Hi Folks, I am the proud new owner (as of 10/12/04) of a '01 Dodge 2500 SO 4x4 5 spd with 58,000 miles. The previous owner did a few mods to this truck including straight dual pipes and a BD-Power unit. May be other non-stock mods that are not obvious that I have not found yet.

I believe that the unit is a Race Pro as seen here... http://www.bd-power.com/ram/ramelectronic.html


Anyone have any experience with these? How well do they work? Is there any risk of damaging my engine? It appears that he did not have a gauge set, and I plan on putting one in. This is my first diesel vehicle, so I know nothing about diesel performance, maintenance, etc. so any advice/opinions are welcome.

Thanks!

 

Raven , Get some guages. a fuel pressure guage is The first thing you need.

If your lift pump is weak(low pressure) below 8 psi at idle ,your injector pump will not get fuel lubrication and that is a $1500 part. Idle pressure should be 12-15 psi.


Fuel pressure gauge is the first thing I did and found I had 6 psi at idle. I went a installed a new lift pump from cummins.

Im going to run a fuel additive all the time to help lube the injectior pump.

Your previous owner should have put at least a fuel pressure gauge on first .

Im still learning about the power boxes and havent heard anything about the BD unit . hopefully someone else will help you with that.

Rick

 

the race pro is the same as an edge comp box

 

OK. Next question, while I am debating on what gauges, etc. I want to buy, is there an easy way to check the fuel pressure somewhere in the plumbing under the truck? Correct me if I am wrong, but the Lift Pump is in the tank, right? At least this way, while I am waiting on gauges & mounts to come in, I will know wether or not I need to order a lift pump at the same time.

Thanks,
Raven

 

Raven, you can use an a/c charge hose and a pressure gauge to check for fuel psi.Get a 5' hose so that you can tape to the windshield and get readings while driving, as appossed to no load free rev.
Prefilter is the shrader valve on the filter housing and post filter can be taken at the shrader on the vp44.
If the Race Pro is the same as a comp box and the pump wire is taped, then check fuel psi asap and get gauges soon. I see 14/15 at idle, 11/12 cruising empty, and 8/9 wot. Running under 8 psi is a no-no for the injector pump.

jmho
wayne

 

Raven the lift pump is on the drivers side rear of the motor block.

I got Isspro fuel pressure gauge kit from Hot Rod Diesel. It came with a isolator so you dont run a fuel line ito the cab. Kit is complete . I made a little braket out of angle metal and mounted the isolator by the drivers hood hinge. Get a add-a-link fuse for the gauge light (autozone). You can plug it in at the fuse box on the drivers side dash board in the inturment gauge dimer fuse.

I got a piller pod triple gauge mount too (nice).

Ive had my truck 4 months and seems like ive been working on it for 3. .

 

Are those pressures pre or post filter?

EDIT: Disregard the following question, figured out somebody had actually answered that for me..(Also, excuse my ignorance, but what is the vp44?)

By A/C charge hose, you mean the old R12 style right? In other words, not the 144a.

Thanks for all the help guys. For the first time, I feel like I am behind the wheel of a "REAL TRUCK". My old '79 chevy 4x4 (gas) is pretty strong but nothin compared to this. Also, my 02 Ram 1500 with 4.7 had no power at all.

Also, almost all of my driving is interstate at 70 mph. What kind of mileage should I see? (3.54 gears & 5 spd)

Thanks again!

 

Did you go with Hot Rod Diesel due to price? how much did you shop around? Don't think I saw a link to them on the links page, bu google will solve that.

Did you also get the EGT gauge? I am curious about installation of this... does it require drilling & tapping of the manifold? Gonna search in the other threads and see if I can find an answer to that question....

Thanks!

 

Raven
vp44=injector pump
Quoted pressures are post filter.

Have fun and ask away, there are some real diesel guru's on this site, a wealth of information.

wayne

 

Raven , Hotrod diesel had a good price on the Gauge kit with the isolator. The isolator can be $90 if you buy it seperate.

Alot of guys arent running the isolator though . My new lift pump is reading 13, 13.5 at idle and 12psi when driveing.

im wondering if I eliminated the isolator if my gauge would read alittle higher.

I havent got the pyro,boost and trans temp guages yet. thats next,

I think most guys are putting the pyro pre turbo .