Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What's the best mods??

[.44 mag]

Howdy,



Wanted to get some opinions of what mods make the most noted difference in power and performance. I just got back from a trip pulling a load over quite a few steep grades and found that the EGT's were sitting right at 1200 in order to get the boost up to 20, is that normal? What can be done to get more power to the ground throughout the RPM range and keep the EGT's in a reasonable range? I know the automatic doesn't help help my situation, but I'm really not impressed with the power or milage pulling a load.



Thanks!

 

[darkhorse]

What's the best mod is a loaded question. I'll offer my humble opinion from my experience. I like my CaTCHER better than the EZ I ran before. The big difference there is in throttle responce. EDM injectors are wonderful power makers. I'm using mach 1. 5's & love them.

 

[R-N-R]

Upgrade to the trans will put more power to the ground.

 

[jaybigboy34]

To make the best power it requires a variety of things. Injectors are great, but you need a box or Mad Ecm to get the best results from your injectors. Now your truck is going to be to hot because of your stock turbo. So next would be a turbo and an aftermarket air filter system to keep the truck running cool plus give it more power. All of these mods will not be worth 2cents without a transmission upgrade to put it all to the ground. It sounds like you tow, so you also have to keep in consideration how much power you can have while towing because I know you don't want to melt it right?

 

[Hohn]

While boxes are always popular, I'm a big fan of injectors. True, you'll need some kind of electronics to optimize them, but injectors give a kick that I really like-- plus they are SMOOOOOOOTH.



jlh

 

[darkhorse]

Since I see you already have gauges, an AFE, EZ & some transmission mods, the next logical step to keep egt in line might be a 4" exhaust.

 

[Boondocker]

To address EGTs first, a 4" exhaust and possibly a turbo upgrade. You should have an HY-35 on your automatic, which spools quickly to reduce smoke but doesn't flow enough to keep EGT in check under sustained load.



What kind of Gross Combined Weight are you talking about?



Not sure what your transmission upgrade is, but you need to insure lockup in 3rd gear when towing uphill. Hopefully your gauge pillar includes a transmission temperature gauge.



You mentioned 20 psi boost at 1200*. Is this typical of a given towing situation? That could be perfectly reasonable. What is your max boost? With an Edge EZ (elbow on HX, turnbuckle on an HY?), you should be able to hit 32psi. Of course you don't want to sustain that level.



I can pretty much do the speed limit anywhere at 17K lbs with my mild upgrades. EDMs are on my wishlist, haven't figured out what size yet.



Cheers,

Neil



That thing only got a Hemi?

 

[.44 mag]

Thanks for the response, I know it was a kind'a open-ended question.



I had a shop take a look at my trans a while back for some trouble I was having. Along with the fix, they upgraded the valvebody and did something to boost the line pressure and fool the computer. I put a Mag-hytec deep pan on it and yes, a trans temp. gauge.



I have the Edge EZ and the "turnbuckle trick" on the stock turbo. I think the most boost I've ever seen was about 28psi; and that was just hot-rodding empty. Under load towing I dont think it went above about 24psi. I was trying to keep the EGT below 1200; maybe it might go higher if I could get it to run cooler.



Obviously I don't want to fry my motor and am worried about running it at a high EGT for too long. I had heard that things like the larger injectors and bigger exhaust would make a difference. Is the sock exhaust really that restrictive? I'd hate to tear off a system that is still like new without a notable performance gain.



Thanks for the advice!

 

[Boondocker]

I felt pretty bad about tearing off a perfectly good stainless stock exhaust... until I heard the 4" pipe with a big 'ol muffler. Saaweeet! But of course I did it in the name of EGT reduction It does help with EGTs, maybe 50-100* depending on conditions, and cooldown is noticably quicker. Did I mention that it sounds great? EGT is only an issue sometimes, but a great exhaust note is all the time



You could check out Snow Performance for Water/Methenol Injection, supposedly the best of both worlds - more power AND lower EGT.