2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Where to begin and with what first

[JAderhold]

I am new to TDR and just bought my first CTD, 02 quad cab duallie with 5. 9 ho and 6 speed transmission.

what is the first thing i need to add gauges or something like that or start with other mods, such as exhaust or other items.

My truck has around 60k since a complete rebuild on the engine, and i would like to keep a close eye on it

Thanks James

 

[Fogie]

Gauges come first with me. Fuel pressure, boost, and EGT. Then I guess the rest is up to you as to what you want to do, but I would start with the gauges.

 

[jgillott]

I think that you are on the right track starting with gauges. A good choice on your truck would be fuel pressure, turbo boost, and exhaust gas temperature gauges. Take some time to search the forum on fuel pressure issues on the 24-valve trucks. There is enough reading there to keep you busy, but it is worth the time.



Welcome to TDR

 

[BigMike]

I asked the same question when I first joined TDR. Here's what was recommended: Boost & Temp guages, 4" exhaust, Exhaust Brake if you're towing heavy, and a chip. I put in a VA. I did it all and later added a FP guage.

 

[Holzarbeiter]

First of all Welcome,

there is a lot of good reading on the TDR, just be aware of the slippery path of boming , this is what I would recommend:

1- Gauges, if nothing else a fuel pressure gauge, egt and boost if you are planning on boming

2- A fueling box (here you can go from mild to wild)

3- improve air inlet with either a BHAF or other ( I like the BHAF it is the most economical in my opinion)

4- Depending on what turbo you have you can now choose injectors

5- If you have to upgrade a turbo thats when I would do the exhaust



Somewhere in there you will have to do your clutch, that will depend on how hard you get on the truck, some will argue that injectors can be done before the box, which is true but to keep thing cool you need to increase boost and the boxes already have a boost fooler build into them, so why spend the money on a boost fooler only to go to a box later.



These are just my 2 cents worth, others might disagree and have different path, do lots of research and ask questions before you purchase

 

[rubberneck]

Put the gauges in and then relocate the factory fuel lift pump to the frame, back in front of the tank. Or spend the money for one of the aftermarket systems you will see talked about here. The 2 popular systems are the FASS (electrical) and the RASP (mechanical with electrical back up) The location of the lift pump from the factory does not lead to a long life. If the lift pump dies it will take the injection pump with it in short order. The other thing to think about is the clutch. The stock clutch on the 6 speed is ok to about 100hp over stock if driven like you paid for it. Much more HP than that or some hard use and you will need to upgrade the clutch. I smoked my oem clutch with an EZ and DD3's with 1200miles on my truck, replaced it at 1800 miles and have never looked back. Be carefull, the more you add, the more you will want, Horsepower is addictive with these trucks

 

[JAderhold]

ok gauges first, but which is better analog or digital ?, or would a x monitor or something in that line work better?



and would like to know more about the lift pump replacement mentioned in the earlier post, and also where can i find more info about the FASS and RASP pumps.



Thanks James

 

[RAJohnson]

Gauges first and I would go with Analog, Autometer is my choice

 

[keimmmo]

You can read books of information in the thread files about lift pumps and related items! I also recommend relocating the lift pump after installing a pressure guage to see what you have first. I also HIGHLY recommend big lines and fittings for the relocated pump!!! You can buy a kit for that or "home brew" something, but it is important for the long and happy life of both the lift pump and the injection pump!



Any power modifications REALLY tax the under enginered fuel system!!! I recommend upgrading the fuel system before doing ANYTHING that will require more fuel flow! For that matter, I would recommend upgrading the fuel system even on a stock truck!



Steve Keim

 

[16919]

Check out www.Genosgarage.com for any guage combos you want.

Try www.scheiddiesel.com (scheid diesel motorsports) or www.haisleymachine.com (Haisley Machine) they will be able to hook you up with your fuel system (Fass) and anything else you could ever want/need for a cummins !!

