OK, done this, so what's next?

[Jim Ross]

Just got the Sun Coast torque converter, valve body + shift kit put in and I am running a Diablo Power Puck and I have the AMSOIL dual by-pass oil filter set up. I'm thinking the next move should be 4" exhaust and maybe a BHF air filter. Since the air filter is the least $pendy of the two, that's probably my next modification. I've seen the actual filter, but how are most of you mounting it? The stock air filter box comes out and then how is the BHF stabilized? Is there a bracket or something that I need to get to mount it under the hood?

Thanks for the answers!

 

[LSMITH]

Jim, why are you thinking of making the changes to the airbox and the exhuast? The reason I ask is the only benefit I see to the mods you are thinking of is they are cool looking and sounding. I personally have not put the BHAF in because I have seen water in that area of the engine compartment after driving in the rain, I also see salt spray from snow control on the airbox as well. That is plenty of cause for me to not consider it any further. I have little to no turbo lag and no EGT trouble so the only reason I was thinking about doing it was because it looks cool. I went to a straight 3" exhuast so it would sound better and noticed zero difference in spool up of the turbo. EGT was not a problem before and I noticed little change in EGT after. Now I am getting tired of the sound and am thinking of a 4". I heard a straight 4" this weekend and it was super cool sounding.



If it were me I would go after some more power now that your transmission is addressed and spend the money there. MHO, hope it helps.

 

[Slightly Modified]

Hey Jim how do you like the Suncoast TC and VB? I have been thinking of going with their setup only because the transmission shop I use uses their products and I have gotten in good with the owner.

 

[Jim Ross]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your responses. I am trying to take the safe route and do the upgrades to my intake, exhaust, transmission, etc. BEFORE I start adding power to the engine... . so that is why I am looking to improve air flow and exhaust flow... so I'll be ready AND safe when I start adding power enhancers. Tell me... what type of 4" exhaust did you hear and like? Was it 4" all the way from the turbo with no resonator and what type of muffler?

As for the Sun Coast... . I'm sure no expert and I don't do much pulling, but the converter locks up at around 12-1300 RPM or at least I think it does... as soon as I put it in "Drive" and touch the accelerator pedal, the truck begins moving. It is sure different than the stock converter, where I got lots of engine noise and RPM's before any thing moved. I had the work done at Carson Dodge (CC, NV) and they have done several Sun Coasts as well as a number of BD's. I was told they were getting excellent service from Sun Coast and that since 9/11 there had been a few times when shipping was pretty slow from Canada. According to the service manager, the transmission techs at the dealership have a very slight preference for Sun Coast in the installation work; however I have no personal knowledge in this area. They did tell me that the install on my truck required 2 pan drops to get the pressure adjusted correctly and that they had done 1 truck that required 18(!!!!) pan drops before they were able to get the correct adjustments..... I don't know if I would have agreed to the work if they had told me that up front as that requires a lot of labor hours and a lot of ATF (and $$$ if you use AMS/OIL ATF like I do). So, all I can advise is for you to make double sure your transmission shop folks REALLY understand what is required before they take on the job.

As an aside, I drove John Holmes' (writes in the TDR Magazine) '00 truck before I had my work done and John's truck really drives sweet! SMOOTH as silk shifts... . but John tows with his truck and he has had more driveline work done than I had done. He also has an engine brake and line lock and all sorts of extras that I don't have. I didn't have a beefed up exchange transmission put in... and that is something that I might regret later, I just don't know at this time.

Still looking for some info on a bracket or other install info for the BHF!

Thanks.

 

[JR2]

I have a Diesel Dynamics 4" Exhaust and love the sound it makes. But in your (and my case really) all the 4 inch does is sound good. It is really not a necessary upgrade unless you are going to tow a bunch. I would reccomend changing the muffler on the stock system or going to a straight pipe stock system if the noise is not offensive to you. That 400 dollar savings can go a long way toward injectors or other improvments.



As for the BHAF, I have one in a Mallory mount. Mallory is a member here and was cutting/bending them for folks. I know he posted the pattern on here at one point and I read yesterday in the Products forum that someone was going to start cutting them from stainless steel if Mallory would okay it. Search for Mallory mount and you should find some info. To see a pic of the BHAF and mallory mount click the link in my sig.



JR2

 

[LSMITH]

Jim the 4" system I heard last weekend was a system put together from parts by some members here in the area. I believe it is made from a Jardine downpipe and a Walker tailpipe with a long straight pipe in between and a stainless 5" tip sourced by another member. I was told that the total cost is less than $200 with buddies providing the labor. No muffler or resonator in it at all, it is offensively loud but sounds great.



FWIW the OEM exhuast and air induction can support over 300 rear wheel HP with no problem at all, and considerably more if the muffler is removed or exchanged for a free flowing type. DD2's and an EZ for sure before it needs help. If you tap the pump wire you are going to need a lot more than a big filter and a big exhuast to control temps.



I still vote for more power instead

 

[Jim Ross]

I just can't go with no muffler... ... I can't be that mean to my neighbors... . I leave for work at 5:45 a. m. I think I could get by with 4" pipe, no resonator and a free flow muffler of some sort, but I think going the "no muffler" route might stretch the good neighbor relations we have!

Also, I have one of the newer trucks with the "compression bent" pipe, so I really do think I need to upgrade in this area.

Come springtime when I can ride my 2 wheeler and won't need the truck every day, I hope to get my truck into a shop and have some power added. Right now the only power enhancement I have is the Diablo puck.