Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How much is too much

[NoSeeUm]

If I go with Smarty SW9 and 1. 6s how well will the stock turbo work and the stock clutch hold running empty? Towing about 5k?



Thanks;

Jim

 

[16919]

If you put an adjustable boost elbow on the turbo its should be okay (set @ 34psi) but that clutch won't last long. You'll need something with more gripping power like a South Bend con ofe. just my . 02

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

JFaries,



I have had a Catcher for several months and about 80,000 miles delivering campers. With AFE intake, RV 275's, boost elbow and Catcher 31 lbs was easily hit all the time with no egt issues. The clutch was replaced before I bought the truck and is obviously not a stock one since it never slips.



Trent

 

[DieselRam30]

If I go with Smarty SW9 and 1. 6s how well will the stock turbo work and the stock clutch hold running empty? Towing about 5k?



Thanks;

Jim

I ran a CATCHER and bigger injectors than 1. 6s with the stock charger for a while and didn't have any major problems with it. Just watch the EGT gauge if you tow around hills a lot.

 

[johncameron]

When I tow I turn my box off and use the DDII injectors only. It is perfect with about 30LBS of boost, no EGT issues here. IF I leave the box on... ..... it's another story..... HOT!

 

[darkhorse]

If I go with Smarty SW9 and 1. 6s how well will the stock turbo work and the stock clutch hold running empty? Towing about 5k?



Thanks;

Jim

You can get by with the stock turbo, but be sure to limit boost to 35psi at the max. It is getting to the limits of that turbo, however. The stock clutch will be easy to over power however. The SB con ofe is a good choice.

 

[NoSeeUm]

OK thanks everyone, I have a long term plan more or less. But I have 2 kids in college right now (graduating soon if no Masters agenda) plus I like the trucks performance with Smarty as it is anyways. But... ...



Short Term - SW9 plus: Will this leave the stock clutch and turbo in the "OK Zone"?

- 275's (or similiar)



Long Term - SW9 plus: Would this be a pretty good build for empty and / or towing fairly light (5k)?

- DodgeZilla (Banks Exhaust Brake stays)

- 1. 6's (or 2's)

- Con OFE

- TST PM3 (Only maybe, after the above 3 have been installed)



I'm thinking that if I could get away with the 1. 6's for a bit that I would save myself the expense of buying and keeping and / or hassle of re-selling the 275's.



Edit: Home for me is 4200 feet



Thanks again;

Jim

 

[NoSeeUm]

You can get by with the stock turbo, but be sure to limit boost to 35psi at the max. It is getting to the limits of that turbo, however. The stock clutch will be easy to over power however. The SB con ofe is a good choice.

No sure how you limit maximum boost. Use the go pedal?



Currently my wastegate is still functional.



Jim

 

[KKlingbeil]

No sure how you limit maximum boost. Use the go pedal?



Currently my wastegate is still functional.



Jim

You can buy an adjustable boost elbow from quite a few different places... It screws into the compressor housing on your turbo, and has a plug in it to adjust when the wastegate will open. I think they are around 15 dollars... There used to be some in the classified section... I think a fellow tdr member was making them...

 

[NoSeeUm]

You can buy an adjustable boost elbow from quite a few different places... It screws into the compressor housing on your turbo, and has a plug in it to adjust when the wastegate will open. I think they are around 15 dollars... There used to be some in the classified section... I think a fellow tdr member was making them...

Doh... .



$15 bucks?



I guess I can throw it in the budget and crunch the numbers for awhile.

 

[JTruelove]

Two questions:

1. Did you cut in a switch and tie it into the yellow(pump) wire to turn off the Banks box?

2. What kinda boost numbers are you getting. When the weather is 50 or below, I'm getting around 40-42. I've been told that is too high for the turbo.

 

[Hohn]

40psi is, in fact-- way too much. You are risking catastrophic turbo failure.

The proper way to limit boost is with something a little more precise on the wastegate. Either with a 1)ball-and-spring boost controller from www.boostcontroller.com, or 2) with an electronic wastegate conversion using a Hobbs switch and solenoid valve to control the WG.

The former is cheaper, the latter is better.

In lieu of the 1. 6/TST combo, maybe you should consider the M4/no fueling box combo.

The TST/1. 6 combo will make a little more power than the M4s with no fueling box, but the injectors without the fueling box will burn more efficiently and with lower EGT at a given HP point-- say 400hp.

