Lurch519

I am reading the posts on this site as much as I can and am getting a little confused with some of the manufacturer claims on thier products. I have a trucker friend that keeps telling me that if it was that easy to crank up the power and in some cases fuel mileage ( which is not having to stick your foot into the floorboards as far for the same amount of power I guess) then why dosen't DC just put that programming into the computer? I'm not talking waaaaaay out there with some of the mods I have read about, but the ones that seem to mildly increase power and fuel mileage?I'm adding a 4 inch exhaust with an exhaust brake soon with gauges and would like to put a set of EDM injectors ( a mild set) and some thing like an edge comp but will wait another year or so untill I'm out of warrenty to hook it up all the way. I just want to have some extra power and squeeze every drop of fuel as far as I can. Yep, I know that the transmission is the weak link and has to be up-graded before I get wierd with anything else. Sorry to be so long winded.

j-fox

If an advertiser is telling you their product will give you better mileage, BEWARE!.
I can tell you 275 injectors did help mine-2-3 mpg. Then switched to DD II's and didn't lose anything IF driven correctly. By that I mean not using the extra power.
Also a mild 'box' will help both power and mileage.
I have read adds that say 25% increase is possible. Don't trust them and won't ever buy from them.
A tighter converter will help a little around town too.
As too whether or not these parts will pay back depends on how long you keep the truck.

Scotty

If you look back at where the power was for the Cummins in the Ram when it first came out in 89 and compare that to the 04.5, DC is adding the 'mild' power quite often. Its almost double what the first Cummins engine had.
Also, no matter what the power is from the factory, there will always be enhancements available whether its a gasser or a diesel in the automotive market.

There are also several performance add ons for the big rigs too and they also keep coming out with new designs and bigger torque numbers.

I agree about the fuel mileage and the right foot to a point.
As I follow the threads on the 04.5 there is a concern about lower mileage for emissions as a trade off.

You can improve mileage to a point and then theres a tradeoff there too.

jughead

i added appr. 100 hp on the rollers to my 90 ctd. mileage went from 19 to 21.1 at the same speed and same road trip. REMEMBER same speed.

infidel

It mostly has to do with EPA emissions regulations.
It seems less smog = more fuel used.

Cummins66

I agree with infidel, I think most of it has to do with emissions. When we add these performance upgrades it will usually not meet the emissions standards. But a manufacturer has to put out a truck that will meet these standards. Fortunatly for those of us in states without emissions tests to pass inspection can really turn them up. As you can see with the new 600, as better technology is used it becomes possible to get more power while still meeting the emissions requirements. The only down side is that it seems to be affecting the fuel economy.
The other thing is that the more power put under the hood, the stronger the rest of the truck has to be. Most obviously the transmission, anyone who adds upgrades will have to modify the transmission in some way (auto or manual). If a manufacturer puts that power under the hood, then they still have to warranty all the parts that the added power affects. And we all know how much they love to do warranty work .

Lurch519

I'm a bit of a bonehead with these compression ignition critters, but thanks to this website I'm a learnin'. The general rule seems to be that MILD power upgrades ( exhaust, intake, a "box" and maybe a set of injectors along with beefing up the tranny) will give me better mileage as long as I get that last remaining brain cell in my cranium to tell my foot to lay off the throttle unless I REALLY need it. I appreciate all who gave their two cents to help me figure where to go with my 'lil truck!

bluebull

If your upgrading for more fuel mileage then you will probably be disappointed. After adding everything in my signature I have yet to gain anything in the fuel mileage department and I drive like a little old lady on Sunday most of the time. When I do drive to have fun it is all from the extra power.

RowJ

I have never gained any mileage with a mod. Did them one at a time and while I love my truck as is - never saw any increase!
Good news = over 400 hp and never lost any mileage either!.