Got my DD2s installed!!

[Hohn]

YEE HAW!! They are very nice, indeed. The power comes on so smooth that it doesn't seem like as big a kick as it is. Of course, my EZ is set at the tamest jumper, so that's likely the reason. Anyway, there is plenty of power there to do anything I want to. I can see myself stopping here on the power bombs.



Anyway, I wanted to post on two things: the injectors, and the installation.



The install: Not bad at all. I was kind of afraid, but followed the DD instructions floating around the membership, and was done in less than 3 hrs. A stubby standard screwdriver is ideal for prying out the crossover tubes when R&Ring the injectors.



i am still kind of afraid that I did something wrong. i went TOO perfectly!! Things ALWAYS go bad for me on the first try or two, so I am waiting for something really bad to happen. But it fired right up (after a little cranking and LP cycling). I have NO visible leaks that I can see.



And THAT'S what worries me. How can I tell if the fuel crossover tube isn't *quite* sitting in there right?? The truck runs great (more later on that) and has gobs of power.



My oil has NO HINT of diesel smell to it. I will be watching my dispstick like a hawk for a while to make sure that i don't have any internal leaks.



The 19mm injector line nuts don't seem to screw all the way into the block. Maybe that's how they were before- i didn't look. Am i paranoid? they aren't quite flush. Anyway, I started them and torqued them up until the factor white marks lined up again. Coincidentally, that torqe seems to be VERY close to what my well-calibrated right arm felt taking it apart.



I didn't use a torque wrench. But everything SEEMS to be ok. I m being paranoid?



The INJECTORS: They are perfect! They are nice and powerful, and have very little smoke (I can control it fully w/ right foot).





Here's another question: is it normal for my idle to have a little "spunk" to it after the bigger injectors? Once in a while it will catch itself and then smooth right back out. The stock idle wasn't perfect, and the momentary gltiches seem to be greatly magnified now. It's mostly noticeable when I am idling in gear, like when I am backing out. Anything off idle is perfectly smooth.



I theorize that the idle circuit in the ECM cannot account for the larger injectors. Under load, the ECM will add more fuel to get the RPM back up to idle, but the larger injectors cause an overcompensation, thus a little rumpity rump as the ECM momentarily cuts out the extra fuel to get idle RPM back.



I want to say a very special thanks to Rod Snaith @ Wildcat Diesel for convincing me to go with the 2s over the 3s. They are perfect for what I wanted.



Interestingly enough, my EGT is not much different at all. I still can't hit 800 (post turbo), but then again I haven't nailed it in 6th. EGT seems to be a non-issue with the EZ set on 1 and the DD2 injectors.



Also, the clutch holds (at least for now)!!! I can't believe it! Maybe the delayed fueling of the lowest EZ setting accounts for this. Also, I haven't nailed it in 6th. But, it definitely held on a WFO run up to the redline in 5th (uphill even).



Max boost is about 32psi (is that right?). EGT is well under control also.



I will have to log more miles to get a better feel of boost, EGT, mpg, etc. i will report back with better numbers when i get them.



Operation Preserve Clutch (by repeatedly running WOT ) is now in effect. Seriously, i am going to stay with the stocker for now. It holds, so why not?



The EZ on 1 and the DD2 injectors is the perfect mid-level combo for me. More than enough power, controlled smoke and EGT, clutch holds, stock intake, stock exhaust. .



Of course, if I am somehow not getting all the fuel to the injectors, that would explain the reasonable smoke and low EGT. That would point to a bad install.



Again, is 32psi about right for ETH/DD2 fueling levels?



This is a great combo. 3s are probably just as good, but i am glad I went with 2s-- i don't think I could make the clutch live with the 3s, and it would be hard for me to drive smoothly.



HOHN

 

[mgoncalves]

I am glad to hear that your clutch is holding. I am planning on threes pretty soon and am hoping to leave the box turned off until I have a clutch waiting to go in.



It sounds like your install went great. I wouldn't worry about the idle issue, I think you nailed it on the head with the computer over compensating because of the bigger injectors. My truck has a funky idle with the stock injectors, I am used to it now and it sounds weird to hear one that doesn't do it now.



Matt

 

[Sticks]

Keep us up to date on your clutch. I decided on DD1's and an EZ (when I get a paying job) but I am starting to waffle on the DD2's now for my 3500 ETH/DEE. I still don't have any guages, and don't want to throw a $900 clutch into the mix.

