Ok... Here's a question.. And this might sound totally newb-dumb... But I gotta ask..

What's pushing people to mod their diesels? It seems to be an obsession. I can understand wanting to mod an early model... But many talk about modding them right off the show room floor.

Maybe I'm not pulling enough weight to understand? The two loads I'm pulling regularly are:

http://www.solidaxle.net/Ram2500/128-2885_IMG.JPG

Durango on 22' all steel flatbed

OR

http://www.solidaxle.net/2005_04_03_Bernice_St_Pk/128-2822_IMG.JPG

32' Travel trailer.

I've pulled both of these loads all over several states. Through heavy TX panhandle and OK winds... Up mountain passes.... Long distance... Yada.. You name it.

I've also used an 04 (305/555 <-RIP) and an 05 (325/610). Never have I felt the ~need~ for more power. I can accellerate way faster than I feel comfortable doing so with a load behind me. It'll easily tow at a very relaxed 70 mph (or more) all day long. It'll climb steep grades with relative ease....

So the big question is.. What am I missing? Is it just the amount of weight people are pulling? Maybe they're doing two rigs on a gooseneck and I'm just unaware? Edumacate me.

Oh and don't say it's because "they" have a ford or chevy.. I'm pretty sure all 3 of them are ~very~ comparable right off the showroom floor.... :flipoff2:

It seems the newest models have come light years ahead of where we were 10 years ago.

In all honesty I think it's mainly for bragging rights.

I've got a '95 PSD and my truck will tow 14k acceptably though it does lack on the go power so a few mods were in order. I replaced my injectors w/ upgrades when I had a couple malfunction. I upgraded simply because of some trading I came out on the dirt cheap end of the deal & the mfr got a good deal too. When all is said & done I'll have 300-350 hp that I can use at any point in time without EGT worries.

My desire to mod mine IS NOT about "bragging rights", it's about needing more power.
I have an '03 Cali model RAM3500 that has 235hp/460 ft/lbs and it's slow up the
steep grades here in SoCal. With the slide-in camper and the trailer I gross out
at about 17,000 lbs and some more power would be very nice. IMO an Edge EZ
would bump mine up enough.

Me, I have the 2 GEN, I wanted to smooth it out a litte because the motor is so de-tuned the EZ has helped it in the areas it was lacking for around town driving. But not just the EZ but the MAD ECM also helps I hear for driving everyday. I plan on small injector soon to help it even more.

3rd GEN? I have only driven my brother's, he has had a box on it since he bought it.

Overall, its just fun.

Mine is much more enjoyable to drive empty after mods. As for towing, its really nice to have more passing power on two lane highways.

Pete

My second gen Dodge has more HP/torque than a stock 325HP Cummins motor. It is all about driveability. Much better lower end torque and more power for towing. I'd say the MAD ECM is one the best upgrades you can do. Much more fun to drive with the MAD ECM. I'd recommend a MAD ECM and mild injectors for most people that don't need crazy amount of HP.

I don't know about off the show room floor. I'd be worried about warranty issues. But as soon as I was close to or past warranty it's on.

With my 2nd gen it is mostly bragging rights, being able to out pull all my PS and Duramax buddies and killing the occasional Mustang GT and ricer is pretty cool :D

I do not haul very often but when I have it has been quite heavy. My main reasons are drag racing, and truck pulling with my trucks, and I love to mess with stuff. So in a word yes maybe it is bragging rights. But thats OK with me since it is my time and money.:D

Especially with the newer model diesels (all three) I think it is the draw of having over 500hp with very little work. Plug a box in, get some guages, and go. You can have a very fast truck that pulls HARD for cheap. Not necessary at all, but it sure is fun :D

A lot of these mod actually increase MPG. At least that is what I tell my wife/finance manager.

Ok... Sounds like some of the 2nd gens and Gary (CA SO, 3rd gen) are in the 220-245 hp range stock.. And you guys have juiced it up...

What have you turned it up to? What kind of setting have you used and how might it compare to my 325/610?

When I say compare... I'm really meaning two things... a) from a number's standpoint (since they all say it's a "100 hp setting" for example) and b) from the seat of the pants meter.

Seriously curious... Cause my butt can't really tell any significant difference between my (old) 305/555 and my 325/610. But from a numbers standpoint, it's 20 hp and 55 tq higher.

20 hp is hard to feel. Once you bump it 40-50 then you can feel it.

I can't tell you the exact numbers but the seat of the pants feeling is unbelievable. Being able to break the tires loose on the highway when you punch it in 4th gear is crazy power. The top end is just sick!

Like I said I plan on some small sticks, you get used to the power, I pulled the box for a VP44 replacement and I could tell them difference quick without the EZ. I think mine would be in the 290 hp range??? NO idea, AFE, EZ, no muffler.

I would have gone with a COMP for the 1st mod but I dont feel that I would ever tap the wire or need that much, plus I could seel the EZ when I upgrade. But some small sticks - prob 1.6s - will do me great. It will pull great right now.