Bob Wagner has test the #9 combo plus Mach 4s with a Dodgezilla extensively-- you should call him or PM him about it. (www.wagnerandassociates.com)

One other nice thing is that stepping up to the larger Mach 4 injectors is a lot cheaper than adding a $550 fueling box.

The 1. 6s are GREAT injectors... but for a big 150hp injector, the Mach 4s are pretty clean- even in altitude. You might want to try SW #7 or SW #5 with them though, as Mach 4s with SW #9 will smoke pretty easily in high elevation-- it's just too much fuel too soon. I know because I tested them in Cheyenne WY (6100ft) extensively.

True, the TST gives you a little more flexibility wrt switching off a box. But I'd see no problem towing with a Smarty and Mach 4s with a Dodgezilla, given the somewhat light load (5K, right?).

I'm personally hoping to add a TST to my ecm/M4 combo in the near future. I need a wee bit more fuel

 

[NoSeeUm]

Two questions:

1. Did you cut in a switch and tie it into the yellow(pump) wire to turn off the Banks box?

2. What kinda boost numbers are you getting. When the weather is 50 or below, I'm getting around 40-42. I've been told that is too high for the turbo.

JTrueLove, the Banks box I was using before I got the Smarty has a Stinger Program. Its only connection was to the Can Bus.



Right now, after installing my new boost elbow, I am getting just over 30 psi of boost at WOT. Thats running on SW7, which is my favorite Smarty setting so far.



Thanks Hohn, I will take a look at the Dogdgezilla Mach 4 build. Like you, I can always add the TST fueling box later. But even with stock injectors I am already thinking I will get into fuel problems in a hurry. VP suction pressure drops to 7 psi at WOT. Thats with the stock LP fuel system. So I will likely have to brace up that end about the same time I put in a new clutch.



Jim

 

[Fishin Guide]

The answer to your title is simple.



"Too much is almost enough!"



Dave

 

[NoSeeUm]

The answer to your title is simple.



"Too much is almost enough!"



Dave

Yeah, no kidding. Honestly, I just can't exactly put my finger on the why. But maybe years ago toodling around in the Dodge Caravan might have something to to with it. The little in me boy still wants to play and the feeling I get from toodling around in my truck is just sinful.



Jim

 

[DWeiler]

i'm kind of going the way Hohn is(been reading and trying to gather as much info he and others"Bob Wagner" have posted on the TDR about the Mach 4's for a while now) ,ordered my Mach 4's from Bob aswell as the Smarty last week,going try this combo with my B1-2 for towing. Maybe even tow with the Mach 4's only or see how far i can turn up the Smarty loaded down,try and see,live and learn i guess. If not i can always put the old Mach1. 5's back in and try something else,lets hope it works out the first time with the 4's.

 

[NoSeeUm]

As an update, I have decided to have a SB OFE and a Helix 2 Cam installed before I do anything more. That is going to be done in a couple of weeks I hope. After that I am going to re-assess my options.



As of today I am still planning on using a DZ and probably going with M2's. This is after my conversation with one of the folks at Source Automotive and him telling me that M4's would be too much for the DZ while towing.



Jim

 

[darkhorse]

As of today I am still planning on using a DZ and probably going with M2's. This is after my conversation with one of the folks at Source Automotive and him telling me that M4's would be too much for the DZ while towing.



Jim[/QUOTE]

Rip certainly know his stuff better than I do, but with the Helix cam, I should think light towing with Mach 4's would be no problem.

 

[paulb]

As an update, I have decided to have a SB OFE and a Helix 2 Cam installed before I do anything more. That is going to be done in a couple of weeks I hope. After that I am going to re-assess my options.



As of today I am still planning on using a DZ and probably going with M2's. This is after my conversation with one of the folks at Source Automotive and him telling me that M4's would be too much for the DZ while towing.



Jim

Who are you going to have do the Cam install?



I would go with what Rip says on the injectors. He has been through this many times before. Plus if you are not happy with the setup he will take care of you. The Helix 2 will reduce EGT's and improve spoolup, all pluses at this altitude.



Paul

 

[NoSeeUm]

Who are you going to have do the Cam install?



I would go with what Rip says on the injectors. He has been through this many times before. Plus if you are not happy with the setup he will take care of you. The Helix 2 will reduce EGT's and improve spoolup, all pluses at this altitude.



Paul

Source Automotive is doing the cam.



Jim