Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What's the best way to make 425 - 450 HP?

[HeavyHauler]

Need your help fellas - my goal is to be around 425HP and I really don't see the need to go any higher than 450. My question is what is the best and most efficient way to go about this?



I've already got the Edge EZ and I plan on keeping it - so factor that into the equation.



Here's what I'm figuring - I've got a Scotty II, 4" exhaust, and the EZ. I would like to add Mach 3's and then maybe a Dodgezilla turbo. I figure that should put me darn close to 425HP.



Does anyone see any problem with that or do you have any other suggestions? By the way, I don't want to mess with tapping the pump wire/compromising my injector pump so a fueling box is out of the question.



Thanks for the help.

 

[hammersley]

You'll need more than an EZ

and better have the clutch done - and FASS on... ...

 

[Got Smoke?]

and better have the clutch done - and FASS on... ...

He has a Air Dog system that's just waiting on a CLEAR day hard to come by in TN right now. :{



I'm not sure if he's done the clutch yet, but if not I'm sure he know's to go with a 13" Southbend OFE :-laf Oo.



You will be hard pressed to reach 425 on a EZ and injectors Han's, you could do it with bigger injectors..... but injectors that big would still strain your VP44.



Also for a turbo, give the guy in my sig a call and save some $$$.

 

[HeavyHauler]

I figure I'm only gonna need a clutch if I have my truck under a heavy load or towing - and I don't plan on doing either anytime soon. If you know how to drive and take it easy on a clutch, the stock clutch will hold all the power you want it to. It's only when you're pulling or out there hotrodding that one will slip. So we'll see what happens on that end...



Oh and Mark - the name is Hans, no apostrophe!





Keep the replies coming!

 

[Got Smoke?]

Oh and Mark - the name is Hans, no apostrophe!

its 1AM cut me some slack!



I still think you'll toast the stocker! :-laf

 

[fox]

You will need a bigger box and a bigger turbo. The air in and out, --air cleaner and exhaust-- won't make power they just allow you to be more effecient and cooler.

The power comes from fuel , which is heat.

Add a tst power max 3 or edge comp without the EZ.

 

[bmoeller]

If you know how to drive and take it easy on a clutch, the stock clutch will hold all the power you want it to. It's only when you're pulling or out there hotrodding that one will slip.

Ummmmm, If you want the capability to make that much power, and not use it, then why? Why go to the expense? Spend a lot of money for no reason, other than bragging rights. That is all well and good, but I'm sure someone WILL want to see it in action. If you ever get in a situation where you need the power, your clutch WILL be in trouble.



In my case, what I've done to uprate, were things that needed to be replaced anyways, so I upgraded while I was at it.

 

[KVaughn]

Ummmmm, If you want the capability to make that much power, and not use it, then why? Why go to the expense? Spend a lot of money for no reason, other than bragging rights. That is all well and good, but I'm sure someone WILL want to see it in action. If you ever get in a situation where you need the power, your clutch WILL be in trouble.

I don't think he would be the only one here with more power than he needs.

 

[bmoeller]

True. I'm one of them. I would've been happy with just the plate, by itself. It was more in reference to the clutch comment.

 

[RustyJC]

If you want to see where an EZ and injectors will get you, see my signature. Yes, you can go larger than the DD2s, but I can get some toasty EGT's when towing our 5th wheel if I'm not watching the pyro. Having said that, I recognize that some good EDM's could give me marginally more HP with marginally less EGT and smoke. Basically, though, if I want more fuel, I'm going to have to upgrade the turbo, but I'm limited to an HX35 hybrid by my turbo-mount Jacobs exhaust brake. Frankly, I believe it would take a Comp, better turbo and bigger injectors to get me to 425-450 RWHP (which I really don't need - ~350 RWHP/760 lb-ft pulls our 16K GVWR 5th wheel just fine. )



Oh, and note the South Bend Con OFE clutch - the stock clutch slipped when the DD2 injectors went in on top of the EZ!



Rusty

 

[FTwardoch]

Looks like Bob Wagner got 401 rwhp with a Catcher and Mach 4's - wonder what more you'd need to get the extra 50hp you're looking for?

