Performance on a budget - Help!
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Performance on a budget - Help!
My first post...looks like a wealth of information and knowledge here.
I just bought an 07 Ram 3500 with the 5.9 Cummins - love it!(had 2 powersmokes before and I really like the way this cummins runs)
Here's the deal - I'm on a tight budget - we just had a baby and I'm building a house, but I think I can sneak in a few goodies, with your help.
Looks like exhaust, more air flow and a good tuner are key.
Exhaust
-------
I'm thinking that rather than swap the whole system, just install a good stainless muffler for improved flow. I think MBRP model # Mk96116 is a direct bolt-on replacement?
Air Flow
-------
What's the best one available, given my tight budget?
Tuner
------
Looks the Diablosport Predator is in my budget - is it any good? What others in a similar price range exist? Will it take into account my increased airflow and exhaust, or does it base it's settings on a stock truck?
Lastly, at some point in time, I'm gonna need guages and I'm concerned about any possible engine damamge in running too hot of a setting.
Should I be? What's a good safe setting ? I won't be doing much towing with it yet.
Sorry for all the newbie questions, and I do appreciate your opinions and help.
I just bought an 07 Ram 3500 with the 5.9 Cummins - love it!(had 2 powersmokes before and I really like the way this cummins runs)
Here's the deal - I'm on a tight budget - we just had a baby and I'm building a house, but I think I can sneak in a few goodies, with your help.
Looks like exhaust, more air flow and a good tuner are key.
Exhaust
-------
I'm thinking that rather than swap the whole system, just install a good stainless muffler for improved flow. I think MBRP model # Mk96116 is a direct bolt-on replacement?
Air Flow
-------
What's the best one available, given my tight budget?
Tuner
------
Looks the Diablosport Predator is in my budget - is it any good? What others in a similar price range exist? Will it take into account my increased airflow and exhaust, or does it base it's settings on a stock truck?
Lastly, at some point in time, I'm gonna need guages and I'm concerned about any possible engine damamge in running too hot of a setting.
Should I be? What's a good safe setting ? I won't be doing much towing with it yet.
Sorry for all the newbie questions, and I do appreciate your opinions and help.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,221
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From: C.S.U. Pueblo Co.
Not positive about the exhaust, you can make yourself a BHAF(big honking air filter) for about 20 dollars, or you can dril big holes in your air box and get a good drop in filter. You can also get a Quadzilla standard box(65HP one setting) for less then 300, it would all be safe.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 0
Likes: 2
From: Port Deposit, MD
Heres the deal.
Your truck already has a full 4" exhaust. Ditching the muffler and replacing it with plain old 4" tubing will help keep everything cool and flowing (SOUNDING) real nice.
The stock air box is reported to be absolutely fine for mild modifications. You can do a search on "Stock Air Box" or "Air Box mods" and get some good tips/pictures on how to modify the stock box and tube for some more flow and better turbo whistle. Might as well search "silencer ring removal" while your at it.
If you insist on a new intake set up, I have found S&B to the cheapest by far and still a quality system. Expect to spend about $185.00 shipped for that unit with the filter, ready to go.
Tuner= SMARTY.
Gauges: As gay as it sounds, I would (and did) do them FIRST. It will give you a baseline on your readings, you'll know what is considered "normal" or within stock parameters for your truck. A lot of us have analog gauges, more and more are going with the monitor (LCD) style all in one set up. They both have their pro's and con's. Expect to drop about $400 on a good set of analog gauges and the related hardware, the same or maybe even less on a monitor type.
Good Luck.
Use the search button, it's your friend.
Your truck already has a full 4" exhaust. Ditching the muffler and replacing it with plain old 4" tubing will help keep everything cool and flowing (SOUNDING) real nice.
The stock air box is reported to be absolutely fine for mild modifications. You can do a search on "Stock Air Box" or "Air Box mods" and get some good tips/pictures on how to modify the stock box and tube for some more flow and better turbo whistle. Might as well search "silencer ring removal" while your at it.
If you insist on a new intake set up, I have found S&B to the cheapest by far and still a quality system. Expect to spend about $185.00 shipped for that unit with the filter, ready to go.
Tuner= SMARTY.
Gauges: As gay as it sounds, I would (and did) do them FIRST. It will give you a baseline on your readings, you'll know what is considered "normal" or within stock parameters for your truck. A lot of us have analog gauges, more and more are going with the monitor (LCD) style all in one set up. They both have their pro's and con's. Expect to drop about $400 on a good set of analog gauges and the related hardware, the same or maybe even less on a monitor type.
