Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Please critique these planned mod's...

[drag racer]

For all you guys who have done a lot more mod's to your rigs than me...



I have a '99 3500 4x2, AT, 4. 10 rear, and stock HX35 turbo. Truck is used mainly for occasional towing of my 10k trailer (no steep grades to speak of). Engine is power is stock; transmission internals are stock except for a shift kit. I have upgraded the air part of the equation with 4" exhaust, high-flowing air filter, and intake manifold. Overall, the truck does what I need it to right now just fine. I am only looking to just tweak the hp/tq and maybe the fuel mileage a little bit more at this time, without impacting reliability. I have no desire to crazy with the power mods. I am not really interested in using an electronic box. When the trans. needs a rebuild, I may upgrade the shafts, get a low stall converter, and add more power, but that is a ways off.



With that said, my final planned mod's for the time being are to install a set of Bosch RV 275 injectors, and a BD boost fooler and adjustable waste gate actuator to get the boost up to around 24-27 psig or so. I only get about 18-19 psig out of the turbo right now in the stock configuration.



I guess my main question is, will turning up the boost a little be of worthwhile benefit to complement the injector upgrade?



All honest and constructive feedback is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[coreyallan]

crack is the question?

Hey Drag racer, I would also consider a Bully dog Fluid Damper, this could only help your "53" situation. It seems that, as we all know, that 53's dont like the "mods" and I honestly believe that calming the harmonics would be a benifit. Also there has been conversation re: the correct coolent for the engine, and I seem to remember somthing to the affect of airation in the 53 as being a problem... Just a penny for your thoughts...

 

[drag racer]

Corey,



Thanks for the input. I didn't mention it, but I just bought a Fluidampr, and it along with the Flex-A-Lite electric fan kit is my next mod and are going on over Christmas vacation in a few weeks. Then after that, the injector upgrade, which is why I asked for more advice about kicking up the boost a little too.



One thing I have learned in my slow, methodical upgrade approach is that there is some decent power and driveability improvement to be gained even with stock engine by 4" exhaust, intake system, reducing parasitic losses, and the shift kit. I don't have dyno data, but my highly calibrated rear end says I'm up a good 20 hp or more, and the Trans-Go shift kit improved the driveability a ton. I won't list how many miles are on the truck for fear of embarassment, but suffice it to say it's very low for the year, and the truck is still basically like brand new. Once the motor and/or trans. need overhaul, then I will get into it a lot more.

 

[BILLVO]

Even though you are not interested an Edge EZ would compliment everything and give you the extra mileage also. You can pick them up used real cheap now.

 

[drag racer]

Even though you are not interested an Edge EZ would compliment everything and give you the extra mileage also. You can pick them up used real cheap now.

Billvo,



I took your advice as well as BD's about the Edge EZ being a better choice than what I was considering. Got a good deal on a brand new closeout on E-Bay, put it in yesterday with the boost elbow. Was only able to to take a short drive around the block tonight because it has been pouring rain all weekend and my truck is clean, but I can definitely feel a NICE difference over stock; with decent throttle but nowhere near wide open, the boost was already up to 25 psig, and wow, I never thought a big sled like these could move like that. Can't wait to see how the RV-275 injectors work with this...