TAG- Dyno Results and Bench Flow Testing

[KEarnest]

Kent, before you installed the TAG-III which TAG did you have installed (TAG-I or TAG-II)?



If the TAG-I, have you tried the TAG-II?



I am very interested in your acquired knowledge on this as I personally know you and very much respect your input.



TIA John

John, hey man, I don't know how I missed your post. I'm very sorry about that. John, I have tried both the TAG-I and TAG-II before trying the TAG-III. I used a prototypical TAG-I way back, I think you saw that one on my stock HX-35 at Rob Hanson's BOMB party. It did slightly increase spool-up on my stock HX-35, but what I loved the most about that one is the "muffling" effect it had on the turbo whine. I also saw an increase in fuel mileage of over 1. 5 mpg's.



I know a lot of guys take their silencer ring out and love the hear that turbo singing, but I like it quiet. I could hear the turbo whine pretty good when I went to the BHAF and the TAG unit eliminated the whine. I would buy one just for that one reason alone.



Next, I installed a PDR HX40/16 and special-ordered it from Rip Rook with a silencer ring. Dave Meheen custom made me a TAG-I unit for the PDR40. Unlike a stock HX-35, the HX-40's have a rough casting at the inlet, and with the inlet being out-of-round, a production TAG-I wouldn't fit. Anyway, the TAG-I definitely made a marked improvement in spool-up, along with lower EGT's, less smoke and increased mpg's. I used that TAG-I from August until March when Dave Meheen sent me a prototype TAG-II to try. I installed it and couldn't believe how much better spool-up was over a TAG-I. Then, last month, Dave sent me a TAG-III to try out and I was blown away with how fast the PDR40 spools up now. On the winding, two-lane mountain road I travel everyday, I would find myself debating on whether or not to shift from 3rd to 4th on some semi-straight uphill pulls because of the turbo lag. Now, I don't even think about it, I just hit 4th and keep on trucking.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Kent glad to hear your truck is back in order!



I recently installed a TAG III and like Dave says initial spoolup is a tad slower and I might have lost a bit off the top end but the midrange is better compared to the TAG I which I had in there. My EGTs are down about 25F cruising and boost is lower by about 1psi at cruising speeds (70). I was able to try it pulling a small camper and this is where the improvement is most noticeable.



I am wondering based on Kent's experience if the TAGs provide more of a benefit to the larger turbos?



Vaughn

 

[John]

Hey Kent...



thank you for responding here and for the PM.



Just so I understand correctly...



I have a TAG-I which has decreased my turbo lag somewhat (felt through seat-of-the-pants on the first test drive) however, no other performance benefits have been evident (i. e. , mileage or power). And that's ok, to me it was worth every penny to reduce turbo lag (PDR HX35 turbo).



I currently have in my possession both a TAG-II and a TAG-III which Dave was kind enough to send me to tryout. However, I'm not exactly sure when I will have my Ram back on the road, and I told him that. Dave stated that "whenever" I get the chance to try the TAG-II and the TAG-III, just send back the one I don't want and pay for the one I want to keep. That is more than fair although, I'm worried that he doesn't realize how slow I actually get things done and will subsequently think I'm trying to take advantage of his generosity. And nothing could be farther from the truth. So, I was hoping to make an intelligent decision as to which TAG to purchase (the TAG-II or the TAG-III)???? The reason for all my questions is because I intend to make my selection before I will probably have my Ram back on the road.



Back to wanting to understand the attributes of the TAG-II and the TAG-III...



it sounds as if the TAG-II further reduces turbo lag over the TAG-I as well as helping in the mid-range. My assumption is that it's the best low-end unit, and that is what I am looking for out of the three (especially considering my 3. 54:1 axle ratio and 34" diameter tires). It sounds as if the TAG-III is better from the low/mid-range on up.



Would those be correct analogies?



I gotta tell ya one thing, that TAG-II is so trick looking I just about want to polish it and leave it on my desk!!!! I was blown away at the quality of that bad boy!!!!



Anyway, I'm hoping between you (Kent) and Roger that you can get me squared away before I'm actually able to road test either.



TIA guys!

 

[KEarnest]

John, it sounds to me like you've got it nailed. You're right, a polished, tricked-out TAG-II would be way cool!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

John, based on my SOP experience I think you would be happiest with the TAG II for your truck. I misspoke on my last post, I did have the TAG II previously. For throttle response and initial spoolup that is what I would go for, especially for a truck that doesn't tow often.



Vaughn

 

[John]

Thank you Vaughn!



I will install the TAG-II and send Dave back his TAG-III ASAP.

 

[RAndrae]

tried the tag 111

In my 02 I switched from the first TAG to a TAG III, Noticed no difference.