The "horse" should be in on Friday so I just want to throw out a few things to get some feedback. AFAIK, the truck has <95,000 mi, was dealer maintained, not abused or chipped and is stock. I have heard some talk about the transmision/TC being a weak link, different mods to increase mileage, improve handling, etc., etc., etc. So, if I'm using the truck for transportation, with the occasional blast of smoke on the tailgater, what's the scoop? Does a new intake and 4" straight pipe really make a performance difference? Does removing the silencer ring improve flow? Is the $69 chip that improves mileage really any different than the Bully, Smarty, etc.? Is a cap better than a tonneau cover for aerodynamics? Bottom line, I want to squeeze all the mileage out of this rig as possible without reinventing the wheel or doing things twice.Lastly, is the warranty really for 5/100,000?

 

let see...

auto trans, yes weak link, cant go much over on the hp without trashing it.. 40-60 horses over is about all you can do.. then again, you can put a more agressive setting on your programmer and be just fine.. its all in how you drive it..

intake and exhaust... very minor performance mods.. on my old 12 valve they were good for only single digit gains.. not much on my CR...

69 dollar chip? dude.. u get what you pay for.. IMHO trash that idea from your mind, and get with a proven programmer Smarty, Bullydog, etc etc.. I personally have a smarty and love it.. on level 5 its a pretty sweet daily driver..

handling and suspension.. if your truck is a 4x4, aftermarket trackbar, carli ball joints, and billstein shocks.. however if you want mileage.. get a 4x2..

silencer ring, no improvement, just hear the turbo whistle more...

no idea on the covers, , just dont level out the truck if you want better mileage.. aerodynamic reasons... wanna get better mileage.. drive decently, and keep your air pressure up on the tires as well

no clue on the warranty, i have not had one on my trucks.. but you might wanna check if its transferable or not...

also.. if you need more answers or opinions.. the search function on here is pretty good... lots of reading on your new to you truck...

 

Really appreciate the insight. Great places to start. I figured it would be a toss-up between the Smarty and Bullydog but had to ask! I don't plan on lighting up the tires so the stock HP will do pretty nicely. Nice to know I can tweak it 60HP and not blow the tranny. So, unless something is about to fall off the truck the Smarty will be the first step.

 

Sur5er
You can blow the tranny stock if you drive it like you stole it.. You can do more than the 60hp if you drive carefully. I had mine at 400hp to the tires for 90k on the stock trans before putting the DTT in. If you do not abuse it and keep up with the maintenance it is a solid transmission. I put a Transgo shift kit in at the 30k fluid change to firm the shifts up.
You will like the Smarty and it doe help MPG with moderate use.

Best of Luck with the truck.

 

As a boy who grew up in Brooklyn and could hot wire a car before I was allowed to ride a bike, that's nice to know! You guys use more acronynms than the Army. I'll bite, what's a DTT

 

DTT is the brand name of an aftermarket built transmission.

 

Sur5er
DTT one of the few manufacturers commonly used
http://www.dieseltrans.com/dodge/index.htm
Goerend
http://www.goerend.com/
ATS
http://www.atsdiesel.com/ats2/produc...ge/use/3092308
Suncoast
http://www.suncoastconverters.com/do..._products.html

These are probably the more common you will here referred to

 

Forgot to mention..
This modification alone allows power that was just slipping by the stock transmission make it to the tire. Makes the truck drive completely different than you are used to. Depending on the level of modifications you select this can also be one of the most expensive modifications you can do.
$1k-$7k could be spent modifying the stock transmission...
Do it right the 1st time when you make the decision..

 

Amen to doing it right the first time! Just going to have to go stem to stern and see what makes it to the top of the to do list.

Have a good Turkey Day and thanks for all the help.

 

i second txdiesel007 you will loose a little if you remove the silencer ring or do anything to the intake. add a psm kit to the existing box and get the new mopar filter. the silencer ring and the nylon vanes are used to reduce side shear in the turbo. the very best upgrade to the auto is to change it to a g56. you can get 40% improvement in mpg by getting rid of the in-cylinder egr. this will lower egt by 300* also. you need to change the cam to a colt or pdr, change or hone the nozzles to 35 or 50 hp by ddp. and get a smarty jr. set it on default tow. do not vary from the above or it will not work as well. the exhaust does help but payback is a long time. the cheapest is a 5" farm boys diesel turbo back straight pipe kit and get a m090072 resonator and a m090535 muffler and four clamps from ryder truck parts. this gives a quiet ride and relieves all back pressure from the turbo. the fbd is less than $300 and the ryder parts is $150. i would never own or use a auto but some who have them also recommend a bd.