Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What's the #1 Upgrade for Performance?

[TerryWitt]

My husband has a 2001 Turbo Dodge Dually and is wanting to upgrade for HP performance and mileage. I wanted to surprise him for Christmas, but the budget is not unlimited, if you know what I mean. What would you suggest as an upgrade (stand alone as I don't know when we will be able to invest more)? I've seen the performance chips, exhaust upgrades, etc. Was considering the Bully Dog Torque Dog as a starting point? Any thoughts or other input would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

Gretchen

 

[IC Smoke]

BD "Race pro", aka Edge "Comp Box" I paid 522 installed. Yes its a little chunk of change but he will love it! once I got it I hardly ever turn it off! It will make that motor come alive!!! He can even install it himself they arnt that big of a deal, just a few wires. I dont knwo much about the bully dog but I think its just a fixed horsepower gain, I have 5 main levels and 20 sublevels. plus you can turn it on and off with just a button.



Here are the websites:

http://www.edgeproductsinc.com/dodge_ISB.html



http://www.bd-power.com/ram/ramelectronic.html

 

[Mad Bomber]

what to get?

1st he needs gauges, then maybe a Edge E-Z same as the Bully dog. You might check the $$$ of both. Here is a really great guy that will give a great deal http://www.protintnw.com/sa-main.htm

 

[darkhorse]

I think the bargan bang for the buck would be a used EZ. If it's an ETH the Diesel Dynamics version would be better but they are harder to find used. Check the classified ads on this site. For $500 the CaTCHER can't be beat. Either one will give you both more get up & go as well as potentially better milage. By the way, your husband is luck to have married a gal like you.

 

[TerryWitt]

1st he needs gauges, then maybe a Edge E-Z same as the Bully dog. You might check the $$$ of both. Here is a really great guy that will give a great deal http://www.protintnw.com/sa-main.htm

Can you elaborate on what kind of guages are needed?

 

[darkhorse]

The three most importent are Exhaust gas temperature, Manifold boos & fuel pressure.

 

[TAlbiston]

I wouldn"t buy the Torque Dog or anything from Bully Dog. I put that on my truck, that was a bad move. I had it on for about 3 weeks and then I got the comp box. That was a big differance. The first thing I would do would be a Edge comp box and guages.

 

[DavidC]

First thing gauges. Second fill out signature for truck so people know what you have. If it is an automatic trans anything over about 65 HP will likely wipe the transmission out which hovers around $3500. 00. Choose wisely.



Dave

 

[AKAMAC]

Gretchen,

If your husband is handy with a wrench and willing to do the work himself, bang for buck I'd go;



1: Injectors... . cheap (275 rv's) mo money (EDM 1. 5 or 2's)



2: Catcher ECM



You don't list where you're at or what transmission he has. The transmission question will answer a lot of input inquries for longevity performance. The local will give members a chance to help if necessary.



P. S. Welcome to the best site on the web!



Mike

 

[SKneeland]

list how much you plan to budget and also if you think more modifications are planned for the future



if its an auto transmission and you dont forsee any more modifications in the near future, something along the lines of an edge EZ might be what you want, 65 more hp or so, just plugs in and doesnt require any other modifications to do its thing ($200-300 used im guessing)



but at the very least before any HP improvement are made, get him a pyrometer to measure exhaust gas temperature (dont want that nice box you got him to burn up his baby)

 

[Mad Bomber]

What type?

Can you elaborate on what kind of guages are needed?

In my humble opinon I like the Isspro EV type. They are VERY easy to read even at night. The pyro and boost and fuel is are the MOST important if auto a transmission would help also. Alot of people mount them on the A piller of the door frame. Wild Cat Diesel sells a thing called Rods Pods, it mounts the gauges on the top of the bezel it looks good.

 

[2ndgen2500]

talk about bang for your buck, did a track run with a friend of mines truck, 17. 4 stock, 15. 5 with the edge comp, i'd definatly do the comp before ANYTHING ELSE, other than gagues which are escential, egt, f/p, and your call on (trans temp or boost ( i like boost)

 

[claykelly]

I'd go for the 275hp injectors if you want an easy HP gain + 1-2 mpg increase. I just did mine in about 2 hours hood open to hood close, $250.

