Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) PDR HX40 ... should I or shouldn't I

[FATCAT]

OK ... I am planning on having 370's installed on the truck and I know that I will need a bigger turbo housing ... so ... should I just get the larger 16cm housing and the 4" downpipe or should I go for broke (and end up broke too) and order Pier's HX40?



I am not looking to go very fast (my max speed is 77 mph), my main concern is pulling heavy loads up hills with no problems and keep EGT's down (and maybe blow someone's doors off from a standing start once in a while )



I don't plan on puting in any govenor spring stuff since I believe that an engine only has so many rev's in it and don't need to hassen its demise.



Just the turbo housing and downpipe is $800 less then the PDR HX40 kit. Also I have almost 135,000 on the truck, but it drives very good and am planning to keep it for as long as I can (give it to one of the neighbors kids when its at the end of its life).

So I want to make sure I get my moneys worth out of what ever mods I do.



Would I be sorry if I just went with the 16cm housing? Is the PDR HX40 just for racing trucks? What about delivery valves ... are they needed with 370's?



I am planning on having these mods done in the first half of August ... so quick suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

FATCAT said: "I don't plan on puting in any govenor spring stuff since I believe that an engine only has so many rev's in it and don't need to hassen its demise. "



I find it odd that you refuse to put in a set of 3krpm governor springs and you graciously accept a much larger set of injectors... .



The only way you will hasten the demise of your engine is to operate it well beyond its design parameters. If you want to get technical, the 6BT engine in your Dodge Ram was never designed to have the Diamond-B 370 injectors installed in it..... as this marine engine has lower compression pistons and a beefier head gasket... just to name a few of the more important changes.



The 3krpm governor spring kit will allow your engine to rev to 3krpm... . but its not as if it's there all day/everyday. I may see 3krpm about twice a week... if that. The only thing the governor spring kit does is delay the point at which the governor begins to limit fuel... . thus giving you more power and much better drivability throughout the entire rpm range and increasing the usuable rpm range to either 3krpm or 4krpm depending on which kit you buy.



That's my $0. 04 worth...



Matt

 

[drawson]

Piers SUPER HX-40

Go for Piers Super HX-40. It is a great turbo for towing. I was really impressed on my Vacation to Calgary. I had very few hill that I had to kick the cruise off and slow down on to keep the EGTs in check.

 

[FATCAT]

HoleshotHolset ... question for you

HoleshotHolset, would you advise the 3K spring kit for someone who tows heavy loads?



My main machanic who takes care of my cars and is an old truck driver himself has always lived by the rule that an engine has only so many revs in it and that you should always drive in the highest gear available and keep your rpms low. That is what I am basing my stmt on.



Would you not advise using 370's in a 6BT truck that tows a lot?



I don't want to blow the thing up, just want more power up hills and getting out of wooded areas with a trailer load of wood (2+ cord) and other heavy material.



I want to make sure I don't over-do-it and end up melting the engine or blow the head gasket.

 

[John_P]

FATCAT:



Like "drawson" said, "Go for Piers' Super HX-40!"



By the time you have spent the money for a housing

for the HX-35 you could almost have the Piers HX-40!!

I ran one on my 96' and it really works well!! Much

better than a "stock" HX-40 and ALOT better than

an HX-35. Piers' HX-40 gave me 27 more RWHP than

the HX-35/12 and my EGT's are much lower!!



I wouldn't worry about the miles on your truck!

I have over 165,000 miles on mine and run the

truck very hard, both unloaded and while towing!



BTW, "HoleshotHolset" is giving you good advice

on the governor spring kits! Either the 3K or 4K

kit will give your engine a more "usable" powerband.

Believe me, the 12V engines are capable of revving

higher than the "stock" 2200-2600 limit.



Good luck!



----------

John_P

 

[JGK]

Don't do it!!

Don't listen to Drawson and John_P! They're breathing too much of their own smoke. Stay safe and buy my PDR HX35/14 from me...



... so I can get a PDR HX40!



Really, specially for towing I think it's your best bet. And I wouldn't sweat the governor kit. You'll like it. I've read here that the motor will go to about 5400 revs before it comes apart.



-Jay

 

[HoleshotHolset]

You guys all echoed my thoughts very well.....



In response to your question as to whether or not to use the GSK for towing... . my Dad's truck towed bone stock and like it is now. All we have done as far as fueling is a custom plate and the GSK..... with the stock springs defueling occurs way too soon and you can't get the load moving fast enough. He won't tow any other way now... . You can pretty much forget about cruising at anything above 77mph... without having your foot through the radiator. I can cruise at 85 with my foot barely on the throttle... .



