Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Time to add power & I have questions!

[Jim Ross]

First off, I have not visited the site for many months, so please forgive me if I am asking questions that you are all tired of hearing; and second, many thanks to all who offer their input and suggestions!

My truck: 2001 4WD Reg cab with AT and LSD, with 25K miles. Current transmission modifications: Sun Coast low stall speed torque converter with modified valve body & shift kit and BD pressure lock kit. Current engine modifications: Diablo Power Puck and AMS/OIL in everything including by-pass filter kit and air filter.

I live in Reno at approx. 4500 ft elev. and I want to add more power (within the limits of my transmission). A local shop is suggesting 4" exhaust with no muffler and a bigger turbo and gages. I think their installed prices are a bit steep: $800 for 4" aluminized mandrel bent exhaust, $2000 for the bigger turbo(w/ exchange) and they don't tell me the brand of the turbo, and $600 for 2 Hewitt gages on an A-pillar mount.

What do you guys think? I honestly had been contemplating adding the 4" exhaust after reading the article in the last TDR magazine. Is the bigger turbo worthwhile? Are the prices quoted by the local "expert" fair? Besides warranty issues and the cost, are there any major negatives involved(decreased mileage, reliability, driveability, etc)?

Thanks again for your help and suggestions!

 

[LSMITH]

There is NO need for a turbo swap, or the 4" exhuast. The gauges are more expensive than you need to spend. The FIRST mod you need is a fuel pressure gauge, then a pyrometer. Then get some injectors, a set of DD2's would be great and your transmission should be OK if you take it back in and have them re-calibrate for the increased power.



The shop sounds like a bunch that I would steer well clear of.

 

[Hohn]

HI Jim. LSMITH is giving good advice. You DON'T need a turbo. Since you have the standard output motor, I would say an Edge Comp would be the best long term-bang for your buck. Just keep it on the lower levels and you will be fine. If you run it up to the higher levels without a pyrometer (to measure EGT) you will be sorry.



Ted Jannetty has a good post on this, and it is here



In short:

1) fuel press gauge first. HAVE to keep an eye on the lift pump bogey

2) PYRO

3) Edge Comp



Be prepared to spend a little more money on other bombs once you go with the comp. Beware of the addiction, as they say...



HTH



HOHN

 

[BFC]

I would stay clear of those guys. You can get a 4" exhaust from Summit for 299$, a turbo from Piers ( which you don't need) for 650$ and you get to keep yours. You can get a full complement of gauges(pyro, transmission temp, boost & fuel pressure) for around 5/600$ give or take.



I'd get a set of DD 2's and the 4" exhaust (but I wouldn't get a sticker from the shop that gave ya the quote) and see if your happy. After a transmission adjustment, you'lll be good to go.



Looks like you would pay 1800$ for labor... ... ... ... I'm sure some TDR members would help ya install the stuff or a drive down to Vegas at Diesel Dynamics may be worth it.



Just my 2 cents,



Glenn

 

[BillGotthelf]

Good advice guys. Get the gauges first. Injectors next-I am running 275's but am considering DDIII's-you might want to consider TST's Powermax 9 instead of the Edge-you get 9 levels.

 

[Hohn]

forgot to mention

Jim, I forgot to say this: since you have the auto transmission, you have the smaller housing turbo. If you aren't looking to crank the wick up that high, this is great, since the smaller housing gives great spool up.



If you do want to go a little higher, the small housing will quickly become a choke point and your EGTs will go through the roof!!!



In short, you WILL need a turbo *IF* you are adding more than 100HP or so... .



YMMV

HOHN

 

[Jim Ross]

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for the input. I still have a couple more commments, tho. Just about everyone I have talked to here in Reno has told me that adding bigger injectors is not the way to go because of our thin air (4400 ft above sea level)... ..... so, how say you guys? And, since I have an AT and consequently the smaller turbo housing..... is swapping to a bigger turbo still a waste of money? With the Diablo Puck, I am guessing I have already added approx. 60HP and I would like to end up with about 300HP if you all think the transmission (with exisitng mods) will stand it.

No question about adding the gages and 4" exhaust, I plan to do those things. I am assuming if I need to go to a bigger turbo that I should do that at the same time I do the 4" exhaust or I will likely have to re-do the exhaust to fit the larger turbo housing... . ?

Lastly, I am not beyond tackling some of this stuff on my own or with assistance from local TDR folks if they are available and willing! I just want to do the "right" stuff and hopefully not go too far wrong on anything or buy a bunch of un-needed or over-priced parts. By the way, the Hewitt gages the local shop showed me were really nice looking and the boost gage went to 50psi. Their background was black and they had white markings with illuminated needles.

 

[LSMITH]

For a good running solid 300 RWHP buy a set of DD1 injectors and a boost module. Keeping the puck you have will put you right there, you may want to add a free flowing muffler, but it really won't be necessary. ALL you need to get the power and use it safely is a set of DD1's. A turbo swap is surely overkill on a large scale. If you have the budget for the turbo I would use that for a set of DD3's, a PDR HX35 and a 4" exhuast, it will cost you less to do ALL of this in your driveway than the shop would charge you for JUST the turbo!!! The suncoast should hold 300 HP easy.



Pardner, be careful, it sounds as if you have been sold on the things the shop has told you that you have to have. If you go their route you could easily be out $3Kmore than the same performance would cost you if you did this stuff on your own or with help of local members.



Get in touch with Joe Donelly. He is not all that far from you and can give you advise on the altitude and mods. If you don't want to do this stuff yourself he can point you to reasonable labor charges and good deals on the components.

 

[csutton7]

talk to www.performancediesel.net ... chris

 

[Harlan]

boming

Jim , Give me a call some night. 575 7720. I play with this . I'm not very far a way. 30 miles.

Harlan

 

[Jim Ross]

Thanks a lot for your ideas and comments, Everyone.

Harlan, expect a call from me one evening this week; I'd really like to talk with a local guy who knows first hand our situation at this elevation! If you work here in Reno/Sparks, I'll buy you lunch or a beer after work one day if you're willing to sit down and visit.

Thanks also for the lead to Joe Donnelly... he is Las Vegas isn't he?..... if so, we are 500 miles apart. Also, I will talk with the guys at Performance Diesel in S. F.

Thanks again all of you!

 

[mberry]

Jim,



I'd like to at least watch the injector install if/when you do it. Also I wouldn't mind taking your 275's off your hands if you decide to replace them with DD's.



I also appreciate everyone's input since I am almost ready to do some bomb's myself.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Whoever said that injectors wont work up high is flat wrong. I also think that the turbo upgrade will only cause more lag. If you were going to go with turbo, exhaust, and injectors here are some approximate prices.



turbo will be around $1200 for an hx 40 from piers

exhaust is only $425

injectors are about $500

guages are $150 for pyro and $50 for boost.



Don't let a local shop charge you for what they think. Learn it all here first... ... ... ... .