Noticeable seat of the pants gain, very happy here. Any more than this and the $$$ seem to snowball really fast. The sky is the limit, seriously.



PS... You don't by chance have a sister that's single do you?

 

[darkhorse]

Gretchen, I hope you're not overloaded with suggestions. Obviously everone has their own opinions as to the way to go. There is nothing really wrong with anything I've read here. Guages are a good idea even in a stock truck but the more you modify, the more you need them . I'll still say that the Edge EZ & it's derivatives are the easiest mod of all. Two plugs is all. In or out in 5 minuets or less. The little brass boost elbow might take another 10 if you drop the hose clamps a time or two. It gives a very noticable increase in power but not to much to worry about the clutch or torque converter. The same can be said for Bosh 275 or Mach series edm injectors up to 1. 5's. If you team the injectors with the EZ, they work so well stock clutches start to slip & it taks $$$'s upgrade those components. If I had a budget of $500 the one thing I would do, after the guages, is grab a CaTCHER.

 

[DieselLady]

Gretchen, You said you want to upgrade for HP performence and mileage, I have the Comp box instead of the EZ because I knew that once you get a taste, you always want more and the comp you can turn up or turn off to remember what the good old days where like. BUT... . If you have an automatic you will trash it if you dont bullet proof it first, no matter what upgrade you pick. If you cant get the power to the ground all the upgrades in the world wont help. I also agree with the gauges. You don't want to toast the engine.

 

[TerryWitt]

Truck info

Thank you to everyone that has replied to my post. You have been most helpful. I have some great ideas now and guidance from you that know will certainly help! Terry's truck is a 3500 Dually, 6 speed, 4X4, ext. cab. Also, forgot to mention that we tow a large camper and comp. ski boat often.

I see that the guages are definitely a must..... I'll start there... . then look out! Should be fun. My guy is very handy with a wrench and will be excited to do some upgrades, I'm sure. Oo. The biggest problem I have is figuring out whether to buy something for the Ram or his Early Bronco project! Thanks again!

 

[RJOL]

I see that the guages are definitely a must..... I'll start there... . then look out! Should be fun.

Terry... If your on a budget I would suggest the gauges are the first mod he should make. With your setup (4X4, 6 speed) you need an EGT gauge, boost gauge, and a fuel pressure gauge. These are pretty easy to install on a 2001. You'll also need a mount for the gauges. A two hole "A" pillar cover will hold the gauges if you get one of them with a combo like the EGT and boost on one gauge and the fuel pressure on the other. I like the Westach gauges as they are straight forward to install and are very reasonably priced. Mine haved worked for four years without a hitch. The easiest way to hook up the fuel pressure gauge is to get the 18" "fuel pressure line" from Geno's and hook the sender up to the test port on the VP-44 fuel pump (near to where the hose comes in from the fuel filter). You should be able to get all of this for a little over $300 from Geno's. If your significant other is handy with tools, and has a little common sense, he will really enjoy these mods. Have fun...

 

[2ndgen2500]

Toast the engine? Either way, whatever mod you choose im sure he will be happy, from my experiences, what you want to buy, is something you can grow with(i learned this one the very hard way), if he catches the bug, the 275's will be bye bye, and so will the EZ, the comps power levels can be adjusted so you can run safer power, and the comp IMO is probably one of the best boxes on the market, i know, recently i sent mine off to get the drag program put on, and i'll tell you what, i have MACH 4 INJECTORS, and i felt nothing that i would classify as seat of my pants, infact i got smoked by my friend with just a comp. I had my comp on my trans for about 60k before I finally toasted it, but these trannys will go no matter what you do.

 

[klaybus]

Guages

Gretchen,

Get your husband guages first! You have to start somewhere and the proper order of bombing is important. Guages first is a must & they look great too! Heres a link to where I got mine.



http://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/gauges1



Ask for Dave Meehan. He was a real nice guy.



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Rip at www.sourceautomotive.biz is another great vendor.



Clay

 

[tractorface]

Whata gal!!

I am going to print this thread and hang it on the fridge for my wife to read. That is one cool wife