Looking for good advice

[THall]

Im looking for some reliable opinions on performance upgrades for an everyday driven '04-'05 HO Cummins 2500 with an automatic trans. I have not purchased the truck yet and so I would rather make the right choices now on certain options. To give you a feel for my objective- I would love an SRT-10 with four doors, a towing capacity and decent fuel mileage. Is that asking too much? I believe the closest I can get to this is via the Cummins of which I am partial already due to my '92 Ram 2500 and '02 Ram 3500. My intentions are to give the new 2500 the look of a Sport Ram or SRT-10 via ground effects, wheels, suspension, etc. and give the engine the performance upgrades it needs to have a tire burn'in, asphalt eat'in, Ford squash'in, neck wrench'in, Chevy eat my dust kind of truck. All in a reliable well mannered vehicle. Which brings me to some questions for those who have experienced pros and cons in trying to fulfill the "I want it all" syndrome.

The questions are:

1- Am I better off with 4x2 and 500lbs less weight or 4x4 and more traction? (I've been told that people run them in the 1/4 mile in 4 wheel high for the traction gains)

2- 4:10 or 3:73 gears ?

3- Which upgrades? (Ex. - Computer, exhaust, fuel, air intake, turbo, intercooling, transmission, etc. )



If I could get low 13sec. 1/4 miles on street tires I would be more than satisfied. Or maybe that is too much to ask for.



Either way, any input you may have would be greatly appreciated.

 

[EMD-Run8]

You might have little less trouble modifying an '04 305/555 motor. I don't think there's much available for the 325/600's yet besides exhaust system's and such. Also, I'm a 6-speed guy but you'll probably have to put some money in the 48re transmission to make it survive with the kind of power your wanting to make. Oh, and don't waste your time and money on 4. 10's unless your needin' to run big enough tires to justify them. Just my 2 cents.

 

[catoiler]

TST makes the box for the 305 or 325 hp motors. 4" exhaust,twin turbos,pusher pump,afe air intake,and some trans and converter upgrades should do 13. 00 no problem. me I like 2x4 but the guys with the 4x4's do good in the 1/4 but not much mph.

 

[Car_nut57]

Hopping up the new truck

4x2 or 4x4, your choice, if you are trying to look like the SRT-10, then maybe the 4x2 gives the stance you are looking for with locking differential for traction.



I would go with the 3. 73 gears to get the top end you are looking for and keep the engine in its power band a little longer in each gear.



As for the power mods, aFe air intake, Di-Pricol gauges with pillar mount, Banks Monster exhaust with Six-Gun and Speed Loader. Banks High Ram and possible a Turbo Air Guide (TAG). This is a combination you can use as a daily driver as well as hot rod at the strip.

 

[CumminsBu]

On the show Trucks they said that the SRT-10 will be available in a Q-cab in 05.

 

[Diesel Nut]

I think to get to 13's your looking at a little bit of money! There are some people loyal to Banks, I don't like their stuff myself. The TST box will be the best bet in my opinion to get you there, BUT, If you want to keep the turbo in one piece, you HAVE to run twins. Exhust and intake never hurt. The transmission surely will be in trouble, but I don't know, I'm a 6 speeder. Talk to Peirs (1-604-888-4159) about twins (he has em on his) and possible trany problems. Real knowedgeable guy. 3. 73 gears for sure, with the tq numbers you'll be putting down, you can really pull hard. I know you want the srt-10 look, but a 2wd dually would give you a lot of traction with a locking diff. Talk to as many different people as possible and mix and match the info you come up with to your liking. There are pros and cons to everything, and sometimes what someone really likes, you may not like the sideaffects that they are ok with. Glad to see you are researching before getting ito it. Good luck.

My 2 cents