Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Has anyone run a VA with DD1"s?

[LSMITH]

I am considering injectors and am looking for real world results, not "it probably won't smoke all that bad" or "your mileage shouldn't change much either way". If you have run this combo do you have dyno numbers. I would appreciate any info on this.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S

 

[Sean Flanagan]

I've seen a VA and 275's. It sends out a sizeable puff at first but once boost goes up, the smoke clears. It's noticable but not objectionable.

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98. 5 2500 QC LB 4x4 5spd, white. BFG 285x75x16
Cummins 24v w/ TST PowerMAX w/EGT and Boost gauges on A-Pillar. VanAaken CPC. K&N In the factory air box. Stock Injectors, Stock Exhaust (Geno's Muffler Eliminator). Re-routed breather stink tube, 2WD-low kit, SnugTop, JJ Stainless Running boards, Tow Hooks, Bushwacker Street Flares, and a Cup Smoothie.
78,000 miles (11/17/00)

 

[Guest00]

I ran a VA and DD1's for attitude adjustment and psd tromping only. It added about as much power as the DD1's, really improves low rpm power w/ or w/o DD1's but will really p*ss off the poor guy at your right rear when you nail it at no or low boost. It will completely envelop a pick up truck and totally remove him from the visable world. I sold mine and got an EZ that on 2nd setting starts fueling at 2,000 rpm so no smoke but very little power at idle to 2000 rpm. In your part of the country you will probably be able to tow with the DD1's and VA but will need to lose the muffler. I have not gained any fuel mileage but have not lost any either with any power mods I have made: just increased driving pleasure.

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2K, 2500,Laramie,Quad,4x4,3:54LSD,auto,reese 15k 5th slider, EISLEY BULL BAR,WESTIN NERFS, TA's,9000's, DD2's,PE-EZ & elbow, ISSPRO pyro & boost, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", DTT VB,TC and COOLER, PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, onboard.
pullee #1 26' Arctic Fox 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA,VFW,SASS

 

[David_VT]

I enjoyed the VA & DDI combo. However I moved to the PE for more juice and top end power. I do miss the low end power, but not that much (no towing).

Hint, if you go VA and DDI I suggest getting the boost elbow from DD along with a boost module to fool your ECM.

I did not think it smoked that bad, as I can generate much more smoke with my hot PE when I want to (L3).



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99' SB 4x4 : DDI's, HOT PE, SPA dual gauge, ESPAR, Line-X OTR, Ladder bars, AMSOIL, etc (GPS,Cell,CB,... . )
Green Monster

 

[PRout]

I can speak for DD1's/VA/Boost Module/elbow. This is a very nice combo for snappy power.
Lots of torque starting around 1400, and it just gets stronger as it revs up. I hardly ever
get past half throttle, or even quarter, as its plenty snappy (unloaded). If you do want to
give it the gas, It'll haul *ss. I'm sure it'll give any Powerstroke a good run. If the
roads wet at all, itll easily spin the tires in 4th gear just by rolling on the gas. Thats
w/ BGF all-terrain tires even! 5th will spin also if you push it harder.

I cruise at around 1800 rpms on the freeway (about 65mph), and at that rpm its ready to pull
if you push the pedal. No downshift necessary. No lag, it just pulls hard. Makes it fun to
drive.

Yes, the smoke factor is there. As mentioned previously, you can't push the pedal much if
your under the turbo or it'll smoke more than you want. As long as you "tune in" and pay
attention to the boost, you'll get used to it, and you'll become automatic and "roll on" the
gas according to the turbo pressure. I'll sometimes get caught sleeping, and will let it get
below the turbo, and need to get moving quickly. If someones behind me, I have to downshift
to get moving, otherwise if no ones there, ill just let it smoke for a second till the thing
gets boost and then it torques out very strong. If someones back there they're gonna get
"poofed". It is kinda nice though when you get tired of watching someone riding youre tail!
heehee Just poof em and they wont do that aaannnnymore. #ad


See my sig for mileage numbers. I'm not sure if you'll get any better than stock, or worse
even, but its pretty **** good for the power it makes. If your worried about smoke, you
might want to forget the VA and just go w/ DD2's. You wont have the snappy bottom end
though. I like the injectors vs the box idea if possible because they're easier on the
injecton pump (less back pressure).