 

[jaybigboy34]

See my sig. I made 428rwhp with my setup, and it was done on a 90 degree day with high humidity on the third run because it took me the third time to convince the dyno people that 6th gear is were the truck would make the most power. I lost 5 to 10 horsepower between the first and second run, so I am making between 428 and 450 horsepower. It can be accomplished with an EZ and big injectors. You will need a bigger turbo though. I run the 3. 7's, so they are just a little bigger than the regular 3's. I hate to tell you, but even if you baby the clutch with that much power your stock clutch is gone.

 

[HeavyHauler]

Well you guys can say what you want to about a clutch, but the thing won't slip if it's not under a load. Maybe I should reiterate a few things - no towing and no showboating is in store for me.



Again, I'm not gonna put a fueling box on this thing just yet. I'm sticking with the EZ so perhaps I should lower my goal to between 400 - 425 HP.



I'm just going by simple addition with the upgrades I have planned. EZ=65HP, Mach 3's=130HP, and I figure a turbo will give me a few ponies as well. This should get me over 400 anyway. I just wanted to know if there was a better, safer way.



And PLEASE, no more clutch comments. I don't know why so many people on here think you've got to upgrade a clutch when you add power. I've worked with a lot of different vehicles from semis to race cars and other pickups. A stock clutch is a lot stronger than you think. Maybe all you guys tow or something but I'm not doing any towing right now.



So let's focus on what will get me to my horsepower goal - the last time I checked a clutch won't add any power!

 

[RustyJC]

You can ignore it all you want, but the fact is my clutch slipped at 1800 RPM in 5th gear - running empty - the same day the injectors went in. The clutch was fully engaged - just a good mash on the throttle slipped it!



Rusty

 

[Hohn]

Looks like Bob Wagner got 401 rwhp with a Catcher and Mach 4's - wonder what more you'd need to get the extra 50hp you're looking for?

I'd just do the M4s and the EZ or Catcher. That should be over 400hp and close enough to 425.



You'll need some supporting cast to make it work. The stock lift pump should be able to provide the fuel you need if the fittings are upgraded.



jlh

 

[CATCRACKER]

the clutch will not hold. its torque that makes it slip and at 450hp the tq # is big!

 

[HeavyHauler]

I've got an AirDog waiting to be installed. Looking for some nicer weather down here in Tennessee. I've got a weak lift pump as it is so the AirDog will be done before any other power upgrades.

 

[HeavyHauler]

And just to prove that what I say about a clutch is not totally BS, here's a post in an earlier thread that I started that ended up turning into a clutch argument, much like this one.

Don't believe everything you hear. I have been running a B1/comp(3x5)/mach4s for a few weeks even pulling a 2 place sled trailer, all still using a stock clutch. Don't flap that something is wrong either, the thing will break them loose in 4th gear. Think 4. 10s make it hard to really load the clutch hard but still... I have been running stock clutch for 8 months with everything from just a Comp to what I have now. This includes hard passes at the strip and numerous 5x5 pulls with some Mach2s. I have a FE in the garage and I am guessing that 5x5 pulls with Mach4s when I put my summer tires (35") back on willl be the straw so to speak. I wonder if my truck came with a FE from the factory lol? I would say go for it and see what happens... you might be surprised.

So as you can see, at the very least, it depends on the situation...



Now let's get back to the HP numbers!

 

[Rman]

Go jump on a dyno with that stock clutch and see what happens... you surely won't be putting that much power down... why? Because it can't hold it. I pulled my stock clutch after about 2k with my mach 2's. It looked great, but was very glazed, had no holding power at all. I could manage, but when i'd hook anything up to the truck i could barely get going.



If you'd like proof, i'd put my truck up against any "450" horsepower truck with a stock clutch. I bet I can get somewhere in the 375 hp range, but at least all of it hits the pavement.

 

[One Old Dog]

new clutch

Here what happen to me I put on a vabox 50 hp dd2 injectors and it was 305/675 and I HAD A CON O CLUTCH IN IT. STOCK clutch WOULD NOT HOLD I put a edge comp box on and set it on 4/5 and 5/5 and the cono clutch sliped running at 60 and step on it the clutch will slip. I now have, as of 9/26/04 384/844 and new clutch goes in wednesday say what you may but the clutch will not hold. :{ :{ :{