easy horse power/fuel economy?

[LeeJ]

I recently bought a 93 Cummins and the motor is fairly stock I was wondering what are the some of the best things i could do to get a little extra power and in the long run a little fuel mileage.

 

[DBF]

Automatic or manual transmission?

Regards, DBF

 

[JLEONARD]

If you go to the FAQ section, then read the power upgrade thread. If you do the stage 1 and 2 steps you will get some significant power improvements and some very slight mileage gains IF you can drive with a light foot. MAke sure you install the recommended gages so you don't harm your diesel.

The tradeoff will be "mileage vs smileage" as you will want to use the newfound power.

Jay

 

[LeeJ]

It has the 5 speed getrag.

 

[rumblefish]

make sure to overfill the trans by one quart asap.

 

[LeeJ]

I have heard that the transmission takes 15-40 and the detergent in the oil will bubble over and run the trans low on oil. Can you put a non detergent oil in the trans?

 

[jdross440]

I have used Castroil Syntec in mine since it had about 15K miles with no problems. It runs quieter and shifts good. I have 255K on it now.

 

[LeeJ]

Ive read some of the other forums where people have talked about putting coolers on the trans have you ever considered one for yours? Also have you turned yours up?

 

[jdross440]

I turned up the power screw about 1 1/2 turns and adjusted the diaphram/smoke setting when the warranty ran out. I don't pull heavy loads with it. Maximum I've ever towed is 7500 lbs and usually around 5K pounds. Most of the time it is a daily driver on the freeway, therefore I haven't considered coolers for it.

 

[dpuckett]

Talk to MMiller- he tows heavy and has a temp gauge installed in his Getrag.



If you think your MPGs are off after the aforementioned adjustments, get the injectors tested for pop pressure and atomization. Lack of smoke doesnt in itself indicate good injectors.



AS for the getrag oil the detergents do NOT cause it to boil over and run low. The light weight 5w30 oil, combined with the factory recommendation against changing it does.



Daniel

 

[LeeJ]

What kind of oil change intervals are we looking at for the get rag? Ive got a 04 with the 6 speed in it and I usualy try to go 7000 on the oil change it seems a little early but I always have a little weight on it.

 

[dpuckett]

If you tow or haul a lot with it, 10-15K; if mainly empty driving, 20-25K is ok. The important thing is to change it and keep it overfilled.



DP

 

[LeeJ]

Not to stray from the subject but I've been told that the valves will likley need to be retightened before I can really get anything out of the truck what kind of specks would you have for something like that. Also the truck should run a little choppy and be a little hard to start if the valves were to bad would'nt they? I dont know but I would guess, any ideas?

 

[dpuckett]

Loose valves will usually be accompanied by a slightly louder rattle (esp under light throttle), less than good power, esp on bottom end, less MPG. It is a gradual process of performance falling off, but it is a good idea to do it anyway. Factory spec is . 010" for intake; . 020" for exhaust. Some guys here go a bit tighter, but I have yet to notice any appreciable difference, so I just leave mine at stock specs.



DP

 

[LeeJ]

How hard is the stock pump to adjust? Also how much should I turn it at a time. I would assume that there is a pattern on turning all the screws and wheels. The truck as it sit dosent hardly smoke at all even when you throttle up fast. I havent driven the truck alot but it seems like it dosent have a lack of power that I can notice. I want to try to turn the pump up some on it this weekend any pointers would be appreciated,thanks

 

[dpuckett]

Read the stickies in the FAQ about VE perormance. I wouldnt go more than 1/2-3/4 turn on the fuel screw without some gauges. Actually, I'd install gauges and get a performance baseline before I did anything.



DP

 

[LeeJ]

where all do I need to get the gauges onto? Also what kind of turbo would you recomend? This truck will be a daily driver and maybe haul a horse or two on the weekend Ive been told that the 14mm is best for quick spool and the bigger the input side the better, it not so much horsepower that worries me there but what would a big turbo do for the temp?

 

[JLEONARD]

You need a pyrometer and a boost gage to start.

If you plan on hauling you probably should no go smaller than a 16 on the hot side.

 

[LeeJ]

What kind of turbo do alot of the heavy haulers use? Im know I cant go to big with out some motor work but what kind of scale am I looking at I am wanting to put some injectors in not to big but enough to give it some pull I have the getrag in so I know I cant get to hot!