Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Hello all,
I'd like to share some of my experiences with upgrades I've made over the last year or so, all of which I've come across through the TDR. They are as follows:
Bullydog Outlook monitor--This monitor was very easy to install, and I really like being able to monitor four parameters at once (pyro#1, pyro#2 I use for trans. temp. , boost, & fuel pressure) since the screen is divided into fourths. It has several other functions as well.
4" turbo-back exhaust--For this upgrade I installed the '04. 5 turbo elbow, and used a down & mid pipe (no kitty) from Stan's Mufflers. I chose the 51" Donaldson for this as I was concerned with noise/drone; I have not had any noise issues and the exhaust tone is nice & deep. I don't recall by how much this reduced EGTs; maybe 100-200 degs. ?
Goerend Transmissions--I installed their torque converter (reduces stall speed 200 rpm), valvebody, 1-2 strap & anchor, & hardened input shaft. I am very pleased with the results; the transmission shifts nice & smooth with no "hunting" in any gear, and the shifts aren't harsh, just smooth, firm shifts (especially with Smarty). I must say that the customer service provided by Dave Goerend is second to none. This was the reason I went with them to begin with, not to mention the reports of a quality product. I've not had any issues, & whenever I had a question, Dave was always more than happy to take the time & answer with very detailed technical information, & never was he short or hurried. When you talk to Dave you get an education. I can say, without reservation, that if anyone is considering a trans. upgrade they can be sure to get a top notch product, & customer service that will not leave them out in the cold once they have spent their hard earned money, with Goerend Transmissions.
Smarty--I first installed the 4. 4 beta program & was very pleased with the performance, except for the smoke, but this is a race tune. I have recently installed the Revo TNT & really like it. It is a polished/refined version of the 4. 4, with practically no smoke on the levels I've used so far (#1 w/ no options). This product has delivered where others have failed; i. e. , downloading programs from your computer, & constant updates & improvements.
EMS Offroad Manual Hub Kit--I chose the 35-spline kit that came with the Warn Premium hubs. The kit was very well made & came complete with everything needed for installation. EMS has very good customer service, and are a pleasure to deal with. Eric (owner) has taken very good care of me and my purchase. If there is ever an issue, he'll take care of it. I did notice maybe 1 mpg or more increase in fuel economy, along with greatly improved front-end feel/steering; it just feels so much lighter.
PSM Intake kit, CFM+ Intake, & Cool hose kit--After installing these items I noticed a EGT drop of approx. 200 degs. It was very easy with my stock turbo to get to 1300+ degs. , but after installation I noticed the same throttle input would see about 1100 or so degs. There is not much more noise than stock, and there does seem to be a seat of the pants increase. All of these were well made & easy to install. I like the CFM+ intake because it keeps the mounting bolts out of the path of air flow, & because the composite material most likely does keep incoming air a bit cooler than aluminum. Sadly, I don't have any before & after dyno info. for any of my upgrades; wish I had in order to quantify more precisely.
Trans. Temp. sender--I was given this information by member rbatelle. I was looking for a sender to connect to the pyro#2 screen of the Outlook monitor, & was told that I could have a custom sender made to suit my needs: a K-wire type sender to install in the trans. pan. Rbatelle recomended Omega Engineering, Inc. The sender was high quality, steel braided, & came with the connections I specified for a hassle free installation. Thanks for the info. rbatelle!
Mag-Hytec rear diff. cover--This provided an additional 3 or so quarts of fluid capacity and looks realy cool, not to mention it should help keep the rear end a little cooler.
Billstein Shocks--I chose the heavy duty (yellow) shocks as I my truck is stock height. They have improved ride quality considerably over the mushy factory shocks that probably lasted 15k miles?
This is but a brief overview of things I've done with help from this forum; there is so much great information available here. I am very glad to be a member, & thanks to all of you who have shared similarly, & have answered any of my questions.
Regards,
Joe.
