monsteredge

Hi I just bought my first diesel a 2003 dodge 2500 auto. It is all stock and i would like to do a few basic mods(exhaust, intake, computer,......) nothing too major just a little to wake it up some. it has the 250hp rated motor in it. I remember reading some where that in 03 the 250 and the 305ho engines were all mecihanically the same the only diffrence was the electrical and the 250 could easally be changed to the 350, is this true or am i just reading a line of bs. what is a good company to get the mods from

Thanks
Matt

05ChainSmoker

I thought the same thing when i bought my truck, i would just do a few miner things to it, but as soon as i bought my first mod i havent been able to stop i guess im just addicated to power. You should prob get a good set of gauges first then a lift pump and then prob a smarty i know i would have one if i didnt have an 05. You prob want a good intake and exahaust to help things breath a little better to.

jeepme79

I've got an extra Edge Juice w/ Attitude if you are interested. Big HP difference.

5.9Excursion

I think it's just differences in the ECM for the different power ratings. Get a Smarty and you should be laying down the same as someone with a 305 hp engine with a smarty.

Dan Marino

I think if its a 250 HP motor then you have the 47RE tranny also. Thats is a difference b/c 305 has a 48RE. How much a difference I dont know.

vzdude

Not necessarily a cut and dry statement. I happen to be one ( all be them few and far between!) that has a 250hp and the 48 trans.

There are differences in the oil cooler nozzles and pistons IIRC. Nothing major, and agreed.....a few mods will get you right there with the HO motors, with comparable mods, no problem.

Dan Marino

cool vz.... I didnt know that.

soulezoo

I have a 235hp SO with 48re... With the SO models they use a "saddle" type of oil cooling instead of a nozzle type oil cooling (for pistons) that is not as effective. Other than that it is all ECM programming. To my limited knowledge, Smarty is the only one that brings the SO up to HO levels the adds from there.

monsteredge

so if i would put a smarty on my 250hp i would see tthe same performance as the 305hp with the same mods?

also what is a good exhaust, air intake and would a diffrent waste gate do anything for me?

I was thinking about getting the banks six gun package but after reading about hem on here it sounds like it is overpriced junk. the main thing i liked abot the sixgun was the pda you could use with it and get all the digital readouts on one monitor. is there another company that would make a gauge system like that if i would go with a smarty?

87BRGN

[QUOTE=monsteredge;2089861]so if i would put a smarty on my 250hp i would see tthe same performance as the 305hp with the same mods?

also what is a good exhaust, air intake and would a diffrent waste gate do anything for me?

For example, the smarty brings your motor to 305 rating then adds power from there. So the 40 hp setting for a 305 motor actually gives your motor 95
and 70 hp setting is 125 on your truck. IIRC. I'm pretty sure on this but if I'm wrong someone will speak up.

Bill Davis

With an 03 SO the first thing you need to determine is what transmission
you have. If it is a 47re, be good to it. Mine never gave any problems
in 99,000 miles. If you pull watch your temps and the color of the
transmission fluid (if its red go ahead) and it will serve you well. When pulling
a 11,000 lb trailer I shifted mine out of overdrive at 60 mph. Mine was
stock except for a vented tailgate. Driven right it will get better fuel mileage
than most. Much better than the 08 2500 I traded for.
Listen to VZ Dude--This guy knows his way around the 03 SO. I picked
up several helpful hints from him.
Welcome to the world of Dodge Diesels.
BCD

JJPage

TST will make them equal also! Ask Tomeygun.