First Time Owner, New TDR member

[dcasselberry]

I purchased my first Dodge Cummins truck in 1996, it is the 3500 Extended Cab, with long bed. It has an auto transmission; couldn't find a standard out here in New Jersey. The biggest problems I've had to date is the death wobble at 80K miles, and had to replace a starter. About a week ago, my odometer hit the 100K mark, hence my warranty is history, so I'm looking to beef it up.



I've been looking into the Banks upgrades, but they seem pretty pricey for what you get. I'm not rolling in the dough, so I'd like to do things a bit at a time. I'd love to hear some advice from all the experienced folks here who can help me do this right.



At the present time, the only non-stock item I have installed is the K&N drop in filter. I have a wish list of sorts but don't know if there is a particular "order of upgrade" path I should follow, so I'll tell you what I want to do, and would really appreciate some guidance.



1. I want to add gauges..... turbo boost, pyrometer, and trans temp. I'm looking at ISPPRO brand and the price I was given to install these three gauges with A Pillar mount painted to match my interior for $800. Does this seem reasonable?



2. I want a new exhaust system... ... any suggestions?



3. Modifications to my injection pump and turbo.



Does it matter what order I do these upgrades? Or, I should say, have them done, as I'm too chicken to start messing around with the injection pump myself.



I'm mightily impressed with the TDR forums, and look forward to participating, if you guys can put up with a mechanical greenhorn.

 

[24V-DSL]

Welcome to the TDR... .



This should help you get started. The focus is for 24V, but you get the drift.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9797



Run, don't walk from the $800 gauge install.



Many exhaust choices... . do some searching.



A lot of TDR members, me included, prefer some anonymity. But, if you'd tip off a little about your location, there are likely some members in your neighborhood who would jump in here and let you see/drive, etc.

 

[dcasselberry]

Many thanks for the link, and the suggestions. I live in Ewing, New Jersey, very close to Trenton. I hope there are some TDR members living in the area who could show me the ropes.



I thought the 3 gauges with install price of $800 seemed pretty extreme. This place also does the KDP fix and charges $300 for that. As is true in most things, I'm sure it will pay to shop around, but first I really want to know that I'm shopping for what I want and need.

 

[Philip]

welcome to the TDR



You might want to go into the user controll panel and set up a sig for your truck spec's. That way when you ask questions about items. You don't need to type them in all the time.

 

[dcasselberry]

Hi Philip:



Thanks for the welcome... ... I just set up a sig with the truck specs per your suggestion. It will probably take me a while to figure out all the bells and whistles of this forum. I do appreciate and welcome all suggestions.

 

[Deezul1]

The gauge install should be about 3 hours or so. So the labor charge for the install should be priced accordingly. After the gauges are in try a fuel plate for most bang for the buck and lose the cat and also the muffler unless you have a problem with it being a little more noisy but it isnt bad and it helps turbo spool up and EGT. There is a lot more to be done after that but the trans starts to be a problem somewhere in there. With above mentioned mods you will prolly be ok but I am not versed in auto trans quircks so will let someone else take care of that advise.

Welcome and feel free to ask anything you need to.

John

 

[dcasselberry]

Deezul1:



Thanks for the info..... very helpful. In my neck of the woods, even labor at a dealership is about $75 per hour, so I'd think that original quote of $800 is about $200 too high. What kind of gauges did you use in your truck? When I get a fuel plate, I'm hoping to stay at a horsepower level that won't require transmission modifications or replacement. I'm still undecided what I'll do about the exhaust..... I'm reluctant to remove the cat because the inspection folks in NJ would probably eat me alive.

 

[24V-DSL]

Keep trying....

Looks like you're not getting many bites with this thread.



Put up a post in the 12V Engine/drivetrain forum about your bomb questions, and I think you'll get more response. (Don't feel like you're being a pest, that's what this site is for)



On gauges: Autometer, DiPricol, Isspro, Westach, SPA, are all excellent. It's a matter of personal choice. If you don't tow, I'd think about a fuel pressure gauge instead of the transmission gauge. I would buy from one of the many vendors on this site and find a "private" mechanic for install. The three hour install previously mentioned is accurate. Or, try to find if there is a TDR group in your area. The NW Bombers hold "bomb" parties a few times a year and install exhaust, gauges, etc. for the price of a hotdog and soda/beer.



Good luck... .

 

[Hammer]

DCasselberry... .

Welcome to the TDR first. .

