Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Too much smoke??

[shawn huizenga]

I've got a question about smoke on my dad's '01 2500. There's a brief description of the mods in my signature. The question I have is about how much smoke I can reasonably expect from this thing. It seems that when its at any throttle position and load it could use a few pounds more boost for the fuel its receiving for the situation. For example you're gradually accelerating from 65-70 with a constant boost of about say 12 pounds, everything's running fine but it just seems to constantly smoke like it needs a little more air or a little less fuel for that load situation. I've tried running with the box off, and on setting 1X1 and I really can't tell any difference in the smoke nor defueling at lower boost readings that should be taking place with the box on 1X1. When we were adding mods to this pickup we thought we'd have a relatively smoke free towing vehicle with the box turned off(EDM Mach 2's only), but it seems to be always throwing some black smoke under all loads from empty to towing a 32' fifth-wheel camper. I'm just not sure what the deal is, maybe we need a smaller turbo, maybe the map sensor's bad I just thought I'd get you guys' opinion on this before I did too much more. I appreciate your replies and hope you can help me out.



Thanks



Shawn Huizenga

 

[bmoeller]

Do you have a big enoough air filter? How much boost are you making? Possible to have a boost leak somewhere.

 

[GMincher]

Wait,... to much smoke? Thats a problem? Sorry, I'm being a schmardt a**!

 

[PC12Driver]

W/my mods my truck would smoke like a battleship on each shift while pulling. Plenty of air in and out, but the bigger than stock turbos are certainly more laggy on the bottom. The smoke was there no matter what setting the box was on (or off). If I revved a bit higher than normal before shifting (2500+ rpm) the next gear would start out at 1800 rpm or so, which is about where my turbo lights off, and smoke would be minimized. Not real useful advice with the auto, tho.



I was going to put the original turbo back on for towing, but a blown headgasket has given me the opportunity to dig a little deeper and swap my cam with one of Haisley's Street Puller cams. Hopefully that will flow more air to clean things up and wake the turbo up a bit earlier (not back together yet).

 

[shawn huizenga]

I have an AFE Magnum Force air intake on it. I was thinking boost leak also so I looked all the boots over and they look fine, but I'll double check them. It's not the lag that I'm concerned about its the light haze of smoke when under constant load constant boost conditions. It'll make 42 psi of boost with the box on kill, so the top end is definitely there. We dynoed it in February at 435hp, so I think the power is right where it should be. I know smoke is cool sometimes, but when you're towing the white camper its nice to be able to control it some. For lack of a better phrase it seems the engine is a little behind the turbo all the time. Maybe I'm just being too picky, maybe I'll end up switching it out for a hybrid who knows. Comparing apples to horseshoes my twin turbo'd monstor with the same size small turbo and step 4 F1 injectors smokes less under the same type of a constant load, cruising situation. But then again the port and polish, EEP cam, oversize marine headgasket, etc. adds up when it comes to efficiency i suppose. Thanks for the replies, keep the input coming!

Shawn

 

[Bob Wagner]

shawn, what elevation does your dad typically tow at? welcome home too

 

[shawn huizenga]

Bob,

Thanks, sure is good to be back! Dad usually tows right around 1,700 MSL, which is the local elevation. Could the MAP sensor cause that problem. It seems like it cleans up better at higher boost, but its just between about 10 and 20 psi of steady boost, rpm, and load it emits a constant light haze of black smoke. Enough to find its way all over in and out of the camper! I was playing around with the comp today and I couldn't tell any difference between 1x1 and 1x5, like it wasn't defueling at lower boost. Hopefully we figure this out before the vacation season comes around, its not a real serious issue, just an inconvenience thats all. Thanks for your reply.



Shawn