Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) performance questions

[caleb c.]

I am going to purchase a 24v truck soon to rodeo in college with. (Can't use dad's nice truck anymore). So,my question is this,what are the best upgrades for these trucks?I'm a 1st. gen guy. I am assuming a edge comp and some kind of injectors. I have heard of the dd2's and the mach1. 5's and edm's and all that. But what works good for towing. I figgered I could run some pretty large injectors and turn the comp box off when towing. Won't that work?Of course that will be after intake,exhaust,and gauges. Also,will I be able to run the stock hx-35 turbo for long?(I am getting a man. trans. )or will it need to be upgraded soon after?Also,Is a 5in. exhaust so big that I will lose power by running it?I love the sound of the straight 5in. but it might be a little overkill. Thanks for any input.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

I have a 99 with the 24 valve, I run DD3's and an edge comp box, I have a 4 inch exhaust and a BHAF, I can easily pull anything I hook up to. I usually run the box on 2 when towing lighter loads and run it on 1 with sublevel one with really heavy loads. EGT's are easily manageable, and 99% of the time I don't even have to watch them very close. On the really steep hills and only when really loaded, I have had to back out of it a couple of times to keep them down. You will have more power than you should really be using when hauling live animals because they can't handle alot of stop and go driving, so you are going to be limited by what they can safely handle long before you have to worry about the truck. Just my opinion, but I really like the combo and when I want to play we jump to 5x5 and say bye bye. BTW this is with the stock turbo as well, I have had zero problems and plenty of power so I haven't messed with it. Might look at options if it ever needs work, but I will drive it like this until then. So far I have over 150,000 miles like this and my only real problems with this truck were from an idiot mechanic in Minnesota that screwed up my clutch transmission and transfer case, I wound up taking him to court and winning so that is done. The rest of the time I have had my baby running strong and well.

 

[caleb c.]

Great,thanks for the reply. I love the truck too,thats about what i'm looking for. Does it smoke pretty good with the dd3's and comp box?

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Oh yeah, I can black out an intersection pretty good. I try not to do that too much, but I have to admit there are days that it is just plain fun to shift and hear the turbo spool and the black smoke pouring out. Just plain love this truck.

 

[SHobbs]

Caleb

One thing you could do with the HX-35 is change the housing to a 14cm. I talked to Piers and they told me that the HX-35 is a great turbo and holds up well and can support a 14cm housing, but that is about the limit from what I was told. It is a cheaper upgrade than a new turbo. I am planning on changing mine when I get a set of Don's 1. 5's or 2's.

 

[joaker]

need fuel

Just my two bits, I have had a lot of customers disappointed with their 24v trucks due to the lift and injector pumps failing, big dollar repairs for most, personally I would be looking into upgrading your fueling system, maybe a FASS fuel system of something, seems like an expensive idea right away, but will be cheap insurance when it increases the longevity of your injector pump, plus you will quite possibly be able to wring more power out when you have an adequate supply of fuel at all times too, and yes, the compbox and injectors with exhaust is a good setup, as for the five inch, you will get mixed response, but to the best of my knowledge, a four inch system is more than enough until you start tagging the 450-500hp mark, I have heard of a power loss with 5 instead of four actually, so make of it what you will, good luck, the truck will bring a smile to your face no matter what anyways.

 

[caleb c.]

Great,thanks for the help. Now I just have to find a good truck to buy. And save up for the bombs!

 

[24V-DSL]

Even if you don't tap the pump wire for the comp, and if you run 80+ hp injectors, your clutch likely won't be happy.



Extrude honed injectors will generally smoke more and run hotter than EDM's. IMO, Don M's mach injectors are killers in any configuration.