3rd Gen High Performance and Accessories (5.9L Only) Talk about Dodge/Cummins aftermarket products for third generation trucks here. Can include high-performance mods, or general accessories. THIS IS FOR THE 5.9L ONLY!

Best Spend of $1,500

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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 02:23 PM
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Best Spend of $1,500

Looking to spend about $1,500 on HP upgrades. Any suggestions? Smarty, AFE and straight pipe? Sorry I'm pretty dumb at this stuff
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 02:27 PM
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****** whistler, rail gauge, pyro and put the rest in a jar for injectors down the road.
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by sledskiing
Looking to spend about $1,500 on HP upgrades. Any suggestions? Smarty, AFE and straight pipe? Sorry I'm pretty dumb at this stuff
Your not dumb by ANY MEANS!! Asking questions is the BEST thing you can do!!
You need to fill out your sig so we can see what year your truck is and if it is a auto or manual.

Id get some gauge's usually the most popular gauge's are a EGT gauge(exhaust temp) and a Boost gauge. Then Id get a Smarty but if you just want something in the 100hp range then id opt for the Smarty JR. As for exhaust man straight pipe will be loud, might want to get a system with a high flow muffler.
and as for intake the AFE's are great but pricey, I have the S&B and love it!

Hope this help alittle and fill in that sig for us!!
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 06:37 PM
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My suggestions...

What year truck?

I would do gauges first.

Hi flow muffler or muffler delete second.

Next, mod your stock air box or do one of the DIY systems that have been widely discussed on here.

Then, if you have some money left over, shop the DTR classifieds for a used programmer of your choice.
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 12:02 AM
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06 QC 2500 SB Big Horn Edition. Will do a full "toy" line up in my sig
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 12:08 AM
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I'd like to keep the sound increase to a min
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 09:33 AM
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Use a muffler delete...I know Geno's Garage and the DTR store sell them...

...and keep the converter on. The stock muffler is the only restrictive piece in your factory system.
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 09:44 AM
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Personally, I would install gauges and a smarty SR or JR. If you want to free up the exhaust, just drop the cat, keeps it quiet in the cab but sounds pretty good outside. As for intakes, I'd keep it stock and just go the PSM route with an Amsoil drop in.
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 10:25 AM
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-Gauges first, EGT, trans temp and FP
-Some kind of CAI, S&B are a bargain
-Something with the exhaust, I'd just change the muffler, my Nelson cost me $67
-Programmer, Smarty's are the current flavor of the day but I love my Bully Dog

Keep and eye on the classieds, you'll stretch that $1500 nicely
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 01:37 PM
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Depending on how much power you want to make and how much fun you intend to have with the added power, I would...
1) Gauges
2) Programmer-I love my smarty sr pod
3) Stick the rest in a savings account in the bank and labell it "TRANNY FUND" and let it grow

When I first got my truck, I put on a muffler delete piece and now I am running with a Silverline muffler. If you want to keep the sound increase to a minimum I would just leave the exhuast alone, or if you want just a little change in the exhuast note, look into any of the mufflers mentioned above.

As for the intake, just ask yourself if you want to be able to hear the turbo whistle all the time. If you do I would look into the *****'s Whistler. I wish I would have seen that write up on here before I messed with my intake.

Good luck and enjoy.
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 02:37 PM
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thanks guys
Does the air intake actually help anything? I do like hearing the turbo

So the must haves:
- Guages
- Programmer (seems Smarty is the hot item)

I'll leave the exhaust alone

I save the rest for the visual accessories.
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by sledskiing
thanks guys
Does the air intake actually help anything? I do like hearing the turbo

So the must haves:
- Guages
- Programmer (seems Smarty is the hot item)

I'll leave the exhaust alone

I save the rest for the visual accessories.
Stick or auto?

If your truck is auto...limit the HP incerase to 60-70 hp and service the tranny. Make sure thay adjust the bands are adjusted at the same time. Anything over 60-70 hp tends to cut trans life considerably. There are some tranny exceptions as in all things in life but this is a rule of thumb sort to say.
If you truck is stick...the only worry you will have is the clutch...

Richard
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 03:55 PM
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How much power are you looking to make?
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 05:17 PM
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For $1,500 I can get you everything you want!!! You'd have a Exhaust, intake, Smarty Jr. and gauges.....

Intake:$269, a nice one
Exhaust: $325
Smarty Jr. just say $500
the rest for gauges....
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Old Apr 12, 2009 | 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Stovetop535
How much power are you looking to make?
Just enough to leave my buddies 06 in the dust when i need to. So i would say on the lower end of what most HP junkies do

Originally Posted by raychem
Stick or auto?

Richard
Auto
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