Time for a turbo upgrade?

[BJonesUSA]

Evening gents....I need some advice. I recently added DDP 75HP injectors to my truck, and now she's blowing smoke like a coal train...not something I really want as I've grown older and wiser...I see smoke and think $$$. I drive fairly conservatively, but even driving easy I'm still smoking more than I'd like, and am thinking (based on the mods in my sig), that the only thing left to address is the turbo.

I do have the Banks QuickTurbo housing (I know, I know...I was young, dumb, and full of...big ideals), and it definitely made an improvement when I put it on back in '05. But since then, my truck (like me) has gained a few pounds through winches, bumpers, toolboxes/tools, etc, to the point I'm grossing almost 9000 just driving around with the essentials. I've never had her on a dyno, so I have no idea where I'm at power-wise, and she'll move when I need her to....I just don't like having to drive like a complete geezer to avoid rolling coal.

So here I am, asking for those who've "been there, done that, got the tshirt" to share your experiences, knowledge, and opinions as to if I should upgrade the turbo and what the most effective upgrade would be for everyday driving.

 

[NIsaacs]

What are your boost numbers and pyro temps at WOT, pulling hard? Have you tried all 3 settings on the EZ?

Nick

 

[BJonesUSA]

I've tried all 3 settings on the EZ, and set it to the one that smokes least. WOT it's pegged 33-34 PSI a couple times...my pyro gauge has been acting flaky since before I installed the injectors, so I don't have good data on EGT, to be replaced soon...but again, I'm a fairly conservative driver anyway, so WOT happens rarely.

 

[NIsaacs]

That's good boost numbers, should burn clean at that rate. You might need to get a different tuner so you can tune down the injectors at low boost. I assume there is only smoke at low boost? Is it clean at high boost?

I only have RV injectors, but on level 5 (Edge Juice) it will smoke bad at low boost so I have it set for the maximum low boost fueling and it is fine. This is with the oem turbo. It will run hot on the higher settings but not bad enough to change out a good turbo until I need one. It is hard to beat the HX35 for off idle spool and is good all day long at 32-34 psi.

Nick

 

[BJonesUSA]

Nick, yes once it gets spooled up, it burns fairly clean, and out on the freeway at highway speed it's ok. She just smokes at low boost as you said. Unfortunately that's where I drive most of the time, low boost, street driving, shifting between lights, etc.

So yeah, if a different tuner is what I need, I'm all for that....any suggestions? Been thinking about a Smarty to replace the EZ...

 

[NIsaacs]

I don't know anything about the Smarty only what I read. They seem to be fine, also the Quadzilla is popular now. I really like my Juice but some are not in favor of them. I have the CTS monitor and really like it. There are some members on here that are more qualified than I am, I am sure they will chime in when they see this post.

Nick

 

[BJonesUSA]

Nick, thanks for the input!

 

[petersonj]

So yeah, if a different tuner is what I need, I'm all for that....any suggestions? Been thinking about a Smarty to replace the EZ...

I have a similar truck as yours, but I still have the original stock injectors that have logged 293,000 miles. I have been using the Smarty for the past 44,000 miles (2 years) and I like the performance. It does offer several torque management settings for each tune that hold back fueling until boost comes on. For each tune you have several individual choices for torque management, timing, and fuel duration selections.

It may take a few trial settings, but you would probably find a tune that would work for your driving style. It takes about two minutes to modify and upload a tune, so it is easy to stop alongside of the road and make the changes.

With the tune that I use (about mid range of tunes) I can reach 32 psi boost at WOT. I have the torque management set to control smoke at low rpms, but still keeping a responsive throttle and lots of torque available by 1500 rpms.

- John