Mods Advice

[WarEagleDiesel]

I've had my 2009 6. 7 goin' on 6 months now, bought it new. 12,000 miles, no problems whatsoever. Daily driver to and from work, usually out on the highway on the weekends. I opted to not make any modifications due to the warranty void that I would incur. However, I have a couple questions seeing that many on here have chosen the mods route and have excellent input, positive/negative, in regards to what they have experienced as a result.



I'd like to install a cold air intake and functional "ram air" hood, but am worried that it might cool the exhaust just enough to prevent the regen from fulfilling its purpose. Also, I have read a little on here about many owners that have installed gauges to allow them to monitor many aspects of engine performance. Will said gauges void my engine warranty? If not, any suggestions on the latest and greatest? I believe a 4" exhaust is standard on all new 6. 7s. Would there be any advantage, or negative effects, to installing 5" from the manifold back to help it breath easier (of course keeping all of the necessary exhaust components)?



I'd like to make a few modifications, but don't want to sacrifice my warranty, dependability, or longevity. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Keep on truckin'.



RH

 

[Hoefler]

Cold air into the engine is always good. As far as affecting the EGT's, I don't think that it would effect it at all when in re-gen. The computer is going to control that aspect when you go into re-gen, with the amount of diesel it will inject into the exhaust stream to maintain the temperature for re-gen.



Gauges will not and should not void your warranty. If you dealer has a problem with it, find another dealer.



If you go to 5" exhaust and keep all the smog junk, you are wasting your money. You would effectively still have a 4" exhaust. Since the NOX filter, catalytic converter, and the DP filter will still be 4", you essentially will be 4".

 

[mgoncalves]

I'd like to make a few modifications, but don't want to sacrifice my warranty, dependability, or longevity. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Keep on truckin'.



RH

My interpretation of the 6. 7 is this; If you want to improve mileage, dependability and longevity, you have to risk losing warranty and get rid of the exhaust system. Some dealers are telling you to take it off (Not officially of course) while others must like the warranty work of cleaning turbos and replacing dpf's beyond cleaning.



My 6. 7 has 7,000 miles with no problems so far. I'm lucky enough that it's not my only truck so I am careful how it gets used, however after seeing the intake on some of the stock trucks after just 15,000 miles, I'm scared to drive it until the smarty vs xrt differences are all out in the open.



I know some dealers will give you the run around on warranty when they see gauges, you can thank the guys that try to get blown engines fixed for free after they added injectors and five different boxes for that. Gauges alone should not void warranty on anything other than whatever part you drill into for your senders.



Changing the exhaust including the muffler will do nothing performance wise or sound wise if all the emissions are left in place. Best to leave it stock or go all out, heck you even have to be careful what kind of tip you put on because of the heat involved with regen.

 

[brett_bartlett]

I am in the same situation as RHodgdon... I would love to modify my 6. 7, but I fear it will bite me in the butt. I asked my dealer what I could do to my exhaust to keep the warranty. They said "cat back" is o. k. Will a cat back system provide any benefit? What about muffler delete? Also, I want to do a cold-air as well..... What brand do you guys suggest??? Air Raid, Volant, etc???

 

[firemansdiesel]

DPF back exhaust will do nothing for sound or anything else other than looks (same w/ muffler delete). As for the CAI, the S&B seem to have good reviews about function & fit. The price can't be beat also, but the stock box/filter is pretty good on a stock powered truck.



If you want to keep your warranty intacted (no deletes) and have an itch to just do some kind of mod (engine wise), and money laying around. Get the CAI over the DPF back exhaust (if those are mods your thinking of getting).

 

[CUMMINZ]

On my website I have listed the mods I have made to my 6. 7L. I now have 37k on my 3 year old truck. I have added DPF back 5", better breather intake pipe, modded my factory breather to cold air, added a Smarty and I am now getting 18mph on the interstate. I am legal and dealer has no problem with my mods. I also have an engine that is good for the environment. I will also not have a problem with any state taking an exhaust sample. :-laf

 

[PFranzese]

CUMMINZ,



Your running these mods with the emissions system(EGR, NOx, DPF... ) completely intact?

How long has the smarty been on there? I have been looking for someone with experience using a smarty with the emmissions. Everyone seems to upgrade to the ME and deletes everything before the next regen can take place. How much of a difference do you feel with the smarty? Would you recommend the mods?

 

[Jim W]

I have taken a different approach, I am my own warranty station. After Chrysler shut down the dealer that I bought my truck from and then closed the local Dodge dealer that service my truck,I have decided to be my own warranty station.

The Local Chrysler dealer who was awarded the Dodge brand did not hire the Diesel tech from Dodge dealership that was shut down. When servicing my truck they would not even grease the prop shaft in the front. I asked and they stated that the quick lube rack was not set up for greasing. The kid who did the oil change would not even wait until the engine drain all of the oil out of it. I checked the dipstick and it was overfilled from the start, plus the oil change cost $135. So I am my own Warranty station.

I do not live in the "LAND of The Fruits and Nuts" so I do not have to comply with "CARB" rules.

I did delete my 4" exhaust and have gone to a 5" Turbo back exhaust with a Smarty and program to the ME software. Code free for 20K miles and I have gain a positive 3+MPG. My truck is an early 08 built in Sept 07 and I did have some issue with the emissions throwing codes, and the turbo was drilled to be cleaned.

JUst My $0. 02

 

[PFranzese]

Thanks TurboZ, I was hoping to hear from some more people about their experience using a smarty with the emissions intact. Sounds like the smarty may be very promising for those of us that don't want to or can't remove the emissions equipment.