Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Did I order the wrong injectors?

[John - K5AWO]

I did one of those "never do things". Couldn't sleep, got up at 03:30 and stumbled around a bit and decided to finish up ordering a couple of items.

Along with some other stuff, like a new VP44 from Midwest Fuel Injection (super nice folks by the way), I clicked on the Bosch 300 HP injectors.

Are those the same as the RV275's ?? My intent is to get better fuel economy and maybe a little more HP. Just enough hp to keep the transmission from doing that double shifting/hunting up/down that is so irritating.

The truck is bone stock except for a Dodge Hi-Performance ECM that came off of a 2000 stick shift truck. That ECM gave me a "seat-of-the-pants" 25 hp because the difference is noticable. It also has the Van Aakin module on it. Either of those two options seems to produce about the same results if used singly. Together, the truck seems to perform very acceptably for everyday use.

The truck is used for city driving 99% of the time. I pull a trailer maybe once or twice a year, and even then, it is casually and never in a hurry. I don't try to fly over hills with a load and downshift out of OD if the truck starts to bog down any. The travel trailer is a 1978 34' Avion @ 8,000# loaded 3-axle.

So, my question is. Did I get the right injectors for better everyday fuel economy? Will there be a downside or detrimental effect to the Bosch 300 hp injectors in a stock truck?

I am under the impression that I should install a boost elbow to let the turbo add more air to go with the bigger injectors to keep the EGTs under 1200. My reading lets me believe that the elbow should be adjusted for about 30 inches of boost. Is that the right value?

I don't want to be blowing up the transmission. No money in the budget to replace that, and with that in mind, I will not be a "full throttle" balls to the wall type of driver. never have been anyway.

I am installing a full set of gauges (thanks Genos), a new VP44 (all bad codes on mine, but still running) because of dead pedal, etc... and a new crank position sensor (just cause it's easy to get to now).

Genos sent me a Vulcan relocation kit so the lift pump is being moved to the tank. I would do away with the Carter pump, but I happen to have 3 brand new ones on hand.

Looking for some good insight here.
Thanks guys.

 

[Thomas]

. . . Are those the same as the RV275's ?? . . .

Yes - Same part number. The linked shows the RV275: http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2987/rv275cdr4.jpg

 

[Boondocker]

I ran the EZ+RV275 for a couple of years with a stock clutch and regard that combo as a very respectable towing setup. I assume the Van Aken does boost fooling? You mentioned a "boost elbow", which is for a HX-35 typically found on standard transmission CTDs. I would guess that your automatic truck has a HY-35. The HY would use something called a J-hook to override the wastegate, don't know if those are settable.



Good on ya for getting gauges, and about time too.



The RV275 injectors add about 40 HP to the rear wheels, maybe less if your torque converter eats some of that. Driving conservatively as you state that you do, you should be fine without transmission upgrades. But I think you're at the limit. Don't know if you'll really see improved MPG, but you should be able to feel the power increase. That's good thing



Neil

 

[Hendricks]

my 99 had an hx-35 no j hook. I think the hook and the hy is something that came on the later years.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I don't know which turbo is on the truck. It is in San Diego right now. My son is a diesel mechanic and he drove it home to do the work for me. He put the new VP44 on this morning and reported back to me that it is definitely a lot stronger than it was before. Also, all of the codes went bye bye. I am sure happy about that.

He is going to drive it a couple of days before he installs the RV275 injectors so that he has a good feel for how much each step makes a difference.

One thing he and I are discussing is that the torque convertor seems to be very soft. There is a huge rpm drop when the torque convertor locks up at 48 mph. I don't remember the numbers, but it is about 800 rpm or more in lockup lower than when it is not.

My son used to have a 2WD dually and his truck was alot stronger than mine. Both were 98. 5 models. Mine also has two extra fuel tanks on board which he has full at the moment for a total of 145 gallons on board, so that is about 900# heavier than his truck was. Also, doens't the 4x4 option add another 800# or so of dead weight to haul around?

Can I get by with installing a good torque convertor or would I have to install a new valve body also to try and get rid of the mushy tq feel?

 

[DavidC]

and a new crank position sensor (just cause it's easy to get to now).



Looking for some good insight here.

Thanks guys.

The Crank sensor is behind the starter. What I think you are referring to is the cam sensor and if it is save your money as it is used for dignostic purposes only and will not affect the operation of the vehicle.



Dave

 

[PRout]

John, If you got the RV275 injectors, you are getting very good injectors for fuel mileage. I've recently been doing the research on mileage injectors, and they are getting almost all good reports on mileage and towing egt's. Been reading numerous posts claiming 22-23 mpgs unloaded. Hard to go wrong for their price too.

Also, I ran DD1's (50hp increase) with a VA box and boost fooler for maybe 50k miles on the stock clutch with no problems at all. This included towing fairly heavy. You made a good choice. The only other way I might have gone is with some of the EDM F1 injectors. My friend recently went to M1. 5's and seems to like them alot. They work ok with his auto trans like yours. Think he said he gets 22 or 23 mpgs on the highway as well.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Thanks to everyone for helping me out here. I went with the Bosch brand 300 hp injectors because the $300 bux was all I could afford because that new VP44 really ruined my play money budget

I will forgo that sensor below the VP44 if it is only for diagnostics then. I have no reason to suppose it is bad anyway.

My son reported back to me just a few minutes ago that he drove a friends '96 1 ton dually today as a comparison. That truck has a new DTT TC on the stock transmission. That truck is way stronger on acceleration than my truck is. So, it would appear that a new TC is in my future. Guess I have to talk to Bill Kondolay and get the real poop on what has to be done.

My only sense of relief is that after spending almost $1600 for a new IP, lift pump, filter and injectors, that the codes went away, and the truck is way stronger. That about convinces me that yes, the VP was really on its' last legs even though it was still sort of running. Just weak as a kitten with no umph.