bombing?

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questions for everyone out their? I'm ready to order my 1st diesel,sport,slt+ 4x4,5 speed but the question is... . is bombing worth the cost vs. voiding my warantee? I'm spending alot of $$$$34k for this truck. Does the truck really need improvement?

Frank

 

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<font color=blue>Thats something you will have to decide for yourself, no one can tell you "Yes" or "no" to that questions.

I would suggest getting your truck, driving it in its stock form for a while and see if you are satisfied with it. If you "want more" then BOMB's away!

Its really up to you to decide if you wanna keep your warrenty or or take your chances on BOMB'ing. The VA is a decent "stealth" upgrade but there are rumors of a "void sticker" being on the connector you need to pull? I have not verified this for myself.

Just keep reading here and gather as much information as you can and then hopefully you can make the best decsion for yourself.

Good luck on which ever path you choose.

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• <font color=blue>
• Eric D. Howard - #ad
  - BOMB'er! - #ad
  - TDR Member since April 8th, 2000, Rancho 9000 shocks
• 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 HD 4x4 SLT Auto Reg cab Cummins Turbo Diesel 4. 10 gear ratio LT265/75R/16 tires
• Patriot Blue Pearl Coat, Agate interior, Leather seats EVERY option, Silencer Ring AWOL, Trans Go Shift Kit
• JRE 4" Exhaust, "Hot" PowerEdge, Autometer UltraLite Gauges (EGT, Custom Boost, transmission temp), K&N Airfilter</font>

<font size=-2>

[This message has been edited by KatDiesel (edited 08-25-2000). ]

 

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IMHO, stick with the mods that won't void the warranty. I would consider an exhaust brake, boost and pyro guages essential. Seeing how you have not ordered yet, go with the six speed if you can.

 

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I would like to add my $. 02. I believe you should drive the Ram for a while before you decide, you may find it's all you ever wanted and more. If after driving it you think you need more, you have a lot of options at your disposal, some of which are just now being developed. Of course you could say "Damn the warranty, BOMBS AWAY" #ad
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Whichever way you go, right here on this site is where you're going to find honest answers to your questions.

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96 2500 4x4 5spd 3. 54 grs,#10 TST plate,AFC spring kit,16 cm turbo,CUSTOM 4" exhaust, (turbo to tail),K&N RE-0880 filter,TST guages,370HP injectors,3800 rpm governor spring kit, Mcleod dual disc clutch(street),305/70r16 Goodyear Wrangler MT tires

 

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Frank, this is a common question I think alot of people have asked themselves. I know from my point of view these trucks are near perfect stock. I drove my 94 for 4 and a hahf years and did zero to the motor and new it couldn't get any better than that. "THEN" I drove the monster 24v and knew that miracles did happen, it was better than my 12v. You can and probably will upgrade just because your hanging around on this site. My only advise to you is to turn your computer off right now and forget this site even exists or your doomed to BOMB!! #ad
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Regards Pete

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99'3500,quad cab,4X4,a/t
3:54,all the right packages!PROPER VALVEMENT

 

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yes! Turn your computer off and don't look back... I know how a crack head feels, enough is only good enough until you get used to the added power, then it's not enough anymore. At first I was giddy with the TST ECM, a few months go by and I figured what the heck, I get that 4" JRE system so if I ever add more power I'll be ready, not to mention the cool sound it makes. Just about that time I picked up a set of RV injectors from TST. I had them for awhil and tried a set of DDIIIMs'. Took them out and put back in the RV injectors. A few months ago I added a PowerEdge. Again I was giddy with the feeling of power. Opps, the clutch is slipping, Installed a new bigger more heavy duty clutch. Yeah baby now this thing really hooks up. Very cool...

Guess what... I'm now waiting for the UPS man to bring me another PE with the HOT #3.
76k miles with out a stumble.
After reading all that I must say that I need help... . I'm a sick sick man... .

On the other end is my cousin, he has a bone stock 95' 2500, 4x4, reg. cab long bed . He thinks I'm out of my mind. I can't even get him to turn the fuel up a little on his.
He's afraid something will break.
go figure.

Mike

 

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Mike... i feel your pain, when i 1st installed my Blue Box... . i said to myself "self lets keep the seetings low" i drove around with it set at 15% for awhile... then that got boring so i uped it to 30% with the Hx-40 upgrade. While i was at the local street racing wars last saturday night i pulled up and powerbraked and smoked um for a block. I pulled over to the side of the road and adjusted the jumpers to 40% ... . I might have to seek professional help since i want twin turbos now... . JB

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99 Black/Agate, Quad,Long bed,4x4, SLT,Auto,HX-40 16cm2 & ATS Exhaust manifold treated to Jet-Hot 2000(Gray),DD stage 3 injectors,4 wire Blue Box,"True" 5 inch Jet-Hot Coated exhaust from turbo to Tailpipe(Over the Axle),Borla Shoot-out Muffler,Suncoast converter, BD valve body and pressure-loc,Mag-Hytec trans pan,Amsoil ATF-4,Mobil Super Delvac 1300,fuel line up-grade from lift pump to filter and from filter to injection pump,Auto meter Ultra lite gauges:Boost,EGT,Fuel Pressure,Trans Temp, Valentine 1, EZ-pass

 