I'd like to share some of my experiences with upgrades I've made over the last year or so, all of which I've come across through the TDR. They are as follows:
Bullydog Outlook monitor--This monitor was very easy to install, and I really like being able to monitor four parameters at once (pyro#1, pyro#2 I use for trans. temp. , boost, & fuel pressure) since the screen is divided into fourths. It has several other functions as well.
4" turbo-back exhaust--For this upgrade I installed the '04. 5 turbo elbow, and used a down & mid pipe (no kitty) from Stan's Mufflers. I chose the 51" Donaldson for this as I was concerned with noise/drone; I have not had any noise issues and the exhaust tone is nice & deep. I don't recall by how much this reduced EGTs; maybe 100-200 degs. ?
Goerend Transmissions--I installed their torque converter (reduces stall speed 200 rpm), valvebody, 1-2 strap & anchor, & hardened input shaft. I am very pleased with the results; the transmission shifts nice & smooth with no "hunting" in any gear, and the shifts aren't harsh, just smooth, firm shifts (especially with Smarty). I must say that the customer service provided by Dave Goerend is second to none. This was the reason I went with them to begin with, not to mention the reports of a quality product. I've not had any issues, & whenever I had a question, Dave was always more than happy to take the time & answer with very detailed technical information, & never was he short or hurried. When you talk to Dave you get an education. I can say, without reservation, that if anyone is considering a trans. upgrade they can be sure to get a top notch product, & customer service that will not leave them out in the cold once they have spent their hard earned money, with Goerend Transmissions.
Smarty--I first installed the 4. 4 beta program & was very pleased with the performance, except for the smoke, but this is a race tune. I have recently installed the Revo TNT & really like it. It is a polished/refined version of the 4. 4, with practically no smoke on the levels I've used so far (#1 w/ no options). This product has delivered where others have failed; i. e. , downloading programs from your computer, & constant updates & improvements.
EMS Offroad Manual Hub Kit--I chose the 35-spline kit that came with the Warn Premium hubs. The kit was very well made & came complete with everything needed for installation. EMS has very good customer service, and are a pleasure to deal with. Eric (owner) has taken very good care of me and my purchase. If there is ever an issue, he'll take care of it. I did notice maybe 1 mpg or more increase in fuel economy, along with greatly improved front-end feel/steering; it just feels so much lighter.
PSM Intake kit, CFM+ Intake, & Cool hose kit--After installing these items I noticed a EGT drop of approx. 200 degs. It was very easy with my stock turbo to get to 1300+ degs. , but after installation I noticed the same throttle input would see about 1100 or so degs. There is not much more noise than stock, and there does seem to be a seat of the pants increase. All of these were well made & easy to install. I like the CFM+ intake because it keeps the mounting bolts out of the path of air flow, & because the composite material most likely does keep incoming air a bit cooler than aluminum. Sadly, I don't have any before & after dyno info. for any of my upgrades; wish I had in order to quantify more precisely.
Trans. Temp. sender--I was given this information by member rbatelle. I was looking for a sender to connect to the pyro#2 screen of the Outlook monitor, & was told that I could have a custom sender made to suit my needs: a K-wire type sender to install in the trans. pan. Rbatelle recomended Omega Engineering, Inc. The sender was high quality, steel braided, & came with the connections I specified for a hassle free installation. Thanks for the info. rbatelle!
Mag-Hytec rear diff. cover--This provided an additional 3 or so quarts of fluid capacity and looks realy cool, not to mention it should help keep the rear end a little cooler.
Billstein Shocks--I chose the heavy duty (yellow) shocks as I my truck is stock height. They have improved ride quality considerably over the mushy factory shocks that probably lasted 15k miles?
This is but a brief overview of things I've done with help from this forum; there is so much great information available here. I am very glad to be a member, & thanks to all of you who have shared similarly, & have answered any of my questions.
Regards,
Joe.
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