Good Luck.
Use the search button, it's your friend.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Simi Valley, Calif.
IMHO, I would think about doing gauges to keep tabs on everything else you plan to do.
If your truck is an auto, Id go with EGT, Tranny temp and Fuel Pressure. Maybe consider a boost also.
Better safe than sorry.
The MBRP your considering is a direct replacement.
Dont appologize for the newbie questions.
We have all been there and thats how we learn.
Good luck with your truck.
If your truck is an auto, Id go with EGT, Tranny temp and Fuel Pressure. Maybe consider a boost also.
Better safe than sorry.
The MBRP your considering is a direct replacement.
Dont appologize for the newbie questions.
We have all been there and thats how we learn.
Good luck with your truck.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 1
From: Utah
you can do a homemade intake like mine it's pretty cheap to set-up...and it sounds awesome flows more air then you would need too!!
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=129265
flows more air then you would need too!!https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=129265
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 0
Likes: 2
From: Port Deposit, MD
Now were talkin, you can at least be assured you won't have to drop 4 G's on a new performance auto.
I like the mineral too, I sometimes wish I had waited and went with that color.
Nice.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
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Yea, I didn't want to take a chance on an auto with all the torque this motor has on tap.
I was going to get the Inferno Red, then at the last minute changed my mind - this mineral gray is absolutely stunning in the daylight.
I was going to get the Inferno Red, then at the last minute changed my mind - this mineral gray is absolutely stunning in the daylight.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 1
From: C.S.U. Pueblo Co.
Heres the deal.
Your truck already has a full 4" exhaust. Ditching the muffler and replacing it with plain old 4" tubing will help keep everything cool and flowing (SOUNDING) real nice.
The stock air box is reported to be absolutely fine for mild modifications. You can do a search on "Stock Air Box" or "Air Box mods" and get some good tips/pictures on how to modify the stock box and tube for some more flow and better turbo whistle. Might as well search "silencer ring removal" while your at it.
If you insist on a new intake set up, I have found S&B to the cheapest by far and still a quality system. Expect to spend about $185.00 shipped for that unit with the filter, ready to go.
Tuner= SMARTY.
Gauges: As gay as it sounds, I would (and did) do them FIRST. It will give you a baseline on your readings, you'll know what is considered "normal" or within stock parameters for your truck. A lot of us have analog gauges, more and more are going with the monitor (LCD) style all in one set up. They both have their pro's and con's. Expect to drop about $400 on a good set of analog gauges and the related hardware, the same or maybe even less on a monitor type.
Good Luck.
Use the search button, it's your friend.
Your truck already has a full 4" exhaust. Ditching the muffler and replacing it with plain old 4" tubing will help keep everything cool and flowing (SOUNDING) real nice.
The stock air box is reported to be absolutely fine for mild modifications. You can do a search on "Stock Air Box" or "Air Box mods" and get some good tips/pictures on how to modify the stock box and tube for some more flow and better turbo whistle. Might as well search "silencer ring removal" while your at it.
If you insist on a new intake set up, I have found S&B to the cheapest by far and still a quality system. Expect to spend about $185.00 shipped for that unit with the filter, ready to go.
Tuner= SMARTY.
Gauges: As gay as it sounds, I would (and did) do them FIRST. It will give you a baseline on your readings, you'll know what is considered "normal" or within stock parameters for your truck. A lot of us have analog gauges, more and more are going with the monitor (LCD) style all in one set up. They both have their pro's and con's. Expect to drop about $400 on a good set of analog gauges and the related hardware, the same or maybe even less on a monitor type.
Good Luck.
Use the search button, it's your friend.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 0
Likes: 2
From: Port Deposit, MD
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 125
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Yea, the Smarty's kinda too much for my budget right now...believe me, with 2 sport bikes and a bunch of nice trucks, I've dropped a ton of money on mods in my day and it's killin' me
having to be a tight wad right now !
having to be a tight wad right now !
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Wandering the South
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Abilene, Texas
you can do a homemade intake like mine it's pretty cheap to set-up...and it sounds awesome flows more air then you would need too!!
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=129265
flows more air then you would need too!!https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=129265
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Cypress Texas
I would have to agree with P.J. Save the money on the exhaust just replace the muffler and mod your air box and add a filter. Take the money you saved there and get a smarty. I believe you would be saving more money in the long run going that route.