03 hemi help please

[Kenswartz]

i was wanting to do some performance mods on my truck and would like some advice. I don't do any towing just a dd it's a crew cab 4wd with 195k. I can't do everything at once but would like a better idea of where to start. I'd like the vararam cai and obx long tubes with a cat back. 260 comp cam with the 6.1 springs rods oil pump and timing tensioner. Then just a under drive pulley and prob superchips programmer? Should I start inside and work my way out (already have leaky valve seals)? Is there anything with tranny or trans case that should be changed to avoid breakdown with the power increase with the already high mileage? Will any tuning other than the superchips tune be necessary for this project? Jw heard 03 was hard to tune? Pretty new to hemi scene any help is much appreciated. I'm in pittsburgh area if anyone has any shop recommendations!

 

[Kenswartz]

Also found an injen cai good deal on it? Anyone have any reviews on it?

 

[Hemi8073]

there are tons of things you can do to 03's. superchips 3815 or 3865 is a no brainer . a good pair of long tubes, your choice(i normally recommend either pacesetter or hedman ceramic coated) and purchase the matching y pipe for which ever brand you buy. then flow to which ever muffler you like. then you can either dump it like alot of guys have of just run duals out where ever you like. IMO catbck systems are way over priced and you can do the same thing way cheaper at a exhaust shop.

You can get away with more cam than a comp 260. these cams are kinda the first ones that really came out for these trucks and there are only a few companys trying better the cam market. as far as cold air intake on these 3rd gens, once you start modding there is not really a lot of difference from one to the other. pick the one you like the looks and style of and it will be just fine. and when you do your cam swap address the problems you are having in the motor as it will be your best opportunity to do so. and look into the "TMR mod", the is a video on youtube about it .

 

[Kenswartz]

Ok should I get maybe the 268? Will the sc tuner be fine for that or will it need dynoed? Will the 6.1 rods and springs still be fine for that cam? I like looks of vararam but don't feel like running 2 tubes down to my front bumper lol. Should I do intake/exhaust before internals?

 

[Kenswartz]

Also if I go bigger would I have to put a stall in it?

 

[Hemi8073]

268 wont idle in a 03, there are custom grinds that are better suited for 03's. and yes, bolt ons are always recommended to help as supporting mods for cams and heads. intake , full exhaust and gears would be a good place to start before you start tearing into the motor and trans for a cam and stall upgrade.

 

[Kenswartz]

Is it true it don't matter between the 3815&3865 superchips models?

 

[Kenswartz]

Also I don't know much about tuners but what happens if you run 87 on the 91 sc tune? Lol prob a dumb question but I'm not familiar with the systems and how they work.

 

[Hemi8073]

You will most likely get knock in the motor as 87 burns hotter, with a 91 tune it it advances the timing whic helps build more power, and advancing the time that much along with running a hot gas like 87 will cause detonation in the motor and cause knock. Which when the knock sensor pick up knock it pulls timing and that reduces power. Just get 91 gas, it like 3-4 dollars more per tank, well worth it

 

[Kenswartz]

Ok I was jw around me I think is the 87 89 and 93 so should I run 93 with 91 tune?

 

[Gecko]

Why not run the 93 tune if you're going to 93 in the tank?

 

[Hemi8073]

superchips only has 91 tune

 

[Hemi8073]

thats what i run, i use 93 on the 91 tune and it run great