MDeLuca said:
My 2001 3/4ton Dodge has a factory high output motor. Is the power achieved by mechanical means (i. e. injectors) or is it a computer enhancement? Or maybe both?
I am looking into upgrading my HP and torque for pulling an 11,000 lb. trailer. Has anyone used the Banks 6-Gun system? How does it compare with similar upgrades like Bullydog or Edge and others? How about cost vs. horsepower?
Since I'm in Nevada, where do you recommend having the upgrades installed and where can I buy them?
Your 2001 HO truck (which came only with a 6-speed trans) has both electronic and mechanical means of power enhancement. But the only mechanical thing you can do is bigger injectors.
The Bank$ 6-gun system is only available for 2003 and newer Dodges, so that's not an option for you.
In general, you will find that BANK$ stuff is pretty good, but you can do JUST as well for a LOT LESS MONEY by choosing other products.
It won't take much to give your truck PLENTY of power to pull that 11K load with ease. Here's what I'd recommend:
First, guages. You MUST monitor at least EGT and fuel pressure. FP keeps an eye on your pump, while EGT makes sure everything is safe.
Then, airflow increases. This means 4" exhaust (with hi-flow muffler or none at all). For intake, there are a number of systems on the market. A good lower cost option is the BHAF (big honkin air filter), NAPA P/N 2790. It's also available as Donaldson B105006. Prices range from $30-$60 depending on where you buy it. For a higher-end option, there is the Scotty intake system from
www.scottysystems. ca-- this is my personal favorite.
Once you've opened up the airflow a little bit, you can add more fueling (THIS is what will increase power). You can either do electronic stuff, like an add-on box or a custom ECM program, or you can do larger injectors-- OR BOTH
Larger injectors give smooth power delivery that doesn't strain the injection pump, but they have the disadvantage of not being able to be switched off. They are always on, and will permanently change the feel and response of the truck. Personally, I LOVE LARGE INJECTORS. THe higher-quality ones don't smoke much at all. I have 150hp injectors and they are very clean. Diesel Dynamics makes some decent injectors, but I'm MUCH more impressed with the F1 Diesel injectors I have now. They are the "Rolex" of injectors, imo. There are also a lot of guys reporting good results with Edge Jammer injectors, which I have no experience with. The Jammer injectors are lower cost than the F1 injectors are.
An add-on power box is very popular, and most can be switched off if you wish. TST, Edge, and Blue Chip are the biggest players.
www.tstproducts.com
www.edgeproducts.com
www.bluechipdiesel.com
Any power box that makes more than 70hp WILL violate your injection pump warranty!!! This may be a factor for you, because if you pump goes out, you'll have to eat the $1200 w/o warranty. Or, your warranty may be out anyway, so who cares.
There's also the option of a custom-programmed ECM. This is sort of like the injectors in that there's no way to switch it off. But it gives the truck off-the-line response like NOTHING ELSE-- period. No power chip on the market can do what the ECM can. TDR member Bob Wagner is the guy to talk to about ECMs, or visit
www.wagnerandassociates. biz
Since you are in Nevada, I would *HIGHLY* recommend a trip to Diesel Dynamics in Las Vegas. They can sell you anything you can think of, from mild towing increases to 800hp wild! They sell Edge Products and have their own injectors, cams, nitrous systems, etc. They are one of a small handful of "one-stop" shops that can do everything from install a power box to rebuild the entire engine. They also dyno test things there, too. They can install your gauges for you and all that, too.
www.dieseldynamics.com
Check out the "configurator" from DD that tells you what you need for whatever hp you want.
PM me if you have more questions.
Justin
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