 

[csevers]

So you would say you like the DD2's?? It does give it a good kick in the butt doesn't it.



Craig

 

[Hohn]

Yes, Craig, my hypocrisy on the 2s was worth it. I don't think I could go any bigger on injectors (or more aggressive on the EZ) without losing some drivability. As it is now, you have to be light on the fuel otherwise you end up accelerating way faster than you need to.



Smoke is a non-issue. I can blow a cloud if i want, but it dissipates fast. Perfect, since I DON'T want a smoke machine, like some others do.



I think the clutch will hold pretty well if i baby it. I mean, I can drive it so it's not any different then when i just had the EZ.



On the install, here's a few things I had REAL good luck with:



-- use an air ratchet to take the cylinder head lifting bracket off. I used a 1/2" drive w/ adapter

-- use assembly lube on the injectors instead of grease. it dissolves in engine oil very easily and won't clog a filter like grease can (can't it?).

-- You don't need to loosen the second injector hold down bolt by much at all. i just barely cracked with a little 8mm wrench and the bar slid out.

-- I used Hylomar instead of RTV on the intake bolts. hylomar doesn't setup, and makes a great seal. It's also easier next time you want to take the bolts out. i also used hylomar instead of RTV also on the intake gaskets-- a thinner film means less to squeeze out (hylomar takes a LOT less to seal)

-- An air ratchet will speed things up a LOT when doing the easily accessible stuff.

-- If you can find a stubby 19mm for the rearmost injector line nuts, it goes faster, even though you prob can't break it free (no leverage) or final torque it properly

-- The DD directions were spot-on!!



It took me less than 3 hours total, and I didn't rush at all. No surprises.



Finally, let me note that the Redline oil is SO slippery that it was hard to loosen or tighten any of the internal bolts by hand. i just couldn't get a grip on them!! That stuff is super-slippery!!



HOHN

 

[LSMITH]

Originally posted by Hohn

you have to be light on the fuel otherwise you end up accelerating way faster than you need to.

Isn't that the whole point?????

Originally posted by Hohn



-- use assembly lube on the injectors instead of grease. it dissolves in engine oil very easily and won't clog a filter like grease can (can't it?).

-- You don't need to loosen the second injector hold down bolt by much at all. i just barely cracked with a little 8mm wrench and the bar slid out.

Motor oil dipped out of a low spot in the head is all you need to lube the injectors, and it mixes well with motor oil Slather them down and pop them in.



You should not loosen the second hold down bolt at all, not even a half turn. Take out the one on the left as you look from the front and the clamp bar will slide right out.

 

[Hohn]

SMOOTH IDLE??

Should I be getting a little lope in my idle with just DD2s???



I would HATE to have to dive back into my install to chase the problem down. It's SO slight, and BARELY noticeable. It only does it once in a while. The stock idle wasn't perfect either, but this is noticeably a step down from that.



I still don't see any evidence of leaks, internal or external. No weeping or misting. No diesel smell in to the oil whatsoever.



My mileage HAS gone down, but not super drastically. My use of the enhanced fuel pedal accounts for that easily. Used to get about 240-260 miles out of a half tank (I usually fill up @ halfway point). So far I am on pace to get about 200 miles out of a half tank. This is almost ALL city driving. There's more than a few doses of WFO in there.



Maybe I need to snug my injector lines up a bit, just to make sure.



HOHN

 

[LSMITH]

If it were an injector line external leak you would know. Have your oil analyzed after 2-3K miles with the new injectors, that is the only way you will ever detect a small fuel leak internally. I know how the "testing" of new mods can affect fuel economy, I had a tank of half city and half highway totally empty and ended up at 11 MPG hand calculated Ease up on the old girl and mileage will come right back where it was, the injectors should not affect economy much if any.

 

[Agades]

Rod and I installed my DD 2's at torque at the fort two weeks ago



your right about the smooth power



I also noticed a rumpy idle as soon as I installed the injectors

but I am also fighting a stumble problem as well (not induced by the injectors only magnafied)



my idle is very noticeable and not rythmic enough to suspect a leak and seams to be worse as the motor gets warmer



as soon as I bring it off idle its smooooooth



I am going to install a VP soon

hopefully that will cure some of the rump



my MPG went in the can right away as well



on the trip home from canada I drove pretty much the same as the trip up and lost about 2 mpg over the stock injectors