have some questions about my truck.

[SSolderitch]

new to TDR, new to diesel, etc



the truck is a 2001 SLT laramie, qc 2500, 4x4, 5 sp, 241 HD transfer, 3:55 dana 60/80 with 234k



q1 lets start off easy - how to fix the back seat latch? pass side works, drivers side dosen't - what a pain.



q2 anyone running the Bd power short throw shifter? thinking of getting one.



q3 hot hodding? truck has 4" banks exhaust, egt gauge pre turbo, fuel guage (reads steady 8 psi), Fass pump 95-1002 (without filters), MAD ecu, heavy duty clutch, K&N drop in filter, Amsoil for all fluids.



Specks in the MAD ecu? I know it soots when you put out foot in it.

thinking on a curved aftermarket intake? Will I feel a difference?, money well spent?

boost gauge needed? 0-30 or 0-60?





my use is for pulling a 7k trailer once in a while - local, snow plowing (my own driveway) truck came with a blizzard mount, 95% driving empy... mileage/longevety is a concern. But need it to be fun to drive, I've always increased hp with every car & truck, 30+ years of driving mopars. my other rides 85 318 gas pig pu 4x4 plow truck, 70 340 4 sp dart, 02 neon r/t (not stock) & 97 intrepid 3. 5L



thanks in advance for help & comments

Shawn

 

[jgillott]

Welcome to TDR Shawn. When you have a chance, you may want to fill out your profile and signature sections so that others will know where you are from and your truck information at a glance. Both of those are located in your user control panel.



As far as the MAD ECM is concerned, I also ran one in my '01. It was one of the best improvements I made to that truck at the time. The MAD ECM was the precursor to the SMARTY Mads Electronics - Smarty - CaTCHER - Dodge Tuning - Home. There were several files available, some with increased timing, some with less. But basically, it increased timing and fueling from the stock ECM programming.

 

[SSolderitch]

sig should be at bottom.



more questions:



intake - leaning towards banks or cfm (can't decide)

fuel additives: fleetguard or BDP or ?

can I use "d" rated tires (have a set of mud/snow 33 x 12. 50 x 16. 5" from old truck) I know I have a 900lbs diesel + plow... . hanging on the front.

FYI mad was installed in 2005



I only got the truck on fri (8-31-07) and only got 150 miles of seat time, All mods/repairs were done by previous owner.

 

[SSolderitch]

also

glove box tag shows 13" x 2. 5" rear drums, my parts CD doesn't list that size?

 

[MCummings]

OE Turbo can use a 35PSI boost gauge. Even a slightly bigger the OE can still use the 35 pounder. 1Lb of boost is about 10HP, so figure what boost gauge you need with that equation...



Personally I would leave the intake elbow alone. IF I were to fiddle with it, I would look for AFE's new intake (the one the oil dipstick tube bolts to).



I'm a big fan of AFE's stuff. I feel they are the best mfg'r of intakes.





If you want power, focus on fuel. Airflow will not give you much power on a diesel. Just lower EGT's.



Merrick

 

[SSolderitch]

the truck has isspro gauges already and wanting to keep them the same... only choice is 30 or 60 psi. So I guess with the exhaust & MAD ecu, etc then 30 may not be enought???? I can pump enought soot as not to see the car left at the stop sign, thats why I was thinking better air flow.



Are the turbo elbow fitting a good thing to do?

still have questions above not answered, thanks

 

[Oil Burner]

I'd definately go 60 psi on boost gauge. You should be at 30 or above now easily.



The MAD ecm fuels hard like level 9 on a smarty and will soot off boost. If you are concerned with soot, you could invest the money you would have spent on an intake elbow and sell the MAD ecm and get a Smarty. The Smarty is the adjustable version of the mad ECM. YOu will be able to downgrade it when you tow, and turn it to level 9 for your hot rodding needs. I ran a smarty (just like your MAD ecm) on my '01 with Supermental injectors and could drive without smoke if I wanted to. It could black out the road too. You are getting fuel and timing out of that ECM program. It's really a great program but if you want to be able to tone it down, the Smarty would work for you.





I would not do the intake elbow... I just don't think they are worth the money. You can get a lot more out of that money.



My back seat latch broke on my '01 and it turned out that when I took the plastic cover off of the side, the braided cable just came off of the pin. A new clip and washer solved that. Might not be your problem, but easily worth a look.



Jason