I own a 06 Ram 2500 5.9 Cummins Diesel Turbo, I want to improve my gas mileage as well as power, as I pull a 13,000 lbs 5th wheel trailer. Looking to upgrade air intake and exhaust.

1. What is the consensus on which is best: Banks vs Bully Dog?
2. Can you get specific as to which model within Banks or Bully would be best?
3. Who would be best to install this upgrade? Dodge dealer, mechanic, me ?(I can change oil, rotate tires, install ride rite air bags, side step rails, bull bar, etc.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

mayres

 

Are you just looking for an intake and exhaust? There are way better options out there if that's all you want.

 

Go Banks,,

 

did not think Go Banks would be the 1st response. Banks is WAY over priced for the power. Bully dog, smarty, unless ur not looking for big #'s I would go with and edge juice w/outlook

 

Are you asking about intake and exhaust or ??


I'm putting in an S&B intake.

Why change the whole exhaust? Unless you're going to be doing some serious SERIOUS mods, keep the factory 4" stainless, just change the muffler to a more free flowing one. I put in a 40" Nelson, 4" in and out, straight through, not obnoxiously loud (maybe you're into loud) and very cheap, pics in my gallery.

 

if you want over priced over rated junk, then go with banks. but bully dogs the way togo.

 

Ok, I'm 50 years old with 5 kids. Only looking to improve my gas mileage and pulling power when towing the beast. Given that info, what do you think I need?
mayres

 

"...improving pulling power"

Sorry, that's kinda funny, look at some of the work people have done to their trucks on here to get more power, there is NO limit, other than the amount of money of course!

Like I said above, change the muffler and air intake for now, see if you have enough power for what you use it for.
Also, fill in your signature so we know what you're driving. If it's an auto you can't do much without frying the tranny, then it can get VERY expensive.

 

Ok, Fisherguy, if I did the S&B intake and changed out the muffler to a more free flowing one, how much are we talking. Can any mechanic do it? What about the computer modifications, is that self explanatory? Actually, can I do the air intake part and take it to a muffler shop for the exhaust? And yes, it's an automatic. I appreciate the info.
mayres

 

Juice w/ Attitude?

The simplest, most certain thing you can do on your truck is put a Smarty on it. If you can follow instructions, you can put a Smarty programmer on your truck. Keep it on low settings for your stock truck, but your mileage and power should go up.

If the price is too much, you can pick up a used Bullydog Triple Dog in the classifieds for half the price of a Smarty.

Be sure to remove both of these products before ever going to a dealer. Dealer sees either one and will void your engine/tranny warranty.

 

I had Banks on my truck for a year, liked the towing power it gave me. I just wanted something faster than Banks. I am selling my Banks in the DTR classifieds.

 

there is a 06 smarty in the classified, it's a pretty good deal too...(not mine)

 

Sorry, not making fun of you, but everyone's version of 'more power' is different and yours will be too if you keep coming to this or any other diesel forum. Stock is probably enough, more is better, but a little more than that is always 1 step away and WAY more fun!


I'd get some kinda air cleaner, lotsa people on here like AFE but they're way more money than they're worth I think. There's lotsa options, the S&B's are only about $200.

I got a Nelson muffler cuz it sounds good, flows well and is cheap, doesn't sound obnoxious like some "performance" mufflers, available at your local Cummins store. You'llneed a shop or friend with a welder for the install and need to find some 4" 45º bends.

After that it's up to you, your auto is the weak link, much more than a towing chip and it'll need major work. Also, even with just a towing chip a set of gauges would be a good investment, at least get a pyrometer especially if you tow.

My plan was to keep mine stock except for intake and exhaust and gauges, but a member here rolled his truck and I got his S&B and Bully Dog Triple Dog for about half of retail. Keep an eye on the classifieds, lotsa people on here try lotsa different chips or programmers etc and sell the used stuff pretty cheap.

Keep an eye on this place, do some searches, ask questions, there's lotsa people here who have done or tried lotsa different things that always have good advice, it's a great place to learn tons.
Have fun
Will

 

Not sure about intakes since mine is custom, and before that i just used an afe drop in filter and moded airbox(stay away from banks though), but i would replace your muffler with something like a magnaflow, and then if you want some electronic performance get something like a quad standard, or a bullydog and leave it down low to save your stock tranny. I would stay away from a smarty because your stock tranny/clutch will only be able to use level 1 or 2 if you tow, and thats alot of money for something you cant use all of. JMHO

[QUOTE]"...improving pulling power"

Sorry, that's kinda funny, look at some of the work people have done to their trucks on here to get more power, there is NO limit, other than the amount of money of course!
QUOTE]
Im hovering around 600HP and still tow heavy often

 

Ok, Here's the tentative plan:
1. Purchase S&B intake filter for $194.61
2. Purchase 40" Nelson muffler for $ ? do I need to go dual exhaust?
3. Purchase triple dog pup with monitor for $700-800.00 on e-bay (local guy/dealer wants $950-975.) I'm concerned buying used, can I still get downloads if I'm not the original owner/purchaser?
mayres