BrianO
Junior Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2016
- Posts
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
- Ram Year
- 2001
- Engine
- 5.9 HO Diesel
I am getting old, the midlife crisis is here, and I have an urge to tinker with my truck. Specs in Sig, it has electric brakes and a jake brake. Used to tow toys, it loves to work; I still get about 11mpg pulling the 5th wheel so am pretty pleased with that. It has 150k on it (almost broke in). I did a clutch replacement about six months ago, replaced the stock with a Southeast-clutch Stage 4 Flywheel Clutch, it's a bit noisier but working great. My ¾ synchro gear is shot but not worth fixing IMHO
I want it to sound meaner while being a useful utility tool, it's not a show truck, don't care about looks. I visualize a truck, beefed up rear end, short stacks, pushing upward 0f 5-600 hp and 1k torque. I need to be able to pull 10 tons of toys -- 5th wheel loaded is about 14000 lbs and a 6-7000 lb boat behind it. I am not sure how achievable that is, and if I cannot get there, that’s fine as well.
I cannot afford to have the “best” gauges/parts/tuner/upgrades, nor will I have the worst – I want things middle of the road that will get the job done. I went to a performance shop and listed $2500 worth of upgrades, and by the time they told me what I should be getting, we were up to $7k, and that was the parts, so it's time to do it myself and have some fun in the process. In the end, I think I need to do the following to get this rig where I want it:
Beef up suspension - Done - Nothing fancy
Beef up braking - Do a swap out on the front end to Gen 3 brakes for better stopping
Beef up engine and power - Power plus its cool for my little 4-11 wife to tool around in, she would rather drive the truck with crap AC in Arizona than her Mini, Durango or the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (this allows me to fund this --- WITHIN LIMITS)
So this is the opening salvo for me, for every upgrade, I realize that there is always a better, higher quality, fancier option - I do not want to buy crap, but I will not be in a parking lot with the hood open on a Friday night in a lawn chair either
Here is my plan, ready to push the “order” button and get to work but would love you guys to give me your opinion and tell me if I am missing anything dramatic:
Thinking I should start out with the following: Lift Pump-Intake Filter-Tuner-Gauges
Lift Pump – Have external stock one, It seems that I need to get it updates right off the bat. Question? = Will upgrading the pump boost performance at all? Or just set the stage for future upgrades.
Anyone have experience with the airdog pumps? Seem to be rated pretty well and about $200 cheaper than the FASS pumps, Lifetime warranty as well so if they fail, they replace it. How about your thoughts on Pump only vs. Air Separators???
AirDog (R2SBD049) Raptor Lift Pump only– 100GPH 15-17PSI-- $288
AirDog (A4SPBD004) Fuel Air Separation System– 150 GPH –15-18 PSI -- $431
AirDog II (A5SPBD253) Fuel Air Separation System– 100 GPH – ADJ PSI -- $486
AirDog vs. AirDog II?
The AirDog II has the adjustable regulator, the pump and base are different internally. Pump assembly has a Dual Inlet design allowing more fuel to flow into the Gerotor; this allows the pump to increase volume without having to work any harder. Internally the fuel is redirected through passageways after being pressurized; this allows less fuel to be returned to the tank and more fuel to be held in the filters for a true "On Demand" system.
Intake Filter, was looking at these possibilities: any opinions on these?
S&B 75-5044 Cold Air Intake Kit for $269.00
aFe Power Magnum FORCE 51-80072 Intake System for $299.00
While I am at down at the turbo, I am going to remove the silencer ring, mainly because we love that sound. I realize that I am not going to get a lot of power doing this step. I am only doing it get this truck sounding good, that will keep the wife smiling, and that will keep the funds flowing.
I would like to upgrade the turbo one day, but guess there is a lot to do before I get to that stage.
On the intake side, I think that stock is acceptable at this point, have seen 700hp system still running the stock intake
Tuner – Thought are that I have the HO engine and from what I am reading there is a lot of untapped performance sitting there waiting to be released.
Looking at the Superchips 3845 Flashpaