Smarty Jr and Boost Elbow on '03

[CToney]

I just put in my gauges. I get 25 psi. I was wondering if I put on an adjustable boost elbow and set the boost to ~30 psi if I would gain any power. I know the turbo goes out of its efficiency map after 26psi. Is this ok to do with the stock turbo. One other thing my boost needle vibrates badly. They are Autometer Phantom II's. I haven't had this problem with the other gauges I've installed.



Thanks



CR Toney

 

[JJPage]

The performance gains you will achieve by adding an adjustable boost elbow, in my opinion, are not worth the jeopardy you will be subjecting your stock turbo to. It does not take much, to destroy the stock turbo.



I had all the fuel boxes in my sig, and the Smarty downloader, running with my stocker with the factory elbow. I could still smack 40 psi before the wastegate would open and allow the boost to settle back down.



I tried an adjustable elbow for a short period of time, and did not notice any "seat of the pants" difference. I put the factory elbow back in for peace of mind, my stocker is no longer on my truck, but it is still tight.



There were some posts about the vibrating needle problem, but I cannot remember the cure, some kind of "snubber". Someone else will most likely be able to help out on that one. Jess

 

[CToney]

Maybe I should just leave it alone. I would just like a bit more power.

 

[Gus's 03]

throw a programer or a box on it. air alone wont make for more power. your other post stated your only seeing 1100 so your still on the cool side. adding more fuel will push the turbo to higher presure on its own. your wastegate shuld alow for 30-32 psi with out a boost elbow.

 

[AH64ID]

He already has a Smarty Jr...

All the elbow would do is help with EGT's, until you got above the turbo map... . you would only get minimal hp... fuel makes hp, air keeps it cool.

 

[JJPage]

He already has a Smarty Jr...



All the elbow would do is help with EGT's, until you got above the turbo map... . you would only get minimal hp... fuel makes hp, air keeps it cool.

And,,,, all you are going to get is minimal help with egt's with a stock turbo!

Been there, but go ahead, it is your equipment, put a modified boost elbow on your stock turbo, add fueling, spin it up to 50# boost and pop it.



When the early twins program first came out, the people that were running modified boost elbows were destroying stock turbos left and right, the ones who retained the factory elbow were not having near the catastrophic failures.



If you want your factory turbo to live, or at least give it a chance to survive, leave the stock elbow in.



Still not a believer? Prove it to yourself, put the modified one in and see how little it actually helps with egt's on a stock turbo("03"). Aftermarket turbo is a whole different outcome.

 

[AH64ID]

Yeah. . you may see a 75* drop in EGT's... MAY. . but if you run it above the map you will actually raise EGT's... and destroy it.

Would a stock 04. 5+ turbo bolt up? You could just leave the electronic wastegate unplugged, and I have read the 04. 5+ is good for about 40psi... and they are cheaper than non-OEM snails.

 

[JJPage]

Yeah. . you may see a 75* drop in EGT's... MAY. . but if you run it above the map you will actually raise EGT's... and destroy it.



Would a stock 04. 5+ turbo bolt up? You could just leave the electronic wastegate unplugged, and I have read the 04. 5+ is good for about 40psi... and they are cheaper than non-OEM snails.

One of the main problems with the stock "03/04" turbo/exhaust, is the cast elbow off the turbine side , it starts at about 4" ID at the turbo, and then it necks down to something less than 3. 5" ID at the downpipe. This causes more of a restriction than I was originally willing to believe. If you change this out to an "05" elbow and a 4" downpipe, you will lower your egt's and increase your boost because your turbo will spool much easier.



Yes a "04. 5+" will bolt to the manifold, but you will still need to change out your downpipe. It is quite a chore for the small gain, you would be much better off with a PS62 or SPS62, or HTT has similar turbos, and you can pick them up very reasonable now with all the new/bigger/better products that are available.

 

[kblranch]

I have a Piers Bomberlite (a reworked 2004 turbo) and the factory 2005 exhaust from the 2005 Pac Brake back. With the Smarty Jr. and Bomberlite Piers recommended no more than 36 Psi boost. The biggest drop in EGT came from installing the Smarty Jr.

 

[CToney]

So an '04. 5 and up exhaust elbow and downpipe is what I need for better turbo performance. Where would a guy track a elbow and downpipe down at?

 

[AH64ID]

So an '04. 5 and up exhaust elbow and downpipe is what I need for better turbo performance. Where would a guy track a elbow and downpipe down at?

Look around here and other sites for guys willing to sell them. . . you replace it when you add an exhaust brake... or you could add an exhaust brake from a 04. 5+ (should fit????)... As far as the down pipe, same thing. . . look for guys who have replaced there exhaust. . or get a turbo back for an 04. 5+.

 

[JJPage]

So an '04. 5 and up exhaust elbow and downpipe is what I need for better turbo performance. Where would a guy track a elbow and downpipe down at?

Call Rip at Source Automotive in Portland, OR. , That is where I purchased mine.



Be sure and get the V-clamp that connects the new cast elbow to the new 4" downpipe, because you will not find one locally, unless you order from Dodge.

 

[kblranch]

Part number for the downpipe is 52121600aa and the part number for the clamp (downpipe to elbow) should be 52121285aa. You should be able to buy the 2005 elbow at Cummins also. When I did my change over I used a 2005 PacBrake instead of the elbow.

 

[CToney]

Thanks guys. A buddy of mine had a Jake brake put on his truck when new. I'm hoping the dealer has his elbow kicking around. I'll keep the parts numbers in mind.

 

[KLeminks]

One other thing my boost needle vibrates badly. They are Autometer Phantom II's. I haven't had this problem with the other gauges I've installed.

My first diesel was a 95 powerstroke and it had the same problem. Turns out it had a boost leak. I had to build an adapter to pressurize the system and found the leak where the two sides of the turbo bolt together. Resealed that and fixed the needle problem. I think it helped lower EGTs too.