which power upgrade is best

[Tom C]

I used to have a '97 b2500 and it was easy to upgrade. but now with the 2001 its all electronic!!! I have been reading on the different type of power upgrade devices. too many to chose from! I've been looking at:

1. JVC "torque enhancer"
2. Bullydog "CPC60" or "Propane"
3. Dr. Performamce "power box?"
4. Edge products "power edge"
5. Blue Chip "blue box"
6. TST "powermax"

they all cost approx. the same. what is everyone using and how do you like them. I have read storys about a "VA" power upgrade. what is VA stand for?


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2001. 5 2500 4X4, QC, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, SLT, SWB, Trailer, Camper & Snow plow Packages, White, 35k# Cody Hitch, 20' Gooseneck Lowboy flat-bed Trailer.

[This message has been edited by Tom C (edited 02-04-2001). ]

 

[LSMITH]

Tom, the VA is the Van Aaken CPC. Go to www.vanaaken.com to see it. Lots of companies are selling the VA as their own product, but the Van Aaken site is easy to use and has lots of info. They also developed it. Seems to me that the VA and Edge EZ are the most popular and the the PE is probably right up there. Run a search on all of the boxes to see what people have said in the past. How far you are going to go with the power mods will probably determine which box to buy. Some of the boxes are pretty extreme all by themselves. Good luck!

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[Archive]

<font color=blue>Ok first off gotta sort out the boxes.

Minor fueling boxes with timing adjustment :

• EZ Edge
• VA CPC
• Bullydogs new box?
• Diablo PowerPuck?

The only two I have personal experience with is the EZ and VA. The EZ is made by Edge Products. The VA is sold by many places renamed, Plug-N-Power, CPC60, and I am sure their are others. The above boxes are modest power enhancers. Usually good for 20 to 60hp

Now for the Major fueling boxes :

• PowerEdge
• TST Powermax
• Blue Box
• JVD
• Ottomind

I am not aware of a box from Dr Performance at this time. On the above boxes I have experience with the PowerEdge (which is in my truck) and I know some people with the Powermax. Each of these boxes will add 50 to 100hp or more most of them adjustable.

Depending on just how much power you want is the factor in which boxes to look at. THe major fueling boxes all tap into the injection pump wire, the modest boxes do not (easier on the warrenty issue).

Do a search on old posts on this subject and spend some time reading, there is alot of information in old posts. Anymore specific questions just ask.....

 

[jkern]

likin' the JVD #ad
the "torque enhancer" is a fueling computer and also comes with a wastegate elbow for increased boost to burn all that added fuel. it has three settings, off, 20% and 50% enhancement. it starts adding fuel around 2 psi of boost. their web site is www.jvdeng. ws i have been impressed with the customer support, not that i have had a problem, but when i have called and asked questions, they have been very helpful and curtious. the JVD is also very easy to install took less than an hour to do.

hope this helps make your decision, have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.



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Jeremy Kern
1999 2500HD 4x4 QC,SB, ISB, 5spd, 3. 54LSD, 33x12. 50 cooper STT's Denver off-road bumper with Ramsey RE12k, PIAA series 520 lights, Rancho RS9000's, heavy ft. springs, JVD Torque Enhancer, DiPricol boost and pyro gauges, and a bunch of other little things! www.geocities.com/phrn30 for pics!

 

[Archive]

<font color=blue>On the major fueling boxes.....

Just to keep the playing field level, they all come with elbows for more boost, they all take about 1 hour to install. All them are adjustable power levels, I "think" only TST and PE are adjustable in cab on the move... . I may be wrong (thats the only two I have experience with).

 

[Tom C]

KatDiesel, are you running an auto or stick.
if auto what upgrades have you made to match the power upgrade?

Lsmith, have you made any changes to transmission?

I'm probably upgrade transmission to match power.

 

[Bill H]

Kat

I'm looking at both the VA and EZ. You said you had personal experience with both. Just wondering what you thought of them. They're pretty close in price. Also have a topic in products/accessories about this. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Bill

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'00 2500 QuadCab SLT 4x4,White,5spd,tow package,3. 54,vinyl floor,rear slider,PIAA driving lights,Century "Ultra" matching cap,lost silencer ring. Westin "powdercoat" nerf bars. Rhino lined "rockers" for chip protection. Clearance lights.

 

[E7mack96]

I use the Powermax 2 and am happy with the power gains. It is easy to install, and remove if you sell. I am considering upgrading to the Powermax 3 adjustable. Mark is good to deal with and when I bought my 2001 ,he sent me the map harness within 2 days, cause the one from '99 was different pinout. They also have a Comp. edition which is off road only. (extreme power levels)

Tony

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2001 3500 QC 4X4 Cummins H. O. & 6 Speed, Powermax 2 and needing more power!!!!

