Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Grid Heater??

[P-38]

Crazy question...



I live in Sunny Florida. My truck seems to be suffering from lack of air (too much smoke). I want more power but I don't want any more smoke.



The grid heater seems to be a big obstruction in my intake manifold. Can I take this out? At what outside temp will it be hard to start without it? I never wait for the light to go out anyway.



Are there any other mods I can do next to increase air and reduce smoke?



My turbo will pump up to 45lbs if I push it.

 

[jaynes]

I have a first gen and my truck starts fine without the grid heater all the way down to about 30*. Anything below that it sounds like a powerjoke for about 2-3 minutes:--) I don't know how cold it gets in Florida, but I will tell you that you should be fine without it.



jaynes

 

[C. Harlan]

I have thought of taking mine out as well, but then what do you do with all the extra parts?! haha, no need for more paper weights! they come in handy every so often!



-Chris-

 

[P-38]

Well,,,



I took off the two big wires going to the heater yesterday morning when the temp was around 38deg.



It started but it bucked, kicked and smoked until it got warm.



I would consider the trade off if I thought it would increase my airflow.



I guess I could measure this by watcing my boost. If my pressure goes down I could assume that air is flowing into my motor more freely.



Any experience here?

 

[1dslram]

I don't have the grid heaters and it smokes a lot until the engine is warmed up. If you want less smoke don't remove the grid heaters. Do get a larger charger you need more air. I stopped my smoke problems with twins and am now ready for more fuel and the twins have only been in 2 wks. Less smoke = more H. P.

Bruce

 

[Howard Durand]

Have you actually seen the grid heaters?



I have had mine out for other work and, based on their design, can't see how they could possibly cause much if any restriction to air flow.



They are supposed to come on at temperatures below 49 degrees F and will cycle until manifold temperature exceeds that or for 3 1/2 minutes, whichever comes first.

You may not need them in Florida very often but if you ever head north you could run into some trouble getting started.

 

[jaynes]

Howard has a good point. The grids are pretty thin as far as the width of the wires actually go. The air just slices right through them! My . 02



jaynes

 

[1dslram]

AS Howard said the heaters are very thin but also very wide, and with the turbulent air passing them, I would imagine they cause a lot of friction to the passing air. Most likely not noticeable under 40# of boost. But at 50# to 100# I believe there has to be a definite difference.

Bruce

 

[Dieselnut59]

I have always disabled the grid heaters on all the Cummins/Dodges I have had. I think they are useless junk. The off road and medium truck versions of our Cummins engines do not use them and neither do the 3. 9's I have seen. Mine always cranks fine, even down to the mid 20's deg F. It does smoke and rattle a little, but at temps below the mis 20's F, you should probably use your block heater anyway. With the block heater, it starts just like a Summer day, even below 20 F. I disable the heaters because it is such a drain on the batteries and charging system and i never wait for the stupid thing anyway. I disabled it on my 2003 by unhooking the fusable link leads at the battery and on my other trucks by removing one wire from the solenoid. I plan a permanent, complete removal on the ole '96 soon by using a medium truck/off road upper intake that does not have the grid heater.

BTW, my new 2003 starts and runs fine with no grid heater enabled, even down to 25 deg F. Not even a hint of smoke and very little added noise!

 

[Sled Puller]

I have found out that I can start without it, but it sure helps.



I notice it more probably because of the thicker head gasket.