Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How much boost can it take?

[alaskax]

I just got an ATS transmission upgrade w/triple lock, and then installed a TST multi-level pwrmax III over my Dr. Perf III upgrade. Wow am I starting to REALLY enjoy this thing! Took 2 seconds off 0-60. My stock turbo, HX-35, used to max at about 23psi. With new elbow from TST kit, it goes to about 28, and with the TST unit ON, pegs my 0-35 gauge, but it's about at 40-45 by projection. My questions:



1. How much boost can the stock turbo handle- is it overboosing at this level?



2. My 0-1600 egt gauge is pegged while doing my test runs. I don't know how high it's really going! How LONG is it safe running at such high temps? 1/4 mile runs? 30 seconds? 1 minute? I sure don't want to damage anything!



3. What would a turbo like a Piers HX-40 perform like in my truck? Would the boost still be about 40 psi? Would I expect more power, and about how much? And, perhaps most importantly, would I expect a lowering of the egt's?



4. Would a 4" exhaust REALLY reduce the egt's considerably?



Sorry for so many Q's... any response to any of them would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!



John

 

[JR2]

I think you are running the stock HX35 a bit hard. I think anyting over about 30 psi is too much and you are actually making the air hotter.



I would not run your EGT over 1600 deg for longer than a 1/4 mile if that. 1600 is real hot. There are guys on here that will tell you its fine and I know there are a few guys on here that run over 1600 all the time.



I think a PDR HX40 is the answer for you. I have no idea what your boost would be because I don't know what how big Dr. P's injectors are. It really does not matter anyway as Piers sets the waste gate to about 38-40. Running an HX40 over that will make it go boom.



4" exhaust is not terribly necessary, but it does help some. It also sounds very nice. The HX40 takes a new down pipe (4" all the way) so if you are going to change exhaust that is the time to do it.





Take a look at my signature, with a PDRHX40 and my drag comp on 5x5 I can hit 1500, as long as I drive on 4x3 the most it goes to is 1450. That is with the hp in the high 400's range.



Good luck and how long have you had the Dr. P stuff, I thought he went out of business.

 

[jwilliams3]

1600 is ok to hit for short periods of time, but no way ok for extended periods.

Like mentioned above in a 1/4 mile run is ok, but anymore is risking it.



Some bigger injectors and an HX40 is a nice setup that you might want to consider.



I can still hit around 1500 for a short period of time, then it backs off around to about 1250 on WOT.



--Justin

 

[FMcClaren]

I was thinking the auto came with a HY 35 .

Mine did, If so they say about 30 psi is max

Ijust put the Turbo-Master on my HY35.

I like being able to ajust it. Woks great.

Have a good one ---Frank

 

[Bob Wagner]

2000 Ram has the HX35 HY35 started in 01

 

[JR2]

just to add to what Bob said... the HY35 can take a max of 26 psi before its out of its operating map (ie it starts making hot air). I am not saying it can't make more, heck I ran 45 psi with it all the time, but the EGT's get very very hot.

 

[alaskax]

Thanks for the great advice!



JR2- I think Dr. P is out, but I got it for lots of money when I bought the truck new in '99 when I knew nothing else. It did add 100 hp over stock, which has been nice, but adding the TST box made it jump up that much again.



I think the injectors are about 275's, but I never could get that info, so I'm just guessing. Not sure if I should look at bigger injectors, 'cause I'm not sure what they are!



When you guys say the HX35 may be MAKING hot air at those high pressures, I'm a little confused. Since my temp probe is BEFORE the turbo, is the higher temp really from the increased backpressure, or from piping it through the intercooler and back into the intake?



Assuming the injectors are 275's, would I expect about 30-50 hp from a Piers HX40 or comparable, or less than that but just cooler temps... or BOTH??



John

 

[Silver]

I'm no expert but this is the way I see it

40 lbs of boost is about the max that I would be comfortable running. I wouldn't want to be running 40 psi out of a stock turbo though. After 40psi, I'd worry about my head gasket.



As far as pegging your pyro. You're asking for trouble.



Piers's 40, a 4in exhaust, and BHAF will probably lower your egts by about 200deg? (I'm guessing)



I haven't read your sig so I don't know if your truck is a toy, or you actually have to rely on it. If it's a toy, have FUN. If you need your truck to be reliable, I think you're pushin it.



PS

I can't afford down time in my truck so I'll probably never push over 35psi and 1400egt



If I'm wrong guys- let me have it

 

[alaskax]

I can't afford down time in my truck either... it's my toy AND my necessity, I guess!



If I don't dial the PwrMax beyond 5 or 6, it will not exceed 35 psi. 7 thru 9 is where it pegs the 35 psi gauge. Even at this, however, the pyro will creep right up to 1600 for a bit.



I'm still really curious about how the HX40 will change things. It seems like a lot of you high-powered guys have gone this route, and you had to upgrade from the stock turbo. Any quantitative data on increase in power and/or decrease in EGT's for trucks similar to my profile, assuming 275 injectors?



Thanks again!



John

 

[bmoeller]

Unless Dr. Performance closed recently, I still see adds for them and their website is still up.