In a couple of months I will have hopefully graduated from basic training and AIT. I am planning on using my sign on bonus to purchase a 2003 or 04 Cummings. It will probably have over 100,000mi so I wont have to worry about voiding the warranty I will be getting a 6spd 4x4 4door. I know that I should first go with gauges then BHAF and exhaust. Then I was thinking a smarty and injectors. Would that get me there and what else would be needed I would like to get there on diesel only. How much would this cost? I am not new to diesels but have never had anything but a stock truck any help would be appreciated.

 

Oh sorry but forgot I want to keep decent mileage and don't need a sled pulling dual disc clutch but one that will do ok on the track and still be able to pull a heavy trailer.

 

You will need a Smarty to get you to 450 or so. A pressure box will get you closer to 500hp. You need to be thinking about a turbo, fuel system and a clutch also. Also keep a budget for stuff that is going to go wrong on a 100,000 truck, believe me I'm at 111,000 on my 03. Injectors will be needed to go over 500 on a 305/555 engine. If you can swing the extra dough, I'd opt for an 04.5-05 model, they can reach 500hp w/ just a Smarty.

 

Clutch=$2000
Turbo=$2000
Smarty=$600
Exhaust=$450
Intake=$100-$450
Gauges=$450
Lift pump=$$450-$600
Injectors=$800-$1000
Modded CP3=$1000-$1500

That list should get you close providing you don't have to stack anything with the Smarty for extra fuel. 500 really isn't that tough to get to but 600 is a whole other ballgame. There could be some extra parts you would need for cooling all of this stuff and that could be, but not limited to, an exhaust manifold, twins, intake horn and intercooler. I'm sure my list will get shot down and picked apart but it should be real close for reality.

 

For street driveability twins would probably be a better choice over a single. Our R700 twins at 550hp run clean spool very nicely and tow awesome.

 

Thanks guys keep em coming. another question at what hp do you need to start thinking about head studs and with 500 hp what quarter mile time is expected

 

You'll never get 500-600 h.p. in a piece of crap Cummings.....

 

Now that there is funny

 

smarty - - 685
mp-8 ---- 360
5" exh. -~ 400
whistler - 100
Con FE ~ 1000
gauges -- 600
lift pump + 2mk filter 600
good turbo 2000
cp3 mod or stage 2 --free to 1200

= about 7k.
if you think you'll eventually go big on power, get dual pumps, and a dual disk the FIRST time arount. don't ask me how i know.

 

Look for used electronics. You can easily save $200-$300.
Do not spend a bunch of money on exhaust. It is a waste of money. Get rid of the cat and swap out the muffler - $150.
Cut open your factory air box and drop in a good filter. $60.


There - I just saved you enough money to pay for a clutch and you can still hit 600hp.

 

1/4 mile times for 500hp 2003 6 speed..............

Not good at all.......maybe low to mid 14's.......

6 speeds arnt for drag racing. A 2005 auto w/ BDDL CL will blow your 03 w/ $8,000 in mods away at the track.

I know know because I have what your planning on minus injectors.

I'm not even going to waste my $$$$ on injectors because im still stuck with a 03 6 speed.

I'm happy where im at and my truck does great as a DD, tow ok but I get turbo surge if I'm under a load in 6th.

Its pretty fast on the freeway when im done shifting, but I'd much rather have a truck that accelerates quickly then one that's a pain to row throuh 5 gears just to hit 70mph.

Judging my the titile of this thread it seems you want as much hp as you can get for X ammount of $$$. You will be money ahead if you get a 04.5+ and 2 seconds quicker in the 1/4 with a built auto doing boosted launches.

If I had to do it all over again I would of saved up a little bit more and gone with a 05 auto.

03-04 6 speeds are great as a daily driver or a mild tow rig but if you have dreams of 500-600hp and 1/4 racing its the WRONG choice

And just because it comes up every single 6 speed thread, yes there is a handful of people out there that race 03 six speeds, the fastest is in the mid 12's but he needs nitrous and lots and lots of $$$$ to get there and lost a bit of driveability.

The people that do it, didnt go searching for a 03 6 speed but bought one and then caught the bug, and are kinda stuck with it like me

 

well you auto might be faster . but my 6 speed will out last you auto 10 to 1. and out pull your auto .

 

What do you mean by out pull? I'll take you up on that.

 

Ive had the bug for years, but still bought an 03 6 speed. Its what I wanted, no emissions crap, better milage and 6 speeds are cheap to build. Besides an autojewmatic is a rich mans tranny.

 

You don't need a modded cp3 right away. I'm getting by with my stock one for right now and I know that I am at least in the 500hp range.