Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What mods for light towing (8,000 lbs)?

[fj40charles]

I have a 2000 6 speed ETC truck that will need to tow 8,000 to 10,000 lbs.

I live in Texas so smoke is an issue when the temperature gets hot. I can lay down a good smoke screen with DD2 and Mad ECM (Mad ECM fuels very heavy at low RPM).



I'm looking for recommendations for what injectors, turbo, and/or fueling box to run.



My current setup includes: DD2 (old extrude honed) injectors, Mad ECM, PDR HX40/16, SBC Con OFE clutch, and 4" exhaust.



I've used the EZ and the comp box. I really don't want to go to the comp box due to their lack or reliability (went through 3 of them). Don't need twins for the level of power I'm at. I'm having issues keeping a light throttle since I also drive a VW TDI that requires more throttle to get going.



Some options I came up with.



1. Go with PDR HX35/14, EZ, and small injectors. (Mach 1. 6 or Dyno-mite diesel). Get rid of the Mad ECM.



2. Keep the PDR HX40/16, MAD ecm, and buy Mach 1. 6 or Dyno-mite diesel injectors).



3. HX35-14, with EZ, and Mach 1. 6 or Dyno-mite Diesel injectors.



I want to stay around 350HP. I want to maintain good fuel mileage. I don't want to worry about smoking too much.



I'm not really considering the Smarty option. I just don't see the need to spend another $500. 00 for something I already have (Mad ECM).



Also, I having a hard time believing that Mach 4 will have lower EGTs than some lower HP injectors (what I've read on the TDR). I want to maintain the same level of power or littel more power without the smoke.



Please help.



Thanks in advance,

Charles

 

[RAMICATOR]

i dont do much towing, but just reading on here, the mach1. 6 seem to be the cats meow for tow.



maybe get a 14 cm housing for the hx40 you already have.



alot of guys love the smarty, and if i had the money for it i would prolly get. but an edge EZ would be good too.



i would think that would keep the smoke and egt's down and your power around 350 that you would like



im sure guys that tow a lot will chim in and give you some better ideas

 

[Boondocker]

Is your Catcher ECM the special non-timing version? If not, don't add a timing box, like an EZ or Comp. Actually, I don't see the advantage of an EZ over or with a Catcher. Your current setup seems decent. You shouldn't be smoking at cruise, only when you stomp on it, which you should probably avoid while towing.

 

[fj40charles]

Is your Catcher ECM the special non-timing version? If not, don't add a timing box, like an EZ or Comp. Actually, I don't see the advantage of an EZ over or with a Catcher. Your current setup seems decent. You shouldn't be smoking at cruise, only when you stomp on it, which you should probably avoid while towing.

I have the regular Catcher ECM which has timing. If, I go with an EZ, then I'll remove the Catcher. I have more smoke with the Catcher since it fuels more at lower RPM than if I run an EZ.



No smoke at cruise. Only smoke at take off (real bad when towing a trailer) if

I drive normally. If I'm real light on the throttle, then I don't get much smoke, but I'm also driving like an old lady.

 

[GEdwards]

I personally would think you are pretty well off.



Sounds like a good cool setup. The HX40 must be kind of laggy though isn't it? Probably keeps temps down?



You could stack the TST on top of the Catcher for more power. Not sure how high you could go towing and keeping temps inline though.



If I already had DD2s, I would probably stick with them. My buddy had those and never had a problem. I don't think it would be worth spending the money on the 1. 6s.

 

[fj40charles]

I personally would think you are pretty well off.



Sounds like a good cool setup. The HX40 must be kind of laggy though isn't it? Probably keeps temps down?



You could stack the TST on top of the Catcher for more power. Not sure how high you could go towing and keeping temps inline though.



If I already had DD2s, I would probably stick with them. My buddy had those and never had a problem. I don't think it would be worth spending the money on the 1. 6s.

EGTs are not a problem. The turbo is a little laggy with the amount of fueling I have. I didn't have the smoking issues until I installed the Mad ECM. I really don't want to get rid of the Mad ECM since it provides such good low end response.



Right now, I really leaning toward a HX35-14 for faster spoolup. I should be more than sufficient for my level of fueling.

 

[Boondocker]

smokin

... driving like an old lady

Hey, that's how I drive! :-laf Lots of 1st gear starts just to minimize smoke.



At least the Smarty is adjustable for how agressive the low end fueling is, still more agressive than the EZ on any setting except Fuel Saver, and Fuel Saver mode is not recommended for towing. My wfe drove (empty) in fuel saver mode, 2nd gear starts, heavy foot, smoke on every start. Bigger than stock injectors will do that.



My stock HX-35, which I believe is 12cm wastegated, is not big enough for towing with Mach 1. 6 injectors. Yes I can do it, I just drive by the pyrometer. Which is kinda

driving like an old lady

. :-laf

 

[MarkMiller]

With 33 in tires on my truck with all the mods that are listed for it now I was gettin 24-25 mpg. With teh 35's I have gone down to about 22. Neither of those figures are corrected for tire size differences from stock. I have added water meth recently (last weekend) but have not played with it.

 

[fj40charles]

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