Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) CALLING ALL EXPERTS - I need "Bombing" advice

[Devil Black Diesel]

This is my first day on the board and I'm looking for advice from all you "Mad Bombers". Here's my first post:



What I want to achieve with "Bombing": To gain as much horsepower as I can without affecting the RELIABLITY of my CTD daily driver.



My Truck: 2001 2500, Auto, 4WD, 4. 10’s, SLT, QC, Short Bed, 285/75/16’s, 87K – Bone Stock except for 2. 5” Skyjacker leveling kit!



My Profile: I live in Southern California (Sea level) and I drive about 40 miles a day both City and Freeway. I don’t tow anything and only 2% of the time I carry two motocross bikes in my bed. The other 98% of the time I have an empty truck with a Snug Top on my bed. I drive very mellow 90% of the time but occasionally some clown pulls up next to me in a rice burner or V-8 truck with a Flowmaster and looks at me like, “why the hell would you buy a diesel?”…. . and this is why I want to “Bomb” my truck. I want to show these clowns why I drive a diesel and leave them coughing in a cloud of black smoke!



After reading several threads on this board I’ve learned the four essential ingredients to “Bombing” are Gauges, Box, Injectors, and transmission upgrades. I just bought an Edge Comp (not installed yet) and I’m ready for some advice on Gauges, Injectors, and Transmissions.



My Questions for You:

1). What is the maximum horsepower I can achieve without affecting the reliability of my motor? 350hp? 375hp? 400hp?



2). What injector’s do you suggest for occasional drag racing and how much HP will I achieve when combined with the Comp? What Comp settings should I use?



3). At the HP level you answered for question #1, what Trans upgrades are absolutely necessary for reliability? Do I really need to spend $5000 on a full DTT with billet shaft etc. , or can I get away with less expensive upgrades?



4). Are there any other necessities besides Gauges, Comp, Injectors, & Trans upgrade?



5). Where in Southern California can I get this work done on my truck?



Keep in mind the only thing I know about diesels is they’re loud and they smell good! I want the Horsepower but I don’t want my truck to be breaking down every month!



Thanks in advance for your valuable feedback.

 

[JR2]

My Questions for You:

1). What is the maximum horsepower I can achieve without affecting the reliability of my motor? 350hp? 375hp? 400hp?



I have been running about 450 hp some time with no problems. There are plenty of 450 hp daily drivers out there. My truck still gets 19 on the highway and about 15 in town.



2). What injector’s do you suggest for occasional drag racing and how much HP will I achieve when combined with the Comp? What Comp settings should I use?



I would think something in the stage two range would be good, you could go as high as a 3 but you will need a bigger turbo for that. As for what level you use, that is up to you and your egt gauge. I run mine of level 3 most of the time, but find myself bumping it up to 4 quite often. Then again I drive on the highway with it off when I am just crusing around.



3). At the HP level you answered for question #1, what Trans upgrades are absolutely necessary for reliability? Do I really need to spend $5000 on a full DTT with billet shaft etc. , or can I get away with less expensive upgrades?



I have a full DDT transmission minus the billet shafts, I was told that as long as I was not pulling a big load or drag racing I "should" be okay. You can twist off an input shaft with a stock motor, but there are lots of guys running in the 400 hp range with stock shafts.



4). Are there any other necessities besides Gauges, Comp, Injectors, & Trans upgrade?



You will want to do something to your fuel system, there are lots of options. Bigger lines, do away with the banjo bolts and a different or second lift pump. You will want to do something with the intake side, tons of options You will probably need a turbo upgrade if you run injectors and a box, lots of options on that front too. The last thing I would do is straight pipe the truck or get a 4" exhaust.



5). Where in Southern California can I get this work done on my truck?



Do it yourself, none of it is that hard. You might also join the local TDR chapter in SoCal, maybe you could get a hand from one of them with the install.



Happy Bombing, hope your check book is in good shape as its going to get a workout.

 

[tractorface]

opinions galore

You have asked a very subjective question. I'll give you my opinion since we have the same goals. Take your time bombing. Go out and get a full set of gauges and install them, watch them when you drive and learn the patterns. Read a lot of posts with an open mind, remember we all talk about our stuff with slightly different viewpoints.



ok enough of that, heres my two cents

-start with a simple popular box and do not tap the pump wire until you are sure that is what you want. Power is addictive

-get your fuel system taken care of. stock one is inadequate

-Start getting exhaust andair in addressed. By now you gotta have more power

-my vp went up so i got a hot rod vp, power is way up. I GOTTA Have more now

-buy mach 3's nd a turbo to match9 since you know have a transmission that will take it)

-Add water meth and hang on cause enough is never enough. $$$$$ is all that seperates us from total lunacy.

I got it bad and its gettin worse, ""can't hold on much longer"(in my best Bruce Whayne voice)

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

If you are interested, There is a big diesel event this weekend at Willow Springs race track. There will be alot of the local So Cal Rattlin rams there.

To get be able to run the comp box on the higher levels. You will have to build the transmission. DTT is the hands down best at the highest levels of HP. More hi HP trucks run DTT than anybody else. Call Fred Swanson for the best transmission builder around. You will have to go to Pheonix to have it done. He will be able to get you everything you need for your truck. I would start with the transmission, and at the same time, guages. Then you will be able to hook up the comp box and will have plenty of power for a while. Then you can get a turbo upgrade and a set of injectors and can run all day at 450 hp no problem. If you want to kill some ricers, that is the setup and the power you will need.



Fred Swanson

www.desertdieselparts.com

623-910-9575



Hope this helps



Greg