Hi

Just joined list today and have spent last several hours reading posts. I have just purchased a 2004.5 "600" with automatic tranny. I have never owned a diesel before and have never udgraded any of my trucks in the past.

My objective here is to get some more power and possibly gas mileage as I am looking at towing a 27ft TT and will do a lot of traveling in the mountains over several high passes. The more I read posts the more confused I become. It seems that if I enhance my power in one area it affects almost everything else in a snowballing manner. Power chip will mean more fuel which requires bigger fuel lines and pumps. Exhaust can lead to several other requirements. Where does it stop.

I would like to know what stages do I begin with and how do I decide what to purchase first and where do I stop.
I would like to get at least up to 400 hp and 800 torque.

Can anyone recommend any performance shops that have years of experience in this area and came help me avoid a lot of mistakes. The competition seems fierce out there and there are improved products almost everyday.

 

Fill out your signature so we can know what you have it will help a lot
first off.. GAUGES GAUGES GAUGES... (EGT, boost, tranny temp, fp....)
Air Intake
Better free flowing muffler since you already have the complete 4"
Chip/module
The skies the limit just hold on to your wallet

 

Paul,

You have know idea what you have gotten yourself into, CONGRADULATIONS!

Here is how you modify your truck:

1. Get tight with UPS driver. You will need strategic places to hide packages from wife.

2. A seperate bank account helps.

3. Read all you can here, I have found many helpful excuses to use on wife when she discovers what I am up to.

4. Major engine or tranny modifications may require truck to be gone for a day or two. I found the old dealer recall, waiting for parts excuse works real well.

5. If you need help, holler, we are here for you.

Seriously, everything HorseHauler said, in the order he typed.

Gauges, Air Intake, Free Flow Muffler, and Power Module/Box.

www.genosgarage.com is a good place for parts. Good people to deal with, and fast shipping.

This is just my opinion, but I would not go any bigger then the Edge EZ (or equivalant) Power Box, without upgrading the tranny. The 48re is stout, but it will only handle so much. This will be your weak link at those 400+ hp numbers. Some here will disagree, it's just my opinion. My tranny upgrade was the best modification I have done to my truck. ATS, DTT and SunCoast are the big 3 companies for our transmissions. Lots of happy customers from all 3 of them.

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

Mike,

Those are great directions/input,...especially 1 thru 5. That made my day.

 

Just post your Credit card # for us and we will HOOK you up
Other things some of us will reccomend is changing out all the fluid to Synthetic.
as others have said, Gauges are usually the best FIRST thing to go with. That way you can see what you have now before any real BOMBS.
Check with your local deal techs also on what they report to DC about Mods, that can make a difference on what you do also.

 

Almost as if the truck was a completely engineered system of components that were designed to work together, huh?

Kidding aside, there's a difference between 400HP for street use and 400HP for towing use (towing places a lot more load on the engine, obviously). First and foremost is a set of gauges... pre-turbo EGT, boost, and tranny temp (because you're going to tow) are requirements. Fuel pressure is also very important if you're going to keep the stock fuel pump.

Next is the power adder(s)... right now, the TST PowerMax will give you the broadest range of power and adjustability, and is also a great box to use for a tow rig, because it's got the ability to build power down low in the RPM range, where you need it. If you go this route, you can delete the EGT and boost gauges above, and use the ones provided with the TST remote.

To make that kind of power, you'll need a better intake. The Scotty Ram Air 3 is a great choice - will provide lots of fresh air, and will help cool your EGT's a little better.

Your exhaust is already a 4" system, but the stock muffler (and cat) add some restriction to the exhaust. Replace the muffler with a straight-through unit. As far as the cat, well.... you're on your own for that decision.

At 400HP, you're going to be right on the ragged edge of what your stock transmission can handle... and the towing won't help it. Consider a torque converter/valve body upgrade.

The stock fuel system is iffy at this power level... I would STRONGLY suggest adding a pusher pump to make sure fuel pressure stays positive.

Now - for the sticker shock. You're looking at roughly $3,700 for the parts. Labor for all this would take about two full days for a professional shop - several weekends for you.

Oh, and as far as the factory warranty goes... your powertrain warranty is basically shot when you do this.

 

I think we scared Paul

 

I had the exact same question that Paul had.

Also thanks for the answers to the wife questions, no doubt this come from a person of experience in these matters.

 

I have a 32' fifth wheel that weights about 12,700 # loaded and this summer we took the new 235/600 on about a 7,000 mile trip.
This included Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and back to Oregon. The truck pulled the trailer great we went over the rockie mountains from Denver to Utah in high gear. The mileage was not great at 7.4 average. But I don't know why you would want any more power.