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Tom,
When adding power to your cummins with an automatic here are some guidelines we use at DTT.

Basic power upgrades

275 injectors -transmission upgrade not necessary

va or eze box- transmission upgrade not necessary

275 injectors with eze box - suggest vb upgrade or shift kit, tc not necessary but recommended

variable boxes- DO NOT recommend UNLESS the person with the upgrade understands or knows how to adjust the transmission shift points and line pressures for reliability.

Why? Because with fixed power you can calibrate the transmission shift points and line pressures exactly

With variable hp, you must be able to keep adjusting the kick down cable & transmission line pressures according to the level of the box setting for proper shifting.

It is highly unlikely that you will stop and adjust the transmission shift points and pressures to accomodate you pushing the button in the cab to activate the diffetent levels or turning the box off.

Remember with these adjustable boxes you are playing with over 100hp. The shift points under full throttle with the box off and on can be dramatically different.

We suggest to go with the your box of your choice offering fixed power and adding more hp via injectors for the best overall transmission performance and reliability.

We test different combinations in our truck to see what transmission set ups are required with which power upgrades.

We have tried many such as the bullydog combos, with great sucess, the va with 275 ect, edge with 275's also a very pleasing combo,

I presently have Diesel Dynamic's box in my truck with the DD11 injectors as i am testing this combination and i like it very much. This is the combo i am taking to Texas with me and i will see how the guys like it.

Brands are a personal choice, the best advice i can give is that do your home work , from a transmission point of view i would choose fixed power over variale power, before the rest of the guys that have road tested my truck rat me out,i do have the edge hot box, it is a test device only, please keep in mind i am a transmission builder and i am fully aware of the concequences of having this box. We use it for testing and demonstration purposes only.

Bill Kondolay
Diesel Transmission Technology

 

[CannonBall]

Tom, the way I look at it is when doing the upgrades on an ISB, safety must be kept in mind. By that I mean safety for the VP-44.

I have had the pump off of my truck on two different occasions for experimental purposes and it is not built out of the kind of parts that lengends are made from.

The VA has been around a long time and has had great sucess, the downfall is that it requires a seperate boost module.

The EZ has a built in boost module and seems to do well.

In either case I think a set of 275 injectors are in line.

Also, a little exhaust work and you are on your way.

The ultimate upgrade would be the P-7100 pump.

[This message has been edited by CannonBall (edited 02-05-2001). ]

 

[Steve Campbell]

Bill K, I really enjoyed your article on the NV4500 and clutches in the last issue

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1999 Qcab 4x4 Driftwood
Steve

 

[RichB59]

Bill K ,I have a question on Auto trans fluid circulation. I'm curious as to how long it takes to circulate fluid from the pan thru the transmission to the cooler and back. The reason I ask is my temp pickup is in the Mag-Hytech pan.
Thanks Rich

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20yr Mopar Parts Manager,"June of 2000" 2001 quad cab,2wd,auto,354 LSD rear axle,Raven Magnum 8' cap. Mag Hitech trans pan. Isspro gauges Apillar mount. Amsoil air filter.

 

[Bart Timothy]

CannonBall,

How far did you get into the insides of your VP44 and how much do you know about the construction and operation of it? There are sure many questions I'd like to ask and much education that can be gained here. I get the feeling that not many know anything at all about this pump - at least I don't.

Bart

 

[CannonBall]

Bart, I never opened up the VP-44. I was doing some tests with different off set timing keys.

The VP-44 is physically small in size and is very light.

I am comparing it to the P-7100 pump that was on my 94.

 

[Tom C]

Do EZ or VA boxes control boost? I beleave the stock truck has a max boost of 20. 8 and if it goes higher the computer will reduce fueling. will the same happen with these boxes or will they allow the boost to go higher without reducing fuel.

 

[LSMITH]

The EZ does have a boost module in it, the VA does not. I don't know how much boost is possible with the EZ and an otherwise stock truck.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[Homicide]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is the significance of the boost module on the EZ verses the VA, which has no such module.

Getting ready to bomb.

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1999 2500 Quad SLT, 4x4, Auto, SWB, white with Agate leather interior, all options except fog lights. Very happy with the changed 4. 10 gears to 3. 55. 285/75 tires. Towing a '96 21ft Boston Whaler Outrage with 225 hp Johnson and galv. TT. Getting ready to BOMB because the Dodge is a little doggy towing the Whaler and my big Asian butt.

 

[Steve Campbell]

It fools the MAP sensor into thinking that the engine is not seeing any boost pressure above factory settings when in fact pressure is around 28-30 with the van aken and boost module or EZ (with a built in module).

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1999 Qcab 4x4 Driftwood
Steve