I was pulling a 28 foot GN with 2 trucks and really needed more power. I quit at 400hp 800 TQ at the rear wheels. I was fine with that and it did what I needed it to do pretty safely as far as breaking expensive parts went. I did eat a clutch and wear the rear duals out in about 25k miles. :laughing:

Not having to worry about the Ford or Chevy in the next lane was nice.

One valid point that I think works for having 400+ HP is passing power. We have all kinds of 2 lane roads around here and being able to safely pass someone in the passing zone is VERY nice. Bone stock pulling 14k wasn't fun. Mine dyno'd at 292 hp /546 TQ bone stock.

Good lookin' truck, even if it is a little short! ;)

Here's what I tow with and what I tow. I've never felt the need for more power, like you said it seems to tow up hills, whatever, with ease.

http://www.cowtownjeeps.com/pics/robtruck/tow_rig.jpg
305/555

BTW, I'm in Tulsa 2 or 3 times a month. I won't be there this weekend (be in Clayton, wheelin') but I will be up there next time on the 19th. We ought to hook up for dinner or somethin'.

My 12V has a little more power than stock, and quite a bit more torque. It is also louder, and less "refined". I haven't towed on any big hills with it, but unloaded it flies up the mountains.
It is running around 8.5 seconds 0-60. Not bad for a 6800 pound truck.
I had it dynoed in Spokane, at 333.2 rwhp. I didn't get a torque reading though. I'm going to dyno it again this coming weekend, so I have a better number to go off of.

It wasn't a dog stock, but it is so easy to mod the 12V, I just had to. Plus, I am still getting 17-19mpg and I am not easy on it.
I guess it's just for bragging rights :grinpimp:

Honestly any mods I do for performance are really just because I want to. No other reason.. Im looking at doing the quadzilla tow box next. For now, I don't have much in the way of mods.. EGT, Boost and Fuel pressure gauges, a straight piped, and an incomplete engine driven OBA setup. I did the exhaust for sound, the OBA will be for when I put air bags in the rear, and because I Like engine driven OBA, and the gauges are to monitor vitals on the motor. The quad box will just be for fun.
Scott

Write up from my trucks PO who did the mods to my truck before I got it:

TDR Issue 37—

Twenty Steps (so far!) to a Poor Old Sickly Ram

Some time ago, I shared my experiences with the TDR Discussion Forum. This “sad story” demonstrates the addictive influence of power additions, which they call “b.o.m.b.ing” for “better off modified, baby!” I am now a charter member of BA (Bombaholics Anonymous) because of my “addiction!”
1. A nice new 215 hp Ram was just the thing to order in the Summer of 1996--good power and mileage. No gas pig feels right, even that gas guzzling 300 hp V10. In fact, the V10 was quite anemic compared to the old performance 440s when properly built up. The computerization of the newer engines meant you might as well weld the hood closed—no user serviceable parts inside. I know a guy who spent several thousand dollars on headers, exhaust system, computer, and throttle body, and got his V10 up to maybe 260 horsepower at the wheels, as measured on the Dynojet. Yawn. And, ouch on the wallet.
2. Hmmm, let’s get that TST torque plate and put it on the shelf. That retired Cummins engineering guy, Mark Chapple, might be pretty old and quit making them or the little company could go out of business. Good idea just to have it around in case it's not available later. Ram is getting a bit tired, and a bit of extra power would be worth having around.
3. Wonder how hard it would be to put that plate in. Also, it might be worthwhile to test it just a bit. OK, now the baby Ram feels good again, like it was brand new.
4. Might as well get that 16 cm2 housing to free up the exhaust. A little power and lower exhaust gas temperature (egt). The Ram feels a bit weak and needs more.
5. Let's try low restriction exhaust and how about that experimental TST plate. Need to get back that "push" that has been missing for a while. Fiddle around a bit with torque plate R&D.
6. Ooopppss. Clutch slipped in 5th. Ohhh, nnooooo. I don’t want to believe it. Couldn’t possibly be making over 800 ft-lb of torque. Work with a couple companies to develop clutches. Really stressful not being able to play.
7. Ram feels a bit tired, even sickly, and with the new clutch, a bit more torque plate is just the thing, and safe, of course. And work on that exhaust a bit. Ahhh, feels good again.
8. Not again. Gotta get more clutch. Head porting is called for, because even though my poor old Ram is sick, the egt's are up there. I wonder what happened to that feeling of power it once had? Hmmmph, only 380 horsepower doesn’t feel like much!
9. Gotta put in a real torque plate to work with the new clutch; this Ram won't get outta its way. Real sickly. OK, new clutch is holding, so I just gotta refine the fueling a bit.
10. Wonder if those Diamond B injectors would help the low end. Ya know, the Ram is real sick starting out with those oversize tires in 2nd gear. Ahhh, better now. More like the power and response from the old days. Nice to have that old feeling back. Somewhere around 440 horsepower, almost enough.
11. Egt really needs more attention. How about the HX40? Piers came through with just what I wanted--a bit bigger and a wastegated 18.5 sq. cm. exhaust housing so boost won't get too high. I just “had” to go to 4" exhaust to match the turbo.
12.Those governor springs from Piers are real nice but now I have to watch that rpm. "Tapped" the pedal in 3rd. Wow, more power than would be expected from just a turbo. Yeah, 510 horsepower feels pretty good. Now the poor old Sickly Ram feels right again.
13. Oooohhh nnnooooo. Only one good gear. Tires fry in 2nd and clutch fries in 4th and 5th. Like being on ice. Ram feels "OK" in 3rd though. Need a "decent" clutch. Time for more clutch development work.
14. Seemed like forever to break in that clutch. OK, now all the gears work. Ram feels almost like it "should."
15. Wonder about playing with that P7100. It's still stock inside, and that can't be right. Ram does seem to have gotten kind of tired and Sickly. Just ho-hum.
16. Guess its time to "touch up" that fueling curve just a bit. Don't think the egt is a problem, well, yet. Nothing has broken, so power level is obviously low--safe to try something to get this Ram up to snuff. A meager 500 horsepower is just too sickly.
17. Met with Lawrence at Diesel Dynamics. Now I have access to a dyno for the amount of time needed for extensive testing and tuning, and a kindred spirit who is also searching for just that bit more power from the Cummins B/ISB engines. My poor old Ram, by now nicknamed “Sickly,” desperately needs a bit of help in the power department.
18. “Super Mental” Diesel Dynamics injectors add fuel in “earnest” quantities. Some custom tuning and [censored] gets poor old Sickly to 609 horsepower.
19. That 600 horsepower is beginning to feel just a bit peaked, Sickly even. Need more. Magic “fire nozzle” injectors and our custom-design (Diesel Dynamics) camshaft feeds the air pulled in by a turbocharger designed by Holset for the 15-liter Cummins engine. Maybe just a bit more tuning will make the poor old Ram feel right again.
20. Ahhh, 633.8 hp at May Madness 2002. Getting closer. Just another 50, maybe 75 horsepower and then my poor old Ram won’t be sickly anymore!