Matt

 

[danandamy]

GSK

FATCAT, I too had your same attitude for a long time (years even) about the governer spring kit. All I can say is I WAS WRONG. If you go with the 3k GSK you still won't be in the red line. Instead of defueling at like 2,200 rpms it defuels like at 2800. Actually, after puting in the gsk, I realized that it was really starting to defuel at about 2000. It's a really nice upgrade... . don't be scared.



dan

oh, here's one more idea, why don't you buy the HX40 and I'll test it out for you first

 

[FATCAT]

How about the 370's?

OK,

I am about convinced ... but how about installing the 370's in conjunction with the 3k GSK and the PDR HX40 turbo?



Is this getting to be too much for what I'm planning to do ... mainly tow?



Would I need to install the heavy spring in the AFC and tighten up the wheel with these mods?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

You should be just fine with that setup doing towing... .



You only need to adjust the AFC if your low-end response seems a bit slow or if you don't like all the smoke... . but these adjustments are easy and don't require special tools or anything. Don't be afraid... . use the force!!



Matt

 

[FATCAT]

That does it!!!

OK,

you guys convinced me I'll be giving Piers a call soon. Will have to break into my Mad Money fund heavily and then some. Will have to make sure I get to the Master-card bill before the wife does or else I'll get the :--)



Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[zjones]

Who told you to keep the revs down while towing?? I've always been told the opposite (Piers, truck drivers, mechanics, ect. ). I have the 4k gsk & have had no problems running 3k to 3200 rpms for long period's of time. Though I've only had it on 8000 miles it's much easier on my clutch & drivetrain (before the 4k gsk my clutch would slip easily in 5th gear which made me let off the throttle (need a new clutch ) then I was lugging the motor which is much harder on it than rpm (higher pressure, higher egt's, ect. ). Now I can down shift & run 60-65 mph in 4th gear (3-3200 rpm) with lower egt's, lower water temp (30*+), & no clutch slippage.



By the way I'm very happy with the PDR hx40 for towing (which is what I do every day as part of my job).



I'm also looking at the 370db, but not sure what my egt's would do with them??

 

[Briar Hopper]

I know I have a 24 valve so it's not totally comparable, but I have the PDR Hx-40 on there, and I gotta tell ya, it rocks when it comes to towing. I love to tow with that turbo, it's born to it... .

I've hauled 14,000 lbs. and it kept my EGT's under control, and that was with DD3's and a PowerMax3 set on level 7 .

Blowing uphill past Fords, Chevvies, and big rigs.

 

[JHansen]

I'm getting one too... ... looking forward to it as the HX35 will have about the same chance as a snowball down south of keeping up to things once I step up my combo a little bit. Was an expensive phone call by the time I was through as I talked myself into an ATS manifold (tapped and coated) and a remote-mount BD exhaust brake before I was through! Should be a blast though... ...



Jason

 

[FATCAT]

The Poor house ...

JHansen,



looks like you and me both will be missing a mortgage payment and no new cloths and supplies for the kids for back to school. :{



Oh well, can't take it with ya.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Now the kids will refuse the new clothes and will want to take the truck every now and then instead... .



Matt

 

[John_P]

FATCAT:



You will LOVE the 370 Diamond B Injectors in conjunction

with the GSK!!



Those injectors will "wake that 5. 9 up" like you won't

believe!!!



One other thing,... . Piers' Modifiedl HX-40/16 was alot

better for towing than my B-1 is. It pulled better

off the bottom end, however, that may be because

I have a 12 valve.



Anyway, good luck buddy!!



---------

John_P

 

[Forrest]

John,



How does the B-1 compare to the Piers HX40-16 in EGT with lots of fuel, load & no-load?

 

[John_P]

Forrest:



The B-1 has slightly lower EGT's under all conditions

(loaded or unloaded) on my 96', however, they are

not substantially lower.



Under a heavy load (10,000+) I think the HX-40/16

has a slight edge over the B-1 (on my 96' 12 valve).

Piers' HX-40/16 "spools up" faster from a dead start

with those heavy loads and the EGT's are lower under

those conditions with the HX-40.



------------

John_P

 

[Forrest]

Thanks John.



I think that's telling me that there has been a ton of R&D into the PHX40. I'm not up to speed on the tech of it, but I'm guessing that the drive pressure requirement must be real low, as compared to the HX40.



Gonna have to take down the Money Sink & send it off.