I'll keep the question quick for anyone not wanting to read through a whole paragraph

I'm trying to make some build plans for a Dodge 2500 DD/truck i can take to the drag strip. What/Who should i be looking into for transmission that would hold 500-700 hp (depending on how far down the rabit hole i go)



With that said I would like to take a minute and say hello to all the forum users. I am new to this site but plan on being a regular at some point. I have little to no experience in performance modding a diesel. but thats what has brought me here. I have looked through the forums for a quite a bit and there is a Shart ton of valuable info in here. I started aftermarket modding 3 years ago when I picked up a 04 Grand Prix GTP, Great fun, fast car. But now that I'm out of the navy and back home in kansas I need something that Isn't affraid of going off paved roads. but i still want performance. Lots and lots of performance while not completely sacraficing the DD-ability of the truck. And please by all means if any of this looks wrong or you have ANY input on anything i've said or will say. please please please let me know. I am here to try to gain as much knowledge as i can to have the best build, fastest truck, most reliable parts as i can get. I figure who better to talk to and get advice from but the veterans here

My dream/goal I have done some research and have been saving up the money for a new truck. I want to start with a 2500 Megacab Dodge cummins. We've had dodges for as long as I can remeber for my fathers work trucks and to me they are the only logical answer.

I would like to pull 500-700 hp out of it and still utilize it as a DD. I know by modding this thing that engine life will go down, warenties out the window, and well along with the money.. but I plan on keeping this truck for a long time to come and pretty much be my baby. I want this as a hobby. I am FULLY aware that whatever money I put into with mods will not be coming back out of the truck if/when I must sell the truck. And I am 100% ok with that. I want to go big or go home with this build. i am patient enough to do research and listen to others before taking big steps with this truck.

If you have any build advice, products to stear clear or, products that are a must (from what i've read already.. the smarty system )

and general things to look out for for a new comer.

Again i want to do this right. I want to start with the transmission, go into exhaust, turbo/intake, fuel system, chip. I know its going to cost a lot but i've already figured on at least 25k for mods and the wife is fine with it.

So hello to everyone, and if you have any suggestions please let em roll.

 

I'll tell ya whatever you want to hear if you give me her sister's number.

I'm still trying to convince mine that a weekend doing ball joints and injectors/timing is time well spent....preventative maintenance....ya that's it.

Seriously, welcome aboard! I'm sure others will chime in as my experience is just fixing what's already broken. Sounds like you'll have one heck of a ride, so cheers!

 

HAHa yeah she's awesome. I've had a build plan put together for 3 years now, I had planned on doing a new camaro but now that I'm back home i need something i can go hunting/fishing in and take off and do a little off roading. nothing serious but something more than a souped up camaro could do. I really do need a lot of help with this. I have a lot to learn.

 

Check out the "performance" section under the appropriate "generation" for your truck, a ton of experience throughout the forums.

 

get an older 5.9 truck to mod up, less emissions junk and cheaper so you can put more money into the build

 

LOL I did, some one told me to post here instead...

 

I was looking at a 5.9 04-06, you think i should go older or would this about fit the years you have in mind?

 

I think for that level power a 3rd gen 5.9 should be somewhat easy to make that power. For the tranny, someone like ATS or Goerend should be able to build you the right one for a small fortune. But the 4ish thousand is worth the ability of adding tons of power and still not really worrying about making it home. Just guessing here, but gauges should be next, then turbo (s) injectors, head studs/orings might be necessary for that level horsepower. Twin CP3 pumps, water/meth injection....the list goes on. Sounds like fun if you already have a budget for it. Have fun.

 

Did you pick a year of truck to go with? 3rd gen's are easy to make power with.The only thing is the melt down problems and the weak rods.The 2nd gen with a vp is harder to get cr hp out of but can be done.However you will still have a vp pump and the problems associated with reliability.You could always p pump it and have a nice set up.On 01&02 you also have the torque management issue to deal with.94 to 98 12v can be built nasty with out problems stated above.They all can make 500 hp.As far as a tranny mine came from atd from up in wisconsin.Charlie built mine to hold 800 hp.I am not near that.The shop has a dyno for trannys.Atd can build you whatever you need they build nice triple disc converters.Good luck on picking a year to build, most of all have fun bud. Thats what it is all about.