I haven't tapped mine yet, the pump is original (131K miles) and I don't have the money for another one, should it fail earlier than I would like.

 

Seems to me that an EZ or untapped Comp with some big injectors would make serious power without taking a chance on the 98.5 VP44.

 

As others have said, if it has the original pump you have a very good chance of losing it after you tap the wire. I have a low milage 98.5 and I failed my pump on the first 5x5 pull. With that said, I wish I would have kept the comp. box instead of getting the EZ box.

 

if these pumps fail as often as everyone likes to say they do, then its HIGHLY unlikely the original pump is in any vehicle of that age.

im tapping mine without gauges. trust your vehicle. geesh!

 

My dads 98.5 is doing very well with 89k miles and 30k with a blue chip 80hp box which taps the pump wire. only problem is that we had to put a clutch in it.
DM01

 

They DO fail a lot more often than you see here on the forums, ESPECIALLY once you tap the wire. Proof of that is in the number of shops working on them They don't invest in the equipment unless there is a good profit awaiting they're investment.

However I do admire your tenacity, even if it is equal to playing Russian Roulette with all six rounds in the cylinder hahaha

 

Well, I will say it until I'm blue in the face I guess... .....the wire tap does not cause the VP44 to fail but rather precipitates an existing problem within a bad pump - you simply speed up the inevitable......mainly a worn out pump body or rotor to housing clearances being too tight.....tapping a good pump won't hurt it or compromise it's longevity and not tapping a bad pump won't stop the inevitable failure. To all those that are happy with an EZ instead of the Comp - great, it's your choice but it won't stop a bad pump from going South.....for many of us the EZ simply isn't enough....we want the power and adjustability of the Comp.

 

Have had an EZ on for over 30,000 miles and a Comp now with just over 5,000. Has been tapped for around 3,000. Runs like a crazy. Engine runs excellent. No problems at all. Have 148,000 uncorrected miles and still on the original VP-44. Run the COMP on 2x3 all the time. Use 5x5 when racing someone and at the strip. Of course when showing off as well.

 

I made the same assertion a few years back over on the TDR - about failures caused by adding a box. Mark Chappell from TST immediately set me straight by presenting all kinds of statistics of VP44 failures with the wire tapped vs. un-tapped. The percentage failure rate was the same.

 

A few years ago we didn't know as much about about the VP-44 failures as we do today. Adding a box can put more strain on a pump that may already be in a weakened state but not necessarily show it.

Happens a lot, I see posts from people excited about finally taking the plunge and hooking up the wire, then a short time later they are complaining about pump failure issues.

Obviously the VP44 was on it's way out, but working it harder just speeds up the time of death, especially for guys who choose not to run gauges.

 

Just ask Joel (DieselDude4X4) about the wisdom of running a "Hot" box without a Exhaust Gas Temp gauge.



This "was" his number 6 piston.
It is now a nice-sized (and very expen$ive) paperweight.
An EGT gauge.....about $150
An Engine rebuild........

The old saying goes, "If you tap the wire and it lasts more than 20 minutes without killing the pump, you should be OK".
It is most strongly suggested that you run a Fuel Pressure gauge with any fuel-adding accessory to make sure you are supplying enough fuel to run the engine and cool the injection pump at the same time.
Excess fuel is used to cool the injection pump and is then returned back to the tank.

 

Thanks for all the input, I've just returned from vacation in the Sierra Mtns, Piute Mtn to be specific.
I hooked up all the gauges,boost,EGT,FP and tranny temp. I also tapped the pump. I used 1x2 and 1x3 (chicken!!!) Also used the PacBrake w/switch.

I noticed the diff right out of town, on the first grade I dropped out of OD and held 55 MPH, used to be 45 was tops. My rig grosses 16,620#.

The real test was climbing from 4012' to 6605' in 5.93 miles of glorified jeep trail!
Last year I had to stop twice to cool the tranny but with the Mag-Hytec deep pan I didn't have to stop..It stayed below 280*. I used the 1x3 on the climb and the EGT got to 750* with 26-28 boost, and 10 on FP. I had to back off on many of the switchbacks at 12-15 MPH, last year it was 8-10 all the way.

My son and grandsons are all laughing at the "Old Goat" and his Ram!!

I'm saving for the inevitable....new Tranny and EP.

Have to keep reading this forum.....4" exhaust and new Jetors next?

Thanks again for all the input

 

Ive had my wire tapped for a lonnnggg time and I still cant keep my foot out of it. I guess thats why i got a TCEQ letter.