i have an 07 dodge with the 5.9 and manual trans, and my question is, how much power can you apply to it before you start braking stuff, can someone give me an idea?

 

The consensus seems to be about 100hp as the max before the auto tranny's start to slip and EGT's become more of a nuisance. You can go higher if you have lots of self-control but most get bitten by the bug and mash the hammer too often.

Gauges (imo) are a must, beyond 60hp.

 

Intake and exhaust would be the only thing i would do, anything after that is when its time to consider beefing up other componets.