Concerns !

[akdiesel]

I have $2000.00 dollars I can spend right now, what would you spend it on if you were in my shoes right now with a 2006 dodge diesel automatic with a AFE intake,CFM manifold intake,MBRP cat back duall exhaust, and Predator programmer ? I'm not sure what to buy.

[ropnjessi]

Personally I would do the Lift Pump and some gauges for starters, are you doing the work yourself? If not you will have to factor in labor.. there's some other guys that may have some more experience then me that could have some better productive suggestions..

[akdiesel]

I'm hoping to do it all with a friend. He drives a stroker,but he's good at wrenching. I was hoping together we could get it done. If not I guess I'll have to pay.

[dgparsons2]

Alot of people in the cummins forum say that with a good tq converter and an aftermarket valve body that you can hold up to about 500 to 600 hp if your stock tranny is still in pretty good shape.

[Dodgezilla]

Well, your stock turbo and injectors will do for now so I would agree with both of the last posts. First, get some guages, especially a fuel pressure and EGT guage. A trans guage and boost guage are a good idea too. Put the guages on and check your fuel pressure. If it drops to 0 psi on a hard pull then definitely get a better lift pump. Check and see where your EGTS are on a hard pull. If they get too high then you need to start thinking about a better turbo. "Too High" depends on who you talk to. For me, My truck hit 1400 degrees easily stock so I was not concerned at that tempurature too much. I started getting concerned at 1450-1500 degrees which is where I was with my old Quadzilla Race box. My current setup never goes past 1300 degrees but many guys with stock turbos complain of very high temps with their Predators. The cure for that is a bigger turbo. Not too big though.
Next, you will be needing at least a better converter and valve body eventually so it's kind of up in the air on which one you need the most. I'd go for a better valve body so your truck will shift like it is supposed to. Eventually your converter will start to slip but hopefully by then you will have some more $$$ saved up.
Did you say you had $2000 or $10,000???????

[RRAM]

On that list you have I would do the TC and valve body. That makes a good difference and probably on milage too.

[akdiesel]

I wish I had 10,000 dollars to spend, I'd build a 7000lb lamborgini . Well I gues I'll get the Torque Converter,valve body, and fuel pump. Then next year add some more things. Does that sound better ?

[ropnjessi]

I have to say with my current setup "Performance" setting I can easily hit 1600° at WOT. TST 4/3

[Dodgezilla]

Man! That's hot for an 03!!! I'd raise your hp setting and lower the tq setting. The tq setting adds duration which is what really gives the high egts. My best numbers running the TST in my 03 were on 7/2......

akdiesel, that sounds good but you should really invest in at least an EGT guage. You'ld hate to put all that $$$ into the truck and then burn holes in your pistons from your temps being too high.....

[ropnjessi]

Man! That's hot for an 03!!! I'd raise your hp setting and lower the tq setting. The tq setting adds duration which is what really gives the high egts. My best numbers running the TST in my 03 were on 7/2...........

Once I get over 5 on the TST I have fuel supply issues, so I've been sticking around 4, I'll try setting the torque down, but even without the TST I could hit these temps on Extreme. I have the FASS, just have to do the install. EGT gauge is pre turbo....

[akdiesel]

I guess I'll buy what I can afford for now, and work my way up. I've got a quadzilla commander control monitoring system that I'm going to install, I believe it covers everything egts,boost,trainy,fuel pressure etc.

[Dodgezilla]

Yup. Good choice AK.
Ropnjessi, come on now! You've had that FASS for quite a while now. It's an easy install on an 03 with the canister mounted LP. Get it done. Remember that too much fuel will drive your temps up in a diesel. Duration gives a lot of extra fuel and so temps will rise. The trick is in getting a good combo of parts that won't raise those temps so high. Every one of these trucks reacts differently so it's hard to say what will work for you for sure.........

[ropnjessi]

Yup. Good choice AK.
Ropnjessi, come on now! You've had that FASS for quite a while now. It's an easy install on an 03 with the canister mounted LP. Get it done. Remember that too much fuel will drive your temps up in a diesel. Duration gives a lot of extra fuel and so temps will rise. The trick is in getting a good combo of parts that won't raise those temps so high. Every one of these trucks reacts differently so it's hard to say what will work for you for sure.........

I know, I know , I'm anxious to get the FASS up to get the TST over 5 and then play with the torque settings as you suggested, didn't realize the lower torque would help EGT's....

[Dodgezilla]

Well, it should help but there is no guarantee. As I said, every truck reacts differently to mods so you just keep throwing parts at it until you find the combo that's right.
I believe I have the perfect setup. Great power, great mileage, and low egts. She's not a bad looking truck either. I don't know what more I could ask for.......