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Here is a sad story that demonstrates the addictive power of bombing.
1. A nice new 215 hp Ram was just the thing--good power and mileage. No gas pig feels right, even that gas guzzling 300 hp V10.
2. Hmmm, lets get that TST torque plate and put it on the shelf. That retired guy might be pretty old and die or the little company could go out of business. Good idea just to have it around in case it's not available later.
3. Wonder how hard it would be to put that plate in. Might be worth testing it just a bit.
4. Might as well get that 16 cm2 housing to free up the exhaust. A bit of power and lower egt. Ram feels a bit weak and needs more.
5. Let's try low restriction exhaust and how about that experimental TST plate. Need to get back that "push" that has been missing for a while. Fiddle around a bit with torque plate R&D.
6. Ooopppss. Clutch slipped in 5th. Ohhh, nnooooo. Nothing available. Work with a couple companies to develop clutches. Really stressful not being able to play.
7. Ram feels a bit tired, even sickly, and with the new clutch, a bit more torque plate is just the thing. And work on that exhaust a bit.
8. Not again. Gotta get more clutch. Head porting because even though sick, the egt's are up there.
9. Gotta put in a real torque plate to work with the new clutch; this Ram won't get outta its way. Real sickly. OK, new clutch is holding, just gotta refine the fueling a bit.
10. Wonder if those Diamond B injectors would help the low end. Ya know, the Ram is real sick starting out with those oversize tires in 2nd gear. Ahhh, better now. More like the power and response from the old days. Nice to have that old feeling back.
11. Egt really needs more attention. How about the HX40? Piers came through with just what was needed--a bit bigger and a wastegated 18. 5 so boost won't get too high. Hadda go to 4" exhaust to match the turbo.
12. Those governor springs from Piers are real nice but gotta watch that rpm. "Tapped" the pedal in 3rd. Wow, more power than would be expected from just a turbo. Must be fully flexing those injectors with the added airflow!
13. Oooohhh nnnooooo. Only one good gear. Tires fry in 2nd and clutch fries in 4th and 5th. Like being on ice. Ram feels "OK" in 3rd though. Need a "decent" clutch.
14. Seemed like forever to break in that clutch. OK, now all the gears work. Ram feels almost like it "should. "
15. Wonder about playing with that P7100. It's still stock inside, and that can't be right. Ram does seem to have gotten kinda tired and sickly. Just ho-hum.
16. Guess its time to "touch up" that fueling curve just a bit. Don't think the egt is a problem, well, yet. Nothing has broken, so power level is obviously low--safe to try something to get this Ram up to snuff.

There you are--16 steps to end up with a poor old sickly Ram. Purely fiction, of course.


[This message has been edited by Joseph Donnelly (edited 08-26-2000). ]

 

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No, there is no need to BOMB.
I bought my truck to pull things (due to my knowledgeable friends advise). I hadn't even driven one.
Man, these diesel trucks are powerfull and fun to drive.
I join the TDR and learned the engine is down rated to protect the drive train.
Hmmm, boxes, injectors lots of stuff to make it do what it is suppose to do.
I bought a big fifth wheel.
The warranty on the drive train expired.
I bought some injectors (but why get RV injectors when for a bunch more $$ I could get DDIIs and a module and not look back).
I haven't looked back and am very happy with this one mod!
Oh, yeah, I put in a 4" exhaust but really don't need it.

No, unless you just want to have a lot of fun, there is no NEED to mess with the truck.
When I'm out on the road talking to folks, it is rare to find a bombed truck.
Heck, all the other stuff you have to buy to get the truck up to snuff can break you!

 

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I compromised - I got the ETH - a very mild "factory" bomb. Pure $$ wise, I could have gotten more power by starting with the base engine and then doing after market mods, but I wanted everything to be "matched" and figured the ETH would have the best new offerings from Cummins, a clutch to match the torque, etc etc.
I'm happy with the power, but considering the 275 injectors just for a little extra mpg. OK, so, I'd probably enjoy the power too - sometimes I still downshift to 5th to pass on the two lane.
I think the question to ask yourself is this: Is the truck your main hobby? We all spend lots of $$$ on our main hobby, and get pleasure doing it. But if the truck is just a means to an end, then no, you don't have to spend money to make it a good truck. Stock is very, very good.

P. S. - I agree, get the 6 speed. There are some reports of 3rd gear clash (I've got a mild one), but the 5 speed owners I know are complaining about the gear spacing. Also, I think the most recent offerings have a larger output shaft, and should be even more reliable than the previous generation of manuals.

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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, Leer Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, Psychotty Air

[This message has been edited by HC (edited 08-26-2000). ]

 

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Frank, Here is another story. This forum is full of them. I put the Pac-brake and Gages on a year after I got the truck. I wanted the brake for towing use and the gages just to monitor the engine. This last May I went to Minden with my new 27" fifth wheel. I died on every upslope, I got 10 mpg for the trip down there. I was not a happy camper. So the TST plate went in and Bruce tampered with the wastegate. I went home thru northern California into eastern Oregon and eastern Washington and never had to come out of 5th gear except for EGT considerations. I got 13 mpg going home. I have since put on the 16cm2 housing to cool things down a bit but I do not plan to make any other changes under the hood. I believe I have what I want and I made these changes to the engine after about 78K was on the counter. Everyone has their reasons, thanks for letting me share mine.
I have heard great things about the 24V engines and I'm sure you will enjoy many miles of pure driving pleasure. Rgdz Dave

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96 2500 4x4 5sp 3. 5 gears TST#6 16 cm2 Geno's Combo Gage Pac Brake Aux tank 15K 5er hitch
HF/VHF/UHF mobile KG7HD