Hey guys. I realize this is a broad question with a million variables. So, my brother just bought an 07 5.9 48re 4x4 with 18k on it. Pretty nice truck. He lives in Western Montana and his elevation is around 5 or 6,000ft. Here's the deal. He has been asking me how to make a solid 12.5 truck that could still tow the average loads, great street ability, drive cross country, and was pretty much bullet proof. Well, I told him about the whole bullet proof thing. He wants future issues that could have been prevented taken care of, like head studs, etc…. I gave him my opinion, but now it’s your turn. There are a lot of guys on here that have tried and know what works, and know a heck of a lot more than me. Money is pretty much no issue with this guy... to a point. So, lets not get to cheap on parts like, "for this price, you can't beat it." So, how would you build it?
Thanks guys.

 

(insert aftermarket company) Built trans.
Cam and springs
Head studs
Twins
Smarty Sr.
New injectors

 

No lift pump or CP3? Try an be a specific as you can too. Turbo size? Injector size?

 

(insert aftermarket company) Built trans. - with billet input / output
XXXXX Stage 3 CP3
Fuel Pump (AD150 on sale)
Guages for Trans, FP, RP, EGT, Boost
Pressure Box (MP8, Quad)
Sterring Shaft Support and track bar to tighten steering add reliability

 

I have a solid 12.5 truck, and I have not had any problems... See my sig... He could do better and get springs while he has the top end apart putting injectors in, tho...

 

Hey Hat, what do you usually get for mileage? Highway? Off subject, but curious with the mods you have? Thanks

 

Towing at elevation takes a lot of turbo to keep things cool. Spool up at elevation is slow even for the stock turbo. Keeping those two items in mind, here's what he should do:

Take a trip down to MPI in Idaho for a set of stocker over S-400 twins. Make sure he has an upgraded trans and fueling first so Nathan can perfectly tune the twin setup.

For fueling, he will probably want a stage 2 CP3, 100-140 HP injectors, and a good lift pump/filtering setup.

Programming is a personal choice but there seems to be one brand of tuner that everyone likes.

Gauges are a must for towing with more than stock power, especially at altitude.

The HP goal should be 650-700 RWHP.

For reliability, have him add head studs and an egt based water injection system that will kick on automatically when he's pulling 20K over Lookout Pass at 75mph.

That build will cost 15 to 20K depending on who does the install and what brand of parts is used.

It doesn't take 15-20K to go 12.5 in the 1/4mile, it just takes a lot to reliably go that fast and maintain stellar driveability.