wallet ready for performance HELP

[BurnsD]

wallet ready for performance, SUGGESTIONS PLEASE

I have a 04. 5 Automatic 4x4 4 dr. and I'm financially ready for some serious performance mods.

Reliability is important as this truck is an everyday driver. Performance wise I would love to keep up with my fathers SRT8 300. I'm open to all suggestions.

I tow less than 5000 lbs once or twice a month.

The more details the better as I'm new at diesel performance.

Have an itch for 500/1000 :-laf

 

[CPavlic]

Well it all depends on what you want to do with your truck. Obviously you might want to race your dad in the future but do you ever tow? If so how much and how often? Also do you have an automatic or a stick? If you have an auto you might want to set some money aside for it depending on how much hp you want to add considering an auto can take a few thousand to make bullet proof where as you would only have to buy a clutch for a stick, depending on how far you would like to go. A few good things to start out with is guages, an intake and exhuast. Now some boxes come with guages like edge, tst, banks and so on. Mbrp I think is a popular choice among a lot of people with the 600 like yours. It already has a true 4 inch down pipe so you can start with a cat back exhaust. I personally like the afe intakes as do a lot of other people on here if Im not mistaken. Just answer the questions about your transmission and about how much you tow and Im sure there will be plenty of ppl here that will help you out.

Good luck,

Clayton

 

[Diesel Nut]

These 3rd gens are really easy to make fast. TST or edge juice, a turbo (or 2), exhaust, and transmission upgrades and your in a very fast truck. I also drive mine daily and it has been pretty much trouble free. Only issue has been codes, which I cleared with the Superchips Flashpaq. Driveability has been really nice.

It is very possible to get insane power and still be reliable. Fuel mileage has been really good so far as well.

 

[BurnsD]

My transmission is an automatic and I tow less than 5,000 lbs. once a month, about 500 miles per trip.



all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[MoparBob]

If I was in your shoes, I would first decide on how much money I wanted to spend (or could spend) and how much power do I want. If I'm not so concerned with how much power but how fast I want to go (an SRT8 300 if I'm not mistaking is in the low to flat 14's through the quarter) then I would get in touch with a shop or individual who is dragracing and start researching there mods vs. there quarter mile and 0 to 60 times. Once you've seen and talked to those who are running with the performance that you desire, you'll definetely have a much better idea of what you want. The nearest diesel drags (bracket racing - run what you drove over kind) would be a wealth of information.



Concerning the transmission... I talked to a fellow 3rd gen owner who had to rebuild his transmission due to road debris draining him of his oil without his knowledge. When he had it rebuilt, he upgraded the torque converter and valve body with performance pieces. He was floored with how much quicker the truck was as well as he saw about a 1 to 2 MPG increase. Not too mention his engine was 100% stock before and after... though not any more :-laf . The lower stall speed of the converter and the better shifts made a huge difference in his case as I'm sure it has with others.



Hope this helps!

 

[Diesel Power]

I have a 04. 5 Automatic 4x4 4 dr. and I'm financially ready for some serious performance mods.

Reliability is important as this truck is an everyday driver. Performance wise I would love to keep up with my fathers SRT8 300. I'm open to all suggestions.

I tow less than 5000 lbs once or twice a month.

The more details the better as I'm new at diesel performance.

you have a pm Oo.

 

[Diesel Nut]

I think that the transmission is the single biggest thing you need to do. Once you do that and do it right you can do pretty much anything you want. I would go with a Valve body and torque converter to start. Your clutch packs should be ok unless you have over 40-50k miles or you have been thrashing it. The clutches aren't very expensive, but the install is a bit spendy. I would say you will definetly need an input shaft and flexplate. Bottom line, plan on spending about $4-5k with a reputable shop to get the transmission durable and reliable. You may have to spend more depending on what mods you plan to do. If you want 600+ hp, you need to spend a little more money in the transmission to keep it together. This is the first mod you should do. Its amazing what a difference it makes on a stock truck, and just insane on a built one.

Now that is done exhaust needs to be taken care of. Take your pick, most of them sound very similar.

Next, I would say the you will be needing some more fuel, either the TST PowerMax CR or Edge Juice/attitude or A2. Attitude and A2 replace gauges. Injectors would be a great addition to the fueling box.

At this time you will be needing a turbo. Personally, I like Industrial Injection's line of turbos. If you want twins, you can't beat the BD set. I have them and they are nice.

 

[BurnsD]

UPDATE

installed a BD Torque Dog 600 last night (loaner) a catback exhaust and airraid intake

Quite a difference but nothing extreme or spectacular ( no codes either) I know I'll be significantly upgrading my trans. and I will definitely over do it to be safe. Does the TST stack with the BD or should I remove it and go with an Edge product? What suggestions next?

 

[MRosinski]

The tst/ez and juice/ez seem to be popular and powerful combo's.

 

[Diesel Nut]

I think the torque dog and the ez are very similar products. I would say they should stack just fine if thats true.

 

[blacksheep4x4]

Pm me I carry just about everything you need.

 

[BurnsD]

Thanks All

this is the first time I have tried a forum and I can tell by the posts and pm's that most of you not only want to help but actually have the experience and that matters most. Hats off to you guys, your help and suggestions are appreciated, please keep them coming!

 

[CBrabec]

BurnsD,

If your looking for serious power, 500+ hp & still want a good daily driver and have the capability to tow, here's what it took for me to get there. DTT TC/VB, billet input & output shafts, FASS 150 pusher pump, SPS 62 turbo, AFE stage 2 intake, TST/EZ stack & MBRP 4" exhaust. Do it in the right order, transmission first!!! Then like everyone else said, the skies the limit. Trust me, it's not fun having all the toys to play with, if your transmission can't supply you with keeping the power to the ground. Enjoy...