About your guages and the install, look around ands see if any of the Mason-Dixon members have anything a happening when you get them. Most of the time when we do something there is always a little work going on. Gauges are not hard to install,most of the time will be used up doing the wire fishing for the A-Pillar mount. The style of gauge you want is a ice cream flavor deal,what ever is your favorite its your truck,do a search here on them and see what evryone else is saying or using.



Exhaust is another flavor choice here,many use different types to achieve the sound or look they want. There is plenty of info in the archives on them and look them over carefully,remember there is no HP in exhaust,just quicker egt cooling.



Pump work is done by many and some you can do yourself. since its a 96 a cam plate and timing adjust along with some work on the AFC housing will make a big difference over what you currently have. Take a gander at TST's home site and you may find what you seek easily.



Banks,well all I can say on that is,research them here and see what you find. Its alot easier than someone beginning a flaming war. Let us know if you need a hand,we will se what we can do..... Andy

 

[dcasselberry]

Andy:



Thanks for the warm welcome and I'll definitely check into the Mason/Dixon group... ... . I think I've found the gauges I want, but still researching exhaust. I visited TST website today and found some kits that looked good and affordable. The promo package from Banks arrived this weekend. While I know the Banks stuff is good, I think I can probably get more bang for the buck from some other sources. But before I do anything else, I am going to address the KDP issue.



I'm really enjoying the TDR site and all the friendly and helpful folks. Looks like the only thing better than CTD's is the people who own them.



Dan

 

[Hammer]

Dan...

We are having a dyno spin and club meet this weeknd south of Harrisburg,PA on Saturday. Rammin On is bringing a KDP jig to show guys how to do it so they can kill them for themselves that day. Post is in the Local Chapter/Events forum for time,date and directions if your interested.



Your exhaust research can make your eyes water,been there done that,and will lead to lots of different views. Many different makers and different styles are abound and its a matter of choice. some of the better ones I have seen are Rip Rooks,Jardine's and the new Bully Dog 4" and 5" systems. Jetpilot and **ICEMAN** have the Bully Dog 5" complete systems and they are quite a nice setup. Now if your into stacks,then the setup that Oasis-3 has on his Black '01 Sport are the real deal and nicely engineered. Do a search in the members rigs area with his user name and you'll see a complete photo shoot with them and his parts list is there also. One of the slickest exhaust setups I've seen in a while is on M-D TDR member Rattlebox's truck(seen it at the Northeast MD meet a few years ago). Its a split exhaust into rear exiting duals,splits where the cat is into 2 3" pipes and exits behind the rear wheels in 5" tips. It has a nice sound and looks sharp. it was done by a shop over in the Trenton,NJ area called Fucellilo's(I know I butchered that name). PM him for the info,I can not find the info he gave me then. Hope this helps... . Andy

 

[Deezul1]

dcasselberry

I have DiProcol gauges from TST and so far they have been fine. The EGT gauge doesnt light as well at night as the boost gauge other than that they are good.

The exhaust mods that are most effective are no muffler or cat and if inspections are a problem, gut the cat and go straight through muffler. After much research and advice from members whose opinions I respect greatly, I cancelled my 4" exhaust project. Dyno results show very little benefit from the larger exhaust until the 500hp range and those who I talked to wished they had not spent the money on it and used the money for other things first. See sig, 417hp with stock turbo and exhaust with no muff or cat.

Good Luck

John

 

[dcasselberry]

Andy:



If my schedule permits, I may just take a run out the the M-D gathering on Saturday..... I work on Sundays, so I probably wouldn't be staying over. Sounds like fun and a good chance to see what others are doing with their trucks.



Almost spooky that you mentioned Fucello's in your message... . I was actually at their shop today! It's not far from where I live, so I took a ride over and found them to be very nice and their prices seemed reasonable as well. I'll definitely PM Rattlebox to find out more about what he did.



Fucello's main line of exhaust stuff seems to be Flowmaster. You're definitely correct about your eyes beginning to water after reading all the threads here about the pros and cons of various exhaust systems. I was pretty much ready to go with a 4 inch system there, but I'm going to do a bit more research before I take the plunge.



Deezul1: You've got me rethinking whether or not I should go to a 4 inch system. I've got lots of things to consider over time, and thinking I'll probably do exhaust, kdp, then gauges... ... then forge ahead with pump and injection issues from there.



Many, many thanks to all of you guys who've taken the time to help me here.

Hope we get a chance to meet one of these days soon.



Dan