New to me 03. What to do out of the starting gate?

[MarkEkberg]

New member here. Nothing was done to the truck. It is a 03 3500 crew 6 speed with 175K on the clock.



I am moving from my 96 stroke which I was very happy with. Did all the normal stuff to it including injectors to make 300hp at the wheel.



I have heard and rad about how "easy" it is to make power with these?



Will be doing the following in the near future.



1. Did the Baldwin filter

2. Gages for boost and pyro

3. Straight pipe exhaust (Down pipe looks good compared to the one I had on my stroke)





4. Some type of upgrade for power/mpg.



When I did my set-up on my stroke I upgraded injectors and had a 6po chip that gave me the best of all worlds from a mpg de-tune, to all out hp. I assume there is something like this available?





Lastly is there any issues to be aware about I need to address with this 5. 9/6speed set up? I know everything has its quirks.

 

[cerberusiam]

Welcome and congratulations on your new toy and best friend.

The Bladwin filter is a start now a Big Line Kit witrh a 3 um filter from Glacier Diesel between the OE filter and the CP-3 and th enew injectors you are getting close to having to buy will be much happier longer. A 175k the injectors are a big question. Somewhat it will depend on the PO habits and the quality of fuel but generally by 200k start planning for a new set.

A boost and EGT gauge is a great start, now, you need some fuel pressure monitoring. Both to catch issues before they become so and troubleshoot problems may arise. Depending on where the lift pump is on your truck the low pressure gauge, up to 40 psi, will become important. If you still have the LP in the back of the filter housing find a replacement or look at doing something different. If it is in the tank, same applies. You want to know when you don't have enough fuel to the CP-3 when adding power.

A rail pressure gauge for the high pressure side is an excellent investment and tell you developing problems and help diagnose them. Especially adding a tuner, gauges are your friend and one can never have too many.


The exhaust is your choice, I think a straight pipe is just obnoxious but some like it. Thje 03's only had a 3. 5 inch down pipe, 04. 5+ had a full 4" inch exhaust that will take you all the way to 700 HP. Many options available for new exhaust.

Smarty hands down for a tuner on an 03. Best of market for that year truck and with UDC you can develop your own tunes if you care to play with it.

Other things to think about, turbo is small on your truck. Small compressor and small exhaust. Once you add power it is maxxed almost immediately. If you are going to play and tow a good upgrade is highly recommended. The Nv5600 is a solid transmisison if treated right. It doesn't like being shifted without the clutch or speed shifted. Quickest way to tear up synchros. There are long discussions on the best fluid and over filling if you search for them here. Best to let you absorb that info and make your decision.

To help anyone understand you questions, fill out your signature. That is the truck description that shows at the bottom of my post. List year, transmisison, gear ratio, cab configuration, tire size, any mods, etc. When you come back and say "I have a bad vibration in the front... " and I see you 35" BFG tires I cna suggest where your problem probably is.

To add a signature hove over the Duscussion Forums menu item at the top of this page and select User Control Panel. In the left menu pane that wil display select Edit Signature and enter your truck particulars.

Good luck and welcome.

 

[MarkEkberg]

Thanks for the info. Not entirely sure what all the terms you used are, but I will start reading and learning.



Of course as if on cue all my windows quit going up and down today. Ahhhh the love of owning used vehicles.

 

[JJPage]

My driver's door controls have always worked, but the other doors are hit and miss, sometimes they work sometimes not. As I am usually the only occupant it has not been a big deal, some folks have found broken wires in the wire loom at the door hinges, others have found broken solder joints on the driver's door main control board. Here is a link from a different forum with pictures for a possible fix. Oh, Welcome to TDR! Jess
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3...140614-window-problem-answer.html#post1507086

 

[MarkEkberg]

Just looked at the smarty tuner. Out of curiosity why are they offering different HP tunes with and without timing differences?

I am sure it has been beat to death so please bear with my ignorance.

 

[cerberusiam]

So you can stack with another box that does timing.

 

[MarkEkberg]

So if I am just looking for a regular plug and play and not planing on changing the rotation of the earth I would want the tunes with the timing changes?

 

[cerberusiam]

The advanced timing tunes change the TQ curves on the engine. You get a much more 12V like TQ curve with peak being around 2000 rpms, and, it increases the efficiency of the engine. It depends on what you are trying to do but genrally SW's with timing are a good thing.

 

[MarkEkberg]

Ok. Thats was what I was gathering, but was not sure.



So i guess the hunt for a smarty beging.