Not to steal the thread, but how much difference do you think having a basic single disc billet TC and a VB would have made?
Also, back to the original post, what should we be seeing for stock boost?

 

A good single disc WITH A VB would probably hold 350hp, but as long as it's apart, a 3 disc with lifetime warranty is much smarter in my opinion.

Stock boost seems to range from 34 - 38.

 

2004.5 with cummins 600, approx. 30 psi of boost.(stock)




03, 305, h.o., 4x4, qc, lb, dark slate met, 6sp, 3:73
superlift 2",dual steer. stab., banks 6gun-speedloader-pyro-boost-big head waste gate, 4"magnaflow, k-n fipk, 33"toyo, hellwig rear swaybar,pml diff. cover,amsoiled,power slot rotor,ebc pads, reccaro seat, suncoast creation ram air hood (srt-10 style)modified to be fonct. with diesel, fx trail nerfbar,heberram shift ****.

 

Great, good info guys. Now that I know my truck can handle around 325-350 hp, what type of engine or exhaust mods do I need to get there. I see alot of people talking about alot of different ecu and software mods. but which one would work best for what I want. I'm looking for good dependability with the box and only looking to get 60-90 hp more.

 

then get the quad tow module. 65hp non adjustable box

 

That's probably the most bang for the buck. However, if doing any towing I wouldn't run it without guages - now you're talking more money.
My thoughts would be to go with the Quad Commander set up or the Edge Juice set up. That way you have some adjustability on power settings, built in gauges, and safety features such as defueling if your egts start to get too high.

 

How does the box know egt's? Do I have to wire in guages?

 

I though about an 'all in one' box but decided I like the anolog gauges better. You can tell at a glance what's going on without having to actually 'read' the thing, plus it gives you more flexability having seperates if something goes wrong with any given item.

With gauges you might also want to consider opening the air flow up, new air cleaner and muffler, don't chop off a perfectly good exhaust system unless you have tons-o-money.

I went with an S&B filter and a 40" Nelson muffler which is real cheap at your local Cummins shop, pics and info in my gallery.

Be warned though, once you start looking around on here the bug takes over!

 

Ain't that the truth. I was never going to go over 450hp. Ooops!

 

... and I was going to keep it stock till the warranty was up. I almost lasted a year, stoopid classifieds!!

 

Your '04.5 should be able to reach 32-34 psi boost stock.

 

My opinion:

Replacement Muffler
Aftermarket Air Filter (I have trueflow, but will probably get the amsoil dry filter)
Guages or Quadzilla Commander (i have old school guages but would have gotten the commander if it were out (I'm a computer geek, like electronics))
Power: I LOVE MY SMARTY, but if you are serious about only wanting 60-90 I agree with the quad xzt....i've had self control so level 3 (60hp) on the smarty has been excellent, but quad's a lot cheaper for the same 60hp
Bilsteen 5100's from Geno's

Again, enjoy the truck! Their a blast!

 

Pacific Performance Engineering FWIW when testing tuners this one was said to be the most impressive by one of the guys at PIERS

 

Thanks guys for all your help. It looks like I might be leaning towards the edge juice or quad commander. This site is starting to get real addicting. My only concern has always been causing damage to a perfectly good truck with these mods and after all the responses I feel safe within the 60-90hp range.

jgiachino, how has the exhaust helped your truck?

 

A muffler replacement (some say removal) is mandatory....the stock one is too restrictive with any power mods and will hurt your egt's. I put the cat back borla on becasue i got a great deal....if i had to pay full price i would have just gone with a muffler replacement....i love the sound, lack of drone, and egt impact of the borla, but $ for $, we already have a 4" exhaust, so dont really believe there is a need for the $ investment in a full cat back system....unless u have money to burn. I've never run only a muffler replacement, but from these boards, most appear to like the donaldson or the mbrp replacement mufflers.....do a search on each of those to narrow it down or create a new pst.