I upped it to 3 qand 4 and blew some soot... . No burn outs, I don't want to fry the transmission. I think the chip, intake and exhaust greatly increased the responsiveness even a low settings and normal driving. When I get some extra cash I'd like to do the TC. I'd like to think I've mod'ed, but conservatively.

 

[Diesel Power]

I am looking for options like the edge Juice has, adjustable, gauges, easy to install. I dont really want to do much more then a chip and probably a HD clutch. I tell myself that i dont need to have a ton more power, and that i really like the idea of improved mileage. However, that will probably change with the first mod. Thanks

the edge juice w/ attitude is a exellent choice and yes i reccomend the clutch too. the juice has plenty of power if you want it, its got 5 levels to chose from on the fly. the attitude monitor is nice to its got almost every thuing you will need , except fuel pressure, but if your just cruiseing then the guage may not be for you. the guage is for keeping an eye on your lift pump when pressure drops below a certain point its telling you that the pump is not giving you the pressur you need and is likely to fail. :-laf good luck

 

[KBaucom]

I would go with the juice W/ attitude it is perfect for what you are wanting. easy adjustment in cab it is easy low settings for good fuel milage and at the push of a button you can have fun with more power.