Diesel upgrades and tuning

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by speeder

I'd love one of those new, "neutered by emissions nonsense" pickup trucks w ~1000 lbs/ft of torque @ 1800 rpm and a full warranty, bone stock off the showroom floor, thank you.

If you’re buying, sure! If not then I’ll take my truck at 1/3 of the price. And it does sound way better, the new ones are way too silent.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

If you’re buying, sure! If not then I’ll take my truck at 1/3 of the price. And it does sound way better, the new ones are way too silent.

Yep, the price of new trucks is insane. I run the numbers over and over in my head and I just can't make sense of a $75k PU truck. You would need to have some business w so much cash flow that you needed some crazy depreciation write-offs, I guess(?) Or be a rich guy that just doesn't give a schit. I see so many of them on the road, in western states it seems like everyone has a new Super Duty truck. I just know that most of them are spending a stupid percentage of their household budget on a PU truck. The payment+insurance and fuel would be in the 4-figures.

[911boost]

I ordered a new Land Cruiser (with a discount thankfully) just so I can park my 2012 F350 and not use it daily anymore because replacing it would be so expensive and I really do not see the need to upgrade the latest and greatest.

[rfuerst911sc]

I want to clarify my use and goal for my truck . I am retired so don't drive it daily . When I complete my truck camper restoration she will carry a truck camper that weighs about 2700 pounds . I pull a 14 ' boat that might weigh 1000 pounds with the trailer . I hope to purchase another car trailer to be able to tow my Boxster when using the truck camper .

So worst case is 2700 lb truck camper and maybe 5000 pounds Boxster/trailer . So I don't see ever pushing my truck to anywhere near it's limits. So my tuner which will add 20 - 100 hp is no big deal in my mind. I have added a cold air intake and removed the muffler . I may add a 4" exhaust and the tuner . That is it I am not going to go any further .

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I want to clarify my use and goal for my truck . I am retired so don't drive it daily . When I complete my truck camper restoration she will carry a truck camper that weighs about 2700 pounds . I pull a 14 ' boat that might weigh 1000 pounds with the trailer . I hope to purchase another car trailer to be able to tow my Boxster when using the truck camper .

So worst case is 2700 lb truck camper and maybe 5000 pounds Boxster/trailer . So I don't see ever pushing my truck to anywhere near it's limits. So my tuner which will add 20 - 100 hp is no big deal in my mind. I have added a cold air intake and removed the muffler . I may add a 4" exhaust and the tuner . That is it I am not going to go any further .

I'd leave it stock. Your dirtymax has plenty of power stock to do what you're wanting to do. Hell! It has plenty of power and torque stock to do the pulling I do with a truck. I'd leave near perfection alone if it was me. Adding a tuner is a decent addition if it also changes shift points, CAI,does nothing... Bigger exhaust does nothing but make the truck sound really cool. Keep your money in your wallet and drive the truck.

[rfuerst911sc]

The tuner is purchased and partially installed so it's going in . Worst case is I leave the tuner at its lowest setting adding 20 hp and 38 ft lbs of torque if advertised gains are accurate . The OEM air box was a joke , air being pulled through an opening 2"x3" . The CAI easily triples the available air to be drawn through the filter . I am basing that just on the size of the openings in the air box. I can say throttle response seemed quicker/snappier after the CAI install . At this point it doesn't matter because it's installed and staying put .

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

The tuner is purchased and partially installed so it's going in . Worst case is I leave the tuner at its lowest setting adding 20 hp and 38 ft lbs of torque if advertised gains are accurate . The OEM air box was a joke , air being pulled through an opening 2"x3" . The CAI easily triples the available air to be drawn through the filter . I am basing that just on the size of the openings in the air box. I can say throttle response seemed quicker/snappier after the CAI install . At this point it doesn't matter because it's installed and staying put .

Your turbo doesn't care. The "CAI" is a coolness factor and that's about it. People get the sensation of more power because you can hear the turbo spool, where in the box the turbo sound was muffled. I played around with this stuff for years on my 7.3. I got a kick out of the "go 4"" exhaust crowd. My stock was 3.5" women don't even care about an extra half inch! But again, that 4" with a 6" tip sure sounded cool. The truck breathes fine with the original setup. Don't believe me? Put an EGT gauge in the truck and watch it while you're pulling with the stock setup and then with the CAI and muffler delete. No difference. I found that most turbo diesel forums were occupied by kids. Increase your turbo then ya got something. But that takes some wastegate mods or replacement as well.

You aren't going to hurt the truck doing the things you've done. But you aren't going to help it much either. With a tuner, make sure you've got something monitoring EGT's

[cabmandone]

I think your truck stock was cranking out about 80 more HP than my 7.3 and has a good bit more torque as well. Stock your truck would more than handle the kind of towing I do on a regular basis because my puny 215 hp Powerstroke would pull everything I had behind the truck. I kept mine stock because I didn't want to hurt overall reliability and the old 7.3 stock was a 500K mile engine. Your dirtymax stock is a solid 500K engine stock too.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by speeder

Yep, the price of new trucks is insane. I run the numbers over and over in my head and I just can't make sense of a $75k PU truck. You would need to have some business w so much cash flow that you needed some crazy depreciation write-offs, I guess(?) Or be a rich guy that just doesn't give a schit. I see so many of them on the road, in western states it seems like everyone has a new Super Duty truck. I just know that most of them are spending a stupid percentage of their household budget on a PU truck. The payment+insurance and fuel would be in the 4-figures.

My truck is low mileage and immaculate, it’s probably worth $25k on a good day. I’m trying to find a dry rack storage solution to keep my boat at the lake, especially if I find a bigger one. If that plays out I’ll sell my truck in a heartbeat and downsize to a 1/2 ton. I love my diesel but it’s total overkill for my uses unless I’m towing.

