Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) lift pump/ vp44 help

[BDeMartile]

I have a friend with an 01 2500 4x4 235hp all stock. His truck is on it's 3rd tpump/vp44 all dealer installed in 145000 miles. He's tired of spending 3k each time only to have it fail again. He is wanting at the same time to increase power (after 145k of empty driving he's buying a boat).

Three questions:

1. Where to get vp44 pump or have his rebuilt.

2. What lift pump system.

3. (my favorite) Reliable shop in bay area/sacramento area to do the work.



I guess there are 4 questions actually.



4. What performance mods, ie bang for the buck, hes thinking 300-350 hp reliability is of the highest concern.



Thanks in advance folks this is by far the greatest body of knowlegdge I knew to search in.

 

[LOtero]

if i were him i would fix the fuel delivery issue before even thinking of mods. a VP44 from industrial injection and a vulcan big line kit or other aftermarket pusher pump kit is a must and a fuel pressure gauge is also. after that, an edge ez and some mach 1. 6s would be a good choice for that kind of power and would stay cool.

 

[MVieira]

I feel the VP44 swap isn't that hard and he can go over and get a Bosch rebuild from Diamond Diesel in West Sacramento. If he wants a shop to do it I would recommend Imler's in Sacramento, they are usually fair and do good work. There is also Beckworth Diesel in Sacramento. They both specialize in the Diesel pickup stuff. I'm happy with my F1 mach 1. 2s and EZ but I'm thinking of replacing the EZ with the Smarty, that should have me in the 300 to 325 range maybe. Like LOtero said, "Fix the fuel supply first !"

Regards, Mike.

 

[d-iron]

I decided to fix the fuel delivery also, before any mods. I went with Edge juice /w Attitude, because it has fuel psi on the monitor. I also went with big fuel line kit. I was very happy with both mods. My mistake was thinking that a stock lift pump would make it , it lasted less than 100 mi after mods. The lift pump had less then 10,000 mi on it. I took cover off lift pump and found that it is a vein type pump. A vein type pump will work in a clean environment. Any dirt will kill the stock lift pump. That is why I went with Air Dog it is a gear pump with filters. One half hour drive with a 95 gph lift pump, you have just filtered 47. 5 gallons thru a 5 micron filter and removed the air from diesel. After Air Dog install I could use Edge - on level #3 drive the truck feels real strong.

________________

02, 2500 SB Q/C 4x4 AFE Edge /w Attitude Air Dog.

 

[Doug1810]

with the mods keep the trans in mind started the same way now my trans = junk



just my thought

 

[Joe Mc]

With stock charger, Don's 1. 6 (90 hp) sticks and Edge Comp (on 5/4) I made 387rwhp and 722rwtq @ Fall Brawl 06. If he has an auto trans I suggest just taking care of the fuel issues first. If the VP is working, why throw money at it or another one?



Then afterwards get the trans done so it will hold that 300 - 350hp, it'll be the best mod/bomb he can make, not the cheapest, the best. And, if he hasn't figured out that the hp/tq slope is very slippery yet, he will shortly after his first Bomb is in. You always want more! Sure, sure "oh all I want to do is get a little more horse power", then after you get a little more you always "want", a little more, and a little more, and a little more . . . . Fair warning to him.

 

[Doug1810]

I got bit by the bomb bug and love it .

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

BDeMartile,



1. Scheid or Industrial Injection

2. AirDog (have 130,000mi on mine, zero issues; pm me for dealer contact)

3. Don't know, not from that area

4. Smarty and small injectors, then a TST box if he wants to be more adventuresome



Godspeed,



Trent

 

[BDeMartile]

Thanks guys so far collectively you bring up some good points ill answer them all here,

1: VP 44 is on its way out gotta change it

2: TRansmission is automatic and yes before more power he should get it beefed up

3: Airdog is only lift pump suggestion I saw any other thoughts?

4: I may recommend that he does only a quality vp44 and a transfer pump upgrade he has no mechanical skill and bombs might jsut be opening a huge can of worms for him.

 

[LOtero]

i did a vulcan big line kit, holley blue pump, ebay fuel pressure gauge, for a total of about 160 bucks since i already had the holley. maintains 12 psi and can get down to 8, so i need to upgrade the pump, but it works and was cheap.

 

[CarneyJ]

Your VP44 should last long if you go with an Airdog but i chose to go with a FASS system. My edge juice w/ attitude gives me a great reading (digital). the FASS comes with bigger lines and you take the lift pump off. No more Problems. My fuel pressure hangs at 18-22 psi idle and never drops below 17 when it's to the floor. Remember that your Vp44 needs at least i believe 14psi to properly start!