:smokin:

It is a sickness. I started with EZ, then 275 injectors, then comp box, DD2's, DD3's, comp drag box, I think my condition has stablized with DD4's and latest turbo swap. Throw in a 4k trans just for good measure.

I think this condition is a result of owning a mazda "truck" back in the early 90's.

I think there are many reasons we do it. I like the idea of being able to tow a trailer at the speed limit up any grade.I personally am looking for the 500rwhp mark.I just bought a VA 200+ and will probably be stacking it with a Quad or Predator and a lift pump.I also plan to do some sled pulling:cool2: .

Well just for a comparo, stock my buddy's '05 F-350 (6.0 325/570/4.10s) towing the two car hauler up Vail pass and to the tunnel, on 70 (between Denver and Dillion) will only do 44 mph, this running at its rated GCWR.

It's an obbsesion.. there is just something about pulling up to a stop light with a 5.0L mustang sitting beside you..and dusting it.. It's awesome...


www.thedieselgarage.com

Ok... Sounds like some of the 2nd gens and Gary (CA SO, 3rd gen) are in the 220-245 hp range stock.. And you guys have juiced it up...

What have you turned it up to? What kind of setting have you used and how might it compare to my 325/610?

When I say compare... I'm really meaning two things... a) from a number's standpoint (since they all say it's a "100 hp setting" for example) and b) from the seat of the pants meter.

Seriously curious... Cause my butt can't really tell any significant difference between my (old) 305/555 and my 325/610. But from a numbers standpoint, it's 20 hp and 55 tq higher.


I haven't "turned it up" yet because it's still under warranty, and according to
the service manager the SoCal district rep for DC will void the warranty if a
"box" has been installed. I have about 30,000 miles to go before the warranty
is up. Once that happens I plan on an Edge EZ box. It's highest setting is
another 70hp and 220 ft/lbs. That will take me to 305hp and 680 ft/lbs.
That should be plenty for my uses.

I haven't "turned it up" yet because it's still under warranty, and according to
the service manager the SoCal district rep for DC will void the warranty if a
"box" has been installed. I have about 30,000 miles to go before the warranty
is up. Once that happens I plan on an Edge EZ box. It's highest setting is
another 70hp and 220 ft/lbs. That will take me to 305hp and 680 ft/lbs.
That should be plenty for my uses.

An EZ box isn't going to blow your truck up. Just DO IT already. :flipoff2:

Most chips/boxes/programers I sell are for people looking for a little more HP , and an increase in fuel milage. Most of them tow a 5th wheel camper, a large boat, or a gooseneck or enclosed job trailer.

Same goes for an exhaust or air intake, allthough they are more for sound, or to lower EGT's after a chip has ben installed.

Some people want more power just because they can.

An EZ box isn't going to blow your truck up. Just DO IT already. :flipoff2:


STFU pussy. :flipoff2:

Go with more than an EZ Edge.The one I just picked up adds 220RWHP and 450rwfp torque.That's another reason for me is smoking the ricers and sports cars.A buddy of mine has an 02' Duramax with 835rwhp and 1740rwfp torque. He's beat a Vipers,a Vettes,and Mustang Cobras.Very cool truck.