Upgrade Choices

[TStinson]

Of the following choices, what is the popular opinion on which upgrade would be more effective, both in cost and drive-ability, for my driving style which involves very little towing and probably 85% highway / 15% city miles?

See signature for truck specs.



A. Dr. Performance or Banks Git-Kit (or similar - something that is supposed to protect from overfueling/overheating)

B. Propane-injection system



Looking for more responsive go-power in everyday driving. Especially something that will surprise the clowns in the wimpy sportscars who like to cut in and out in traffic - although I have left more than a few raised eyebrows in the dust already.

 

[Floor It]

I would put in gauges,pryo extremely important,and then Edges comp box. Its adjustable for all situations and more bang for the buck,IMO

 

[Big White Beast]

Lot of ad money in those kits.........

I would go with gauges first then the comp box as stated above. If you have EGT problems you can start working on some of the other things you need to bring em down. Save big bucks that way.



Just my 2 ¢,



Garrett

 

[SOLER]

Lotta money in those products

I agree with the above. You will spend a lot of money on those kits you mentioned. If you want the "system" to protect you from over -temps or -fuel, then, in my opinion, going off of what others have said (I have neither product), the Banks might be the way to go.



HOWEVER, it is always good to know what your truck is doing, and how to react (or proact) as necessary.



Get some gages. Learn what your truck will and won't do. Learn how to monitor the systems and how to drive accordingly.



Example, learn how to read the pyro, and what it is telling you. If it is getting hot, that means that it is burning more fuel without getting it out. How to fix it? Several ways. Short term and long term.



1. Letting off the pedal will decrease fuel, and the temp will go down.

2. Downshift. Lugging the engine is going to get it hot in a heartbeat.

3. Upgrades. Get more air into the cylinders by improving airflow. Lots of different aftermarket air filters and housings. I see what you have done here, but you may have to something different when you start adding stuff.

4. Get more burnt fuel out. Bigger turbo (be cautious of extra turbo lag), bigger exhaust, etc. What comes stock for exhaust is a poorly bent 3" tube with a lousy muffler and either a resonator or a cat. converter. I have a 4" mandrel bent exhaust with a less restrictive muffler, and the resonator is gone. Even a 3" mandrel bent tube with a good muffler will do wonders. You have "lost" you muffler, but you may want to go a step further.



When you have learned how to read the gages, then go with the add-ons. A box (Edge Comp, Edge EZ, or any other, most are pretty good-- I have the EZ, only because the Comp wasn't out yet) is a good bang for the buck. I never had EGT probs with the EZ alone, and my clutch held the power fine.



Injectors will really bring you Cummins to life. I have the DD2's. My clutch will not hold all the power. I heard the 5 speed clutches hold a little better, so you may be fine there. I have to be careful. It isn't gone, but I can't get all I want out of it yet. My EGTs have to be closely monitored, as well. I will get up to 1300 pretty fast on a good grade with my 5th wheel.



With regard to propane, I haven't used it, but my brother has it on his P-stroke. I drove it, and it didn't have any more power than my stock 2001 6 speed. I have also heard stories of it leaking real easy. That is a serious hazard (as with anything flamable). You need to be sure you use high quality hoses, tanks, fittings, etc.



Sorry so long. Good luck with the bombs.



SOLER

 

[redneckdr]

upgrades

ohhhhh boy... ... ..... i think we've been here before. i think the consensus will be to build your own from reputable modules rather than buy a package. i'll watch this thread again.

 

[LSMITH]

There are several boxes out there that have EGT protection built in them. I believe Steve St Laurent is using the TST Powermax 3 with the EGT protection and there are several members using the Blue Chip FMS with EGT protection. Banks does not have the corner on the market for de-fueling at high EGT, and Dr Performance is not popular at all on here. The Comp that several have mentioned already does not have EGT protection that I am aware of. The TST, FMS and Comp will all make roughly the same peak power so pick the one you like best. Some of them have EGT and boost guages built in so you do not need to add guages with the box. Look around and ask questions, one of them will suit your needs. Hope this helps.

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Get a fuel management system!

TStinson,



Certainly guages are needed with additional fueling so get it all in ONE unit, a Blue Chip FMS which stands for Fuel Management System, no extra guages to buy or install. In one box it gives you digital guages, adjustable fueling in one percent increments, egt overheat protection, a timing box, adjustable smoke control, and resetable engine data recording. So simple to use that you can program it on the fly. The guages read/moniter: RPM, EGT, boost, low lift pump pressure, injection pump operation and more (bar graphs etc. ) As the saying goes... I tried the rest before I got (what I think is) the best

 

[JTeague]

PM3 & DD2's

First off, don't waste your money on Banks or Dr. Performance. There is alot more power to be had for ALOT less money. I had a PM3 adjustable and DD2's in my 2000 4X4 5spd and was very happy with the power. More than enough power to embarass the pesky import and 5oh guys. With the adjustable box you can keep the EGTs in check on the lower settings while towing. My advise to you is to get yourself some gauges,a PM3 adjustable box, DD2 injectors, BHAF, and demuff the truck. This combination should take care of quest for more power, at least for a little while . The best part about it is that it will cost you less than $1500 to do!

 

[Ted Jannetty]

Proper order for upgrading

I while back I posted Proper order for upgrading your ISB, you may want to look it up.



You have to do things in the right order to achive max potential and engine protection.



This is specific to your 99 5spd truck.



1) Guages, Boost, Pyro, fuel pressure.

2) Big air filter, the bigger the better

3) 4" exhaust is a must

4) Pusher pump

5) Injectors

6) Clutch

7) Plug n module



If you can swing it do it all at once, if not do it in this order and you will be happy and safe.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

You might try hooking up with a local TDR chapter. I think the Lone Star TDR (http://www.lstdr.f2s.com/LSTDR LEFT.htm) is closest to you. You can check out a variety of performance levels and decide what's enough (as if that's possible ). If you're gonna be in the Ft. Worth area sometime, drop me an email.