Im wanting to get the comp instead of buying twice and getting the EZ first. I know i can get a shift kit for around $190, whats installation going to cost at $50/hr? Also, what will the tranny handle being driven nice 95% of the time and semi hard 5% of the time? i know thats a loaded question, what level would you suggest as a daily driver and what max level to run around town haulin a$$? I know I know, i gotta get gauges and exhaust first but im wondering if the tranny upgardes are to high just getting a smaller chip.

any help is appreciated

Jamie

 

Welcome Jamie,
I can't help you with your transmission questions but I can bug you to death about installing a lift pump fuel pressure gauge before anything else so you can tell when your $160 lift pump starts failing before the $1200 Injector Pump burns up on you.
Use a fuel treatment like Power Service to "slick up" yer fuel because your lift pump and injector pump are fuel lubricated and the new low sulfur diesel has little lubricating qualities.
Running out of fuel really-really hurts your pumps too...no fuel, no lubrication.

 

Most have had the tranny be able to handle the Comp in EZ mode, but not much more, it might survive 1 or 2 tapped wire runs.

The shift kit might prolong it's life a little,
maybe long enough to save up some of the $2K-$5K you'll need to really bulletproof the transmission.

Fuel pressure guage is a definite must have, even on a stock truck.


phox

 

in no way am i arguing with you, but i thought the majority of the vp44 problems were solved by 01, maybe not. So fuel pressure, boost, & pyro first. Would u recommend a tranny temp since its an auto?

So now im thinking about a superchips ($280 for 50ish HP) or an EZ($450 for 65hp). straight pipe and gauges.

 

i had to replace my lp and ip. and mines a 02

 

I'd still go with the comp, then once you've fixed the tranny, then you can tap the wire.

I tried Superchips, and wasn't impressed at all.

I lost my VP44 with only 4K on the odometer, so yes, they'd fixed some of the early VP44 problems, but not all of them, but mine wasn't fuel pressure related, nor heat related, no idea why it died, still on the original lift pump, 46K later.


phox

 

i bought my 02 used and had no clue at the time that the IP was bad...11 months later i finally had to replace it.

im running a van aaken...70hp and that power is great down low, really pulls hard.

i am going to upgrade soon tho so my van aaken box is for sale for $200 shipping included to lower 48. let me know, the box is 4 months old.

 

WIll FASS solve my VP44 woes? if not what do I need to fix that preoblem. All I want to do is to be able to run the camp on 5x5 with no worries. I want to get the tranny to handle that too.

 

I don't know how to tell if the VP is going to quit in 6 months, of course that applies to anything you buy used.
The Cummins engine has a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty that should give you some comfort and if it lasts 6 months no problem, I think you could say it wasn't hurt by the previous owner and because YOU protected it by keeping good fuel pressure & quality, fuel treatment, air/fuel/oil/transmission filter changes, oil changes and batteries from the time you took over, you might think about some mods. I waited that long before starting mine.
We don't know of any trick to make it last 100% , just what we try to find that has worked for others and what makes enough sense to discuss....if fact it doesn't need to make sense. You'll likely have some ideas too.
Lots of guys run a FASS and lots of guys run a stock type lift pump...type "lift pump" in the search box for plenty of discussion about both.
The plus side? How 'bout the possibility of 500 rear wheel horsepower and still get 20 mpg