New 2004 and EGR

[rustyrod]

I could not find the 2003 I wanted on the lot. I am tired of looking and calling around. Not as many 6 speeds as I hoped to find.

Anyways, it looks like the 2004 is going to be available the end of May for ordering. I heard from a dealer its around the 28th.

I can't find out if the early 2004 will come with out the sludge and soot rebreathing EGR system. I know it will eventually be a must for all us dieselers out there, but I hate to be the first out of the chute. A Dodge mechanic said it would not affect drivealbility, but I am not a believer yet. And... if you want to juice up the big 6 a bit, even more soot and yuuch gets sucked back in. Does anyone have a website that I could find out what is suppose to be in the new 2004 engines?

Rustyrod

 

[Barry]

My understanding is that the EGR rule does not go in effect until Jan. 04. I would think that the "early" 04s should still be "clean".

 

[kompressor]

I am also interested in the 04 model. Does anyone have info on options and changes to the o4 model?

 

[Gadgetman]

I just missed the deadline to order a 2003,the fleet manager that I'm dealing with says,the 04's can be "ordered" in about 6 weeks from today,and it should take 4-5 weeks after that to get the truck.

He also said the HO will be available in California now

and they will have available factory GPS,and some kind of hands free cell phone system. Anyone else hear of any other changes??

 

[Matt400]

Originally posted by kompressor

Does anyone have info on options and changes to the o4 model?

Rumor has it that QC's will get rear head rests.

 

[THanley]

Regarding your comment about "sludge and soot breathing EGR" and a drop in performance, I think you have been mis-informed.



1. Cummins uses "high pressure" EGR, not "low pressure" EGR which means that the exhaust gasses are mixed with clean compressed air after the charge air cooler (CAC) as it goes into the intake manifold. The result is no fouling of the CAC as with the low pressure method.



2. The EGR engines will have a variable geometry turbo (VGT) which increases performance and throttle response and you get exhaust breaking for free. The "big rig" drivers who are already using engines with VGT love the performance benifits.



Now, I'm not going to blow smoke up your a**, the drawback of meeting the EPA's new emissions will be a fuel economy penalty of ~5%.



That's the long and short of it. Cummins has over 100,000 VGT engines running in Europe and the US. The turbo is reliable and the higher grade oil compensates for higher soot levels in the engine.

 

[Peter Campbell]

Just the same- if I can swing it I will be ordering an "OLD technology" 2004 prior to the soot recycle system. My specs- No EPA soot recycle, SRW 3500, laramie, butt warmers, side airbags, HO/6speed. If I can not swing it this year I will wait for 15 PPM ULSD fuel and then look.

 

[MCrossley]

I love it lets save the earth by using more fuel yeah great idea... Funny now with all the crap on today's engines we are using more and more fuel to meet emissions I wonder if anyone has actualy done a study to see how using more fuel and the "lower emissions: are stacking up I would be willing to bet that by the time you figure in the extra fuel and extra emmissions that it counteracts what you gained just another way for the tree huggers to make more money just my . 02

 

[rustyrod]

EGR Blues

As a long time diesel convert, I have watched the technology come to a great height - we have 500+ HP CTDs in about every state and lots more building up to that power level. A diesel anymore doesn't mean a road slug. All that has come about through changes and we need to accept advancing technology.

But... , on my gas autos, 2 Honda V6's and a couple of others, I have had each one in for service on the EGR system. The price to repair them has been in the hundreds - I was saved $350+ on my 2000 Accord by a Honda Corp. extension to the Emission System warrenty to 60,000 miles.

The initials, E G R, just give me a rubbery knee feeling. Maybe the Cummins boys have done better homework on theirs but I think I'll wait to see how the new system works with other folks driving it.

Also, how does the EGR play into BOMB'ing the CTD? A whole new set of problems for the software boys? As it is, the third gen CTDs are a big enough challange as they are already. Time will tell...

Thanks for the infomation.

Has anyone heard the real, drop dead date when the 2004's can be ordered?????

Rustyrod

 

[Blakers]

I'm sure someone will quickly figure out how to disconnect it