Time to upgrade from bone stock

[jraker]

I need some advice or educated opinions. I am looking to start upgrading my truck but wanted to build it looking for reliablity over performance. I want to make sure I do things in the right order. My son keeps asking me when this truck is going to break down, he says he wants the old truck back.



Stage 1:

Gauges pillar or Edge CTS (Trans, rearend, boost, pyro and rail)

AFE DD transmission pan

AFE Rear Diff cover

Carli Ball Joints

Carli or Kore 2" kit

DSS

Air Dog, FASS or just a external fuel filter/separater

----Am I missing something other ideas welcome. Still very sensitive from upgrading my truck last time without consulting the experts. I clearly did not know best. I will not be able to purchase everything listed in order but wanted to know in which order I should consider items.



Stage 2 will be Transimission upgrades. Hopefully just a TC and Valve body will be needed. Just turned 28k miles.



Stage 3 will be power.

 

[goodguys75]

I need some advice or educated opinions. I am looking to start upgrading my truck but wanted to build it looking for reliablity over performance. I want to make sure I do things in the right order. My son keeps asking me when this truck is going to break down, he says he wants the old truck back.



Stage 1:

Gauges pillar or Edge CTS (Trans, rearend, boost, pyro and rail)

AFE DD transmission pan

AFE Rear Diff cover

Carli Ball Joints

Carli or Kore 2" kit

DSS

Air Dog, FASS or just a external fuel filter/separater

----Am I missing something other ideas welcome. Still very sensitive from upgrading my truck last time without consulting the experts. I clearly did not know best. I will not be able to purchase everything listed in order but wanted to know in which order I should consider items.



Stage 2 will be Transimission upgrades. Hopefully just a TC and Valve body will be needed. Just turned 28k miles.



Stage 3 will be power.

if you are gong to buy a power programer you dont need gauges... but i like real gauges... . most programers have a screen with readouts. .

 

[jraker]

I do plan to add some power in the future. I figured with a set of gauges I could get a good basline of the truck. Last time I added power without regard to the transmission. That was a mistake. Then I added 315's and 4 steering gears later a dss. Never had another problem after that.

Question on the edge insight. Does that have the turbo timer on it? Are the dial gauges better? I read a thread that the edge won't display pressures above 35psi boost. Also read that the digital gauges are not as accurate. Find that odd since my trusty meat probe is less than 3 seconds to temp.

 

[Regcabguy]

Suspension wise I'd use Carli or Don Thuren for your 2" leveling setup. They provide a quality product and aftersale service in the unlikely event of a problem.

 

[goodguys75]

I do plan to add some power in the future. I figured with a set of gauges I could get a good basline of the truck. Last time I added power without regard to the transmission. That was a mistake. Then I added 315's and 4 steering gears later a dss. Never had another problem after that.



Question on the edge insight. Does that have the turbo timer on it? Are the dial gauges better? I read a thread that the edge won't display pressures above 35psi boost. Also read that the digital gauges are not as accurate. Find that odd since my trusty meat probe is less than 3 seconds to temp.

I would look into the smarty setup... I dont have aprogramer, but from what i have read edge is not that great, and smarty is the way too go... Im sure some people with these set ups will chime in soon... but i do like real gauges...

 

[HHhuntitall]

I've used several brands over the last 6-7 years for the HPCR, and can say my personal favorite is the TST Powermax, CR. I've got Smarty Jr's on two trucks, and they work good, especially for autos, but my favorite for mileage and price are the Edge Mileage Max. If you want to add power later, then I'd go with the TST. It's got a rail pressure guage, pyrometer, boost, etc all built in to the in cab remote..... but I've still got mechanical guages in mine. Gotta make sure the electrical sensors are correct, right? Anyway, the TST adds adjustable timing on level 2, and power all the way up the scale, and adjustable all across the board... ... . Dang I love mine!! Restraint is the best thing I can tell you that you will need. Cranking it up without air and exhaust will burn a piston in a hurry. I'd also recommend some injector nozzles. I've seen exceptional power gains with them, and had to put a clutch in several just after adding nozzles. They might even be an option before you add a power programmer. The only programmer I'd say NOT to buy would be a Quadzilla.



Also, if you go with a Smarty, go with the full size version. And just so you know, Smarty, TST, and Bullydog have GREAT customer service. Edge is ok, but they are a corporate monster(MSD, owned by Autotronic Contols Corp, who also owns Hypertech, Superchips, etc,) and without a dealer, they can be a little difficult to deal with. They have really treated me well, though. Edge has rebuilt several Comp Boxes for me, and even replaced one for free for an '01. I see quite a few failures on those, though.....



All in all, just look for the one that looks the most user friendly to you, and has the features you want. You'll be happy with just about all of them.