Well i came out off the scale today @ 12,600 KG & she's taking a real beating getting up to speed. Maintaining it isnt too bad, but deadstop & uphill suffering....

Have a Black pump on there, lots of pressure (12lbs @ lowest)

Cleaned both MAP & IAT sensors, appreared to be in almost new condition....

Other than that, the truck is stock with what im pretty sure are 3.45 gears

So what do i do now, besides an EGT guage & tranny (auto)

Cost is always kept in mind, Smarty i hear is most likely the best but $$$

Van Aaken, Edge, what else is there and what do i want.

Truck use is 99% work related (Landscaping) and is almost always towing a dump trailer/bobcat/etc...

Thanks in advance,

-Carm

 

A smarty with that kind of weight would make mince meat out of your stock tranny. Go with the VA as I've heard that's got better bottom end than the EZ. You could also do a set of 275 injectors (40hp) with the VA. That makes for a very strong, reliable, setup. Should be about 300hp/600tq. That is going to be on the ragged edge of what your trans can hold. I would do a new valve body at least just to help the trans hold.

 

The VA and 275's I think is one of the best towing combo's. Add the adjustable boost elbow and run 30 psi of turbo boost, if you have a HX35W, that helped my egt's drop 100*. Does the 99 auto have an HY35?

On another note, your way overloaded for any kind power off the line. Your about 8000# over GCVWR. Oh well! All in a days work eh?

 

That 3.45 rear is hurting you at that weight, should be 4.11

 

you need to tow with a smarty and mach 1.6s

 

The rear will only hurt him getting rolling, once going it will be fine. Get the injectors and a box, you will be satisfied. Do gages first though.

 

big exaust and upgrade your intake size. no mufflers or cats. at least 4in.

 

Ok great thanks for the feedback.

Now for the Van Aaken, i see quite a few of them for sale, all different versions etc.... Is there any i need to stay away from?

If anyone has anything up for grabs, let me know!

Also, saw some "Jammer TIPS" for sale....they advertise "Stage 1 - 60HP" would these be the 275's or equivelent?

 

The VA and 275s is in fact a proven excellent towing combo that can be had pretty cheap (~$600). They will give you right around 300hp at the rear wheels and have perfectly safe EGT with your stock turbo (the 1999 has an HX35, not the smaller HY35).

The Smarty and Mach 1.6 combo is substantially more expensive, but also a lot more powerful. Mach 1.6 injectors will give you nearly 90hp, compared to the 40-45hp the RV275 injectors give. This combo will give you around 360hp to the rear wheels, and EGT will be mostly safe, BUT will be higher than the VA/275 combo because you're burning more fuel and making more power.

**You MUST install at least a pyrometer before adding any kind of power enhancement** Boost and fuel pressure are good ideas (as is tranny temp for automatics).


At the power levels we are discussing, an aftermarket it exhaust is completely unnecessary. The stock turbo is far more restrictive than the stock exhaust, so opening up the exhaust with the factory is somewhat pointless. Save your money.


An upgraded air intake system is a very good choice, ESPECIALLY for towing. For pure EGT reduction, nothing beats a Scotty Air intake system (available in the DTR store right here).

Because you have a stock automatic trans, I'd encourage you to stay mild on the power unless you are prepared to spend big coin to get the tranny done RIGHT. Then, add all the power you want.

You can do a Van Aaken, 275s, and Scotty air intake system for less than $900. Maybe as cheap as $750.

Once you go beyond this, things get expensive fast-- starting with the tranny.

Justin

 

Thanks for the great tips guys, i really appreciate it.

Now im looking at a Van Aaken "CPC-R" module with built in boost fooler

Is this going to work?

 

If you can swing the $; do a built VB along with it. It will keep your tranny alive a lot longer, shift much better, and should hold the power without problem. As for the power enhancements; Id say the VA as others have suggested(bnot for sure which version it is), and the 275's. From everything I have heard, this is a great combo for hauling. Do a Valve body now also if you can swing it, and a Torque Converter later to top it off. Or if you can swing a good torque converter gith now; go ahead, and do that. It will really help get the power to the ground; especially when pulling. Once you get those couple of power adders, and some tranny mods done you will love it

Eric

 

Good advice Hohn, I would only add that you could save your dough and keep the stock airbox. I haven't tried a scotty, but I removed my bhaf and went back to stock. "I" found slightly better results with egt's with the stock filter. I believe the scotty has better cold air which "may" show improvements with a 300 hp truck.

Just get a Van Aaken V5, or a Van Aaken Smartbox "R" with the proper harness for your 99. They're the same box, only that the V5 doesn't need to plug into the pump harness, which is nice if your current VP-44 is on warranty.

 

I cannot improve on Hohn's post so I'm going to rip on his sig instead
Imagainary drivers??