[rfuerst911sc]

Next question: today I will be receiving my Kennedy lift pump . It has 1/2" pipe threads and my NAPA filter housing has the same . So I need a threaded nipple to connect the pump to the housing and two ball valves . I know you can't use galvanized or brass so I think that leaves aluminum and stainless steel is that correct ?

Any recommendations on which to use ? And where to buy ? Can I assume any aluminum/SS nipple or ball valve is safe for diesel fuel ? And what pipe sealant/compound to use ? The ball valves will be on either side of the pump and filter housing so I can close for filter changes without an Exxon Valdez episode 😁

[rfuerst911sc]

Thought I would update: so my tuner has been fully installed and operational for a while now . When I crank it to the max there is no doubt there is more power it is easily felt . I had boost and EGT gauges installed and to date the highest temp I have seen in the exhaust is about 1000 . My EGT probe is installed in the passenger side exhaust manifold . It's fun to watch how subtle changes in throttle position makes such a difference in the temps . Truck is running great and just turned 180,000 miles so fully broken in .

The mods I have made are the extent of what I have planned . I think what I have done is mild and won't harm the truck . I have yet to really load the truck and push it that will come in the future . Everyone has an opinion on what safe exhaust temps should be in regards to the max . I hope to never go above 1200 or so for any extended length of time . I am in the Georgia mountains so we've got some good long pulls , will be interesting how she does with the camper and anything I may be towing . Have a great Thanksgiving

[ted]

Even if you can match the power of the new trucks you can't match the safety of the newer towing nannies and jake brake control.
My 14 Ram makes towing much safer than my 99 powerstroke and the difference in power was not the most important improvement.
I'd be very conservative on pushing your 175k mile motor with your new magic tune accessory.

[fastfredracing]

I bet she sounds sweet running down the road now.

Once you start to haul heavy , you will most likely see the egt's climb . I set mine to alarm at 1050, and just watch the gauge after that . Downshifting a gear, and taking it easy will keep them down in the safe range on long pulls .
Im at 165 k now , with the same basic mods as you have . I did replace the down pipe, and went to 4 " the whole way back. I think this helps manage the egts some . I plan on keeping this truck to 250k, I am pretty easy on it fo the most part, but it is fun to turn it up and boot it every once in a while. Pretty surprising how fast a truck this big can move out .
Long live KONG !

[rfuerst911sc]

Fred you are right , hard to believe how quickly 7500 lbs can move ! It seems so effortless but that's what good torque numbers will do. I just did a 6 hour road trip and for about 60% of the trip was highway . Set the cruise at 65 and motored along . Balance of the trip was two lane back roads . Average mpg was just under 20 I am very happy with that .

If I ever buy another diesel it will be of similar era . I want no part of any diesel that is smogged and running DEF . That's just me . But I hope to go at least 300k with this one. I do like me some Kong 😁

[911boost]

The DEF in my 2012 6.7L Powerstroke has not really been an issue at all.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Fred you are right , hard to believe how quickly 7500 lbs can move ! It seems so effortless but that's what good torque numbers will do. I just did a 6 hour road trip and for about 60% of the trip was highway . Set the cruise at 65 and motored along . Balance of the trip was two lane back roads . Average mpg was just under 20 I am very happy with that .

If I ever buy another diesel it will be of similar era . I want no part of any diesel that is smogged and running DEF . That's just me . But I hope to go at least 300k with this one. I do like me some Kong 😁

Wow, under 20 is damn good mpg. What or where do you have your tune set? I got the normal 16.5-17.5 depending on the terrain but I set cruise control at 75 running across the desert or up the state usually with family and a couple bags of luggage for the week.

[ted]

I had a satisfying tow a couple months ago from Salt Lake City to St. George on the 15.
26 foot Featherlight enclosed trailer with a light load, perfect weather clear road and towing speed limit 75mph.
In 4 hours at 75/80mph and 800lb of torque used 30 gallons of diesel at just under 10mpg.
I could of saved some fuel slowing down but was more fun with my foot in it for 4 hours.
Normally I get 13 towing at 60mph in California. All stock 14 Ram 3500.

Def has been no problem.
My wife doesn't miss the smell of diesel exhaust, neither do I.

I had to wear ear plugs in my 99 powerstroke.
The Aisin auto trans downshifting on the jake brake makes big rig noises too, just have to listen for it.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by look 171

Wow, under 20 is damn good mpg. What or where do you have your tune set? I got the normal 16.5-17.5 depending on the terrain but I set cruise control at 75 running across the desert or up the state usually with family and a couple bags of luggage for the week.

The tuner I have doesn't have set tune selections . So basically it is a rheostat that is adjustable from stock to full power . I generally run with the rheostat knob in the center . In theory at that setting it is adding 50 hp and 90 lb ft of torque . If I turn the knob all the way to the left I am back to stock . Turn the knob all the way to the right it adds 100 HP and 180 lb ft of torque .

My understanding is this tuner does nothing inside the ECM , it works solely with the injectors pulse width and volume delivery . At least that is the vendors claim . A Dyno is the only way to know if any of the claims are true . But I do know my butt feels a difference and that's all that matters to me .

[rfuerst911sc]

Did an interesting non scientific experiment today . I was doing a Home Depot run and my normal route takes me to a hill about 3/4 mile long . As I was getting close to the hill I adjusted the tuner to the lowest setting and maintained a steady 45 mph entering the bottom of the hill .

I did my best to not adjust throttle position . When I was aprox 1/2 way up the hill I turned the tuner knob to full power . I could immediately feel the truck pulling stronger . When I got to the top of the hill I was doing 50 mph . Same throttle position throughout . Like I said it's not scientific but it is a data point .