Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Propane v/s Nitrous

[Blacksdieselhp]

I want to know which one is better on the 24 valves. I've heard propane is hard on the head gaskets and it really wasn't very powerful on the 24 valves. And I've heard nitrous is the way to go on the 24's. But then again I've heard that nitrous on a diesel will definately cause severe engine damage. I want to know which is the best and will they work well together on the 24 valve and whose turbos/injectors work the best with nitrous or propane or both.

 

[Jetpilot]

I will try and answer your questions as currently I have both on my truck. With the N02 I would highly recommend O-ringing your head. If you elect not to you will become very good at replacing headgaskets. I have made over 250 extra HP using N02. But, unless you run really BIG injectors gains of this amount are not possible. The N02 helps to burn the unburned fuel during combustion. A good rule of thumb is the more smoke you have while ON boost the better N02 responds. N02 is also expensive to run... . I can get about 2 runs down the 1/4 with a 15lb. bottle, and at $3. 75 and up a lb. it gets kinda pricey.



As for propane some guys have had gasket problems there as well although the ETH's seem more prone to this problem with propane than the ETC. You can see gains of 40-100 HP using propane. You must be careful about detonation using it because now you have a fuel being introduced with the air. But propane is cheap to run and doesn't cause smoke.



I guess what I am saying is if you want to run it everyday or ay least a lot I would consider propane. If king of the dragstrip is what you are after go for the N02 and big injectors. But as with all mods try to expect the unexpected.



Doug

 

[HeberRam]

What's best????

Black... . you've asked a lot of good questions, and like myself and Jetpilot and others, have done a lot of R&D and I have blown at least 3 head gaskets and two turbos on my HO. This doesn't come cheap... What Jet has to say is correct, however, there are too many variables to give you a definate answer. Altitude, injectors, turbos, fueling boxes, propane, NOS jet sizes, single stage vs multi stage, stock head gasket vs o-ringed are just to name a few. . Hell I'm still fine tunning... . Like Jet said it all depends on what level of performance, and your'e ultimate goal is what will determine your best course of action... In any case, don't take these up-grades lightly or be prepared to pay the price.



This response, was intended to have you do a lot of reasearch and thinking before stepping into the dark side...



Steve

 

[Blacksdieselhp]

I am not going to use either one except for on the strip and maybe an ocassional test drive. I know you can't say for sure, but how long will the head gasket last if I only used the steriods at the track? Where and how much to get head o-ringed? Who makes the best nitrous and propane kits? Thanks for the help.

 

[TxDieselKid]

It is hard to say when your headgasket will blow, as it could be the first time you use it. I would get my head o-ringed before I ever add NOS or propane. For that I would look up Nowel(HVAC) @ 650-726-6999 or Performance Diesel.net



As far as the best kits? Diesel Dynamics has got to have THE NOS kit. For propane I would look at Bully Dog's. There are other kits out there, but these are very well known.



Andrew

 

[Jetpilot]

I would not use either without an O-ringed head..... Mine lasted 5 dyno runs and then let loose! Boy what a mess it made. The choice is yours either do the O-ring on your schedule or be surprised and have to do it when it lets go.



Now as for the best nitrous kit, my vote goes to Bully Dog http://www.bullydog.com/ ! Their kit comes in several different setups from mild to wild. Most of them come standard with the larger lines, solenoids, and bottles. Their propane system works very well also.



Piers http://www.piersdiesel.com/

did my head for me. You can ship yours out and he will accomplish the task or he usually has some in stock that he can just do an exchange providing your is a good core.

 

[willyslover]

. . Black... . ETH ??? did you change to an auto ? if you got the auto with the truck new then you don't have an ETH... it is the high output that came with 6 speed only trucks. . just wondering







OOOOPS read futher and the auto is your "99

 

[BPINE]

IMO the propane is and everyday use HP enhancer I never turn mine off and have been running it about a year and a half but for the track N2O is what you will need. As said above when you do these types of mods all bets are off and you better be ready for anything. Do your research and listen to the guys that have been there like the above. You will never be done tinkering if you take this route, heck I had to wake up an hour early this morning to finish up another turbo swap before I could go to work.



Blair