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2k, 27k miles, QC, SB, 4x, 6sp, 3. 54, 285/75r16 bfg/at, stock air cleaner (reliable), silencer ring "in" (runs better), Sunnybrook 28' fiver, 16,780 lbs. 18. 5 mpg (unloaded), 12-14 mpg (loaded). VA, DD1's, PS Boost module & elbow... also, Nitrous Oxide piped direct into the block (stealth - to keep the warranty), twin turbos, 10 gallon per minute fuel pump, ECM right out of Don Garlit's Top Fueler (he gave it to me) (for letting him ride in my truck), Super Modified DD1 Injectors ("Hand Honed" with a 1/4" reamer & my 12v Makita). More BOMBING to come!!

 

[HC]

If you're worried about smoke, you
might want to forget the VA and just go w/ DD2's. You wont have the snappy bottom end
though. I like the injectors vs the box idea if possible because they're easier on the
injection pump (less back pressure).

I have yet to see a post that talks about
smoke with a VA, unless there were also injectors. In other words, I believe you could keep smoke to a minimum with either "just injectors" or with "just a VA". I suspect one could build a good list of pro's and con's for going either direction, but it is hard to research because so many people do both, not just one. Let's see what others say... #ad

 

[Ole Blue]

My vote is for a VA,Bullydog Step II's,and a PS boost module. You will love the power,low egt's(with 4in. exhaust),and not much smoke if you don't lug it. Normal driving no noticable smoke at shift points. Just my opinion... ... . Blue

 

[HGH]

I'm running just a VA and as mentioned above, the only time I get any smoke is when there is zero - maybe 4 psi boost. Once the boost builds up, no smoke at all. What smoke does come out is noticable in the mirror, but not excessive..... unless you're in the middle of it.

Regards... ... . Hal

 

[LSMITH]

With just the VA I see no smoke at all. A full throttle stomp from idle will let out a tiny puff, but if you are not looking you will not see it. Maybe the blue smoke is hiding the black smoke but I doubt it.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S

 

[CannonBall]

I have the VA, DD Stage 1 injectors, and the Practical Solutions Boost Module/Elbow kit.

Smoke is minimal depending on driving technique. The low end power is great. No clutch slippage. Thirty pounds max boost. 1175 degrees F. max EGT. Twenty miles to the gallon running 70 mph.

I do not have any dyno numbers to report but 60 to 80 is a shade over seven seconds with the five speed and 3. 55 gears.

 

[PRout]

Lsmith,

Cannonball is right on w/ what ive seen too. I've had the same setup as him, and had the same results. Truck ran great!

The only difference I see is our driving style may be different, as i dont rev mine much. I usually drive mellow, and just take my time. So I probably see more smoke than him because of the lower rpms. When I shift at higher r's it doesnt smoke at all, unless im towing, and making a pass on the grades w/ heavy throttle, then if its nighttime you can see lots of smoke behind. But it pulls great. just under 17,000 lbs total, and itll pull any speed on the 6 or 7% grades (if you want - I like takin it easy on the equipment)

Also, right. The VA ITSELF doesnt have a smoke problem. But when you add injectors, depending on which size, its going to start smoking. I think DD1s are max w/ the VA, DD2's would be pushing it. I know someone that tried his 3's w/ the VA, and it wasnt usable. Wayyyyyyy too much smoke!!

If your worried about smoke, you might go w/ 275's & VA. I think 1's are perfect w/ the VA if you drive it right.

I figure that if you have the 1's and remove the VA for any reason (like just for a change), you still have something. DD1's make the truck run like it should run straight fron the factory!! Stock injectors make it a dog.