 

[JKinney]

Welcome aboard



Since you just joined you might receive your first #51 TDR magazine in the mail, it will have a Genos catalog with it. Genos has a complete list of guages maechanical and electric.



good Luck

 

[NoSeeUm]

Gauges

Smarty

Exhaust (with Brake)

Intake Air

---------------- WOW factor is pretty good here

Small Injectors

Clutch

Head modifications

Bigger Turbo

Bigger Injectors



If I had it do all over again, I would choose a different route myself.



Be careful when selecting your 4 inch exhaust system. The Cummins engine wants to provide a really irritating DRONE around 2000 rpm on allot of 4 inch exhaust systems. I had to install a 2nd muffler in the location of the stock resonator to get rid of it on my truck.



Personally, I would not go with a performance box again. Check out MADS Electronics or read here about it on TDR and go the Smarty route. You will love the "Catcher" software and get all the performance with none of the hassle.



For the rest, you have decide how much Hp you want and how much torque your wallet can take. Good luck.



Jim

 

[BillBrown]

Gauges

Smarty

Exhaust (with Brake)

Intake Air

---------------- WOW factor is pretty good here

Small Injectors

Clutch

Head modifications

Bigger Turbo

Bigger Injectors



If I had it do all over again, I would choose a different route myself.



Be careful when selecting your 4 inch exhaust system. The Cummins engine wants to provide a really irritating DRONE around 2000 rpm on allot of 4 inch exhaust systems. I had to install a 2nd muffler in the location of the stock resonator to get rid of it on my truck.



Personally, I would not go with a performance box again. Check out MADS Electronics or read here about it on TDR and go the Smarty route. You will love the "Catcher" software and get all the performance with none of the hassle.



For the rest, you have decide how much Hp you want and how much torque your wallet can take. Good luck.



Jim

I would have to go along with Jim on this one. It would have saved Me A lot of time and cash if I would have done it in this order instead of buying-trying selling and starting over.

 

[wlowe]

Before I invested a lot of money in upgrades my first investment would be to have an engine oil sample analyzed. Its a good way to find a lot of possible serious/expensive problems. If it's a 4X4 I would also have the front ball joints and track bar checked.



After that, let the spending begin! Oo.

 

[JAderhold]

ok, got my gauges ordered wednesday, I went with the ISSPRO, turbo boost, EGT, and fuel pressure gauges with the A pillar mount.

The next question is where to place the EGT probe, before the turbo or after?





WLowe,

My truck is 2 wheel drive, and just completely rebuilt last march, by the dodge dealer in murray KY. I have also replaced the lower ball joints recently, the only other thing i need to address is a vibration in the drive train, for which i am thinking of ordering the centrimatic balancers.



Thanks for all the advice so far

James

 

[wlowe]

My truck is 2 wheel drive, and just completely rebuilt last march, by the dodge dealer in murray KY

Actually, the fact that it was just rebuilt makes it a perfect time to analyze the oil. It will give you a baseline to compare to any future samples. Here is where I have mine done, no affiliation, just a satisfied customer:



http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free_test_kit.html



I think you will be happy with the ISSPRO guages. I've had mine for four years now, no problems. I went pre-turbo on the EGT probe.



Also, when I installed my boost guage I plumbed into a fitting towards the back of the engine. It was a PITA to get to. Later I found out that there is a fitting you can buy that installs next to the intake manifold, much easier. Do a search for "boost fitting" and you should be able to find the info on it.



Good Luck

 

[RAJohnson]

Pre turbo, allot more accurate.

 

[CMullen]

pre-turbo isthe most accurate, post turbo is always less

 

[rubberneck]

PRE TURBO!! The only thing post turbo is good for is telling you when it is safe to shut down the truck IMHO. . If you want to know the number that matters, put the probe pre turbo and don't hold it over 1250 degrees. my . 02

 

[JAderhold]

got my gauges today, if the weather aint to bad plan on putting them in tomorrow.



The papper work with the fuel pressure gauge said to use a fuel pressure gauge issolater, is this a have to thing or something to sell more parts?