Sorry for the long post.

[This message has been edited by Shortshift (edited 01-06-2001). ]

 

[Randy]

I do not have the DDI's, but I do have the RV 275's and the VA. I have been testing different combo's for both power, milage and EGT's. It depends on your application of the truck. If you pull a trailer, I have found that the best all around set-up is the VA and the stock injectors. When I run this combo, I see 23 mpg at 75 mph empty on the highway. If I pull my 22' trailer I get 16 mpg at 70 mph. There is a bit of smoke at take off until the turbo gets up to about 5 lbs. The power is nice and really helps in pulling in my power range of 2000 rpm. There is no increase in the egt's when pulling with this combo. If you just want power the 275's and the VA gave me more than I really want. With that combo I have to be careful not to slip the clutch or spin the tires. Plus my milage droped from 23 to 20 mpg empty. Pulling it also droped from 16 to 13 mpg. I also noticed my egt were higher when pulling even with the 4" exhaust. The 275's alone added a bit of power with no real improvement in milage or higher egt's. I think I will stick to the VA and stock injectors after having tried all three combos.

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Randy Richmond, 98. 5 24 valve, 50,000 mi 2500, 5 speed, 4" exhaust, 4x4, 3. 54, LB, QC, Van Aaken CPC, Bosch 275 HP injectors, PacBrake, Walker flowthru muffler, Amsoil, running boards, Leer Shell, Metalic Red.

 

[PRout]

Very Interesting.

Actually, thats when i seemed to notice the drop in mileage also is when i went w/ the dd1's.

 

[thepitts]

I have DD1's PS boost module and elbow, I can hit 34 pounds of boost. My dyno number are 247 hp and 657 lbs of tq at the rear wheels @ 2700 RPM's. I have an auto 4X4 4. 10 gears. I may wait and see how much Marco's ECM is before I get a box.

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Eric Pitts Terre Haute Indiana
2001 Properly Valved 2500 Qcab 4X4 auto Transgo shifts it 4. 10 LSD Prime-Loc Weston Nerf Bars Smith built brush guard Command Remote Starter Scotty Air DD stage 1’s, boost fooler, elbow 32psi boost 247hp,657tq Neophyte B. O. M. B. er
The Pitts Home Page
Member GLTDR

 

[_Bill]

If you are going with DD injectors (which I highly recommend) you should look at their new fueling box. I just tested one out today and did not get a smoke cloud like I have seen with other boxes. It did smoke a little under hard acceleration but it was acceptable.

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2001. 5 2500 QC 4x4
Cummins ETH 6 Speed
RAMPAGE!

 

[Kent Kuykendall]

Bill,

Do you have DDI or DDII injectors?

Kent

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by Kent Kuykendall:
Bill,

Do you have DDI or DDII injectors?

Kent

Hes got DD III's! Hehe I'll have the same in bout 3 weeks.

 

[_Bill]

That's right, DD III's and no regrets. IMHO, the Diesel Dynamics Stage III set up (injectors, boost module or DD box, HX 40 turbo, 4" exhaust) is the ultimate high performance upgrade for our 24 V's. Again, that's just my opinion.

 

[Kent Kuykendall]

How much improvement would there be using a DD box with the DDII's? Has anyone got this combo?

Kent

 

[Bob-TEXAS]

I have only seen a litle smoke and only with boost low, no smoke above 7 or 8 PSI.

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99 3500 QC, white, 5sp, 3. 55lsd, isspro EGT & boost, 48,000 miles 11-11-00- (EX phord owner) 15-16. 5 MPG hwy ,14-15 city , 10-12 with 4,000lb TT
1500 - 3000 in 4th = 13 sec
VA,1500- 3000 in 4th = 10 sec
275,1500 - 3000 4th = 11. 15 sec
slight mpg increase both ways.
VA+275 ,1500 - 3000 = 9. 0 sec
. 5 or 1. 5 MPG increase over stock. .
PS boost module,100 to 150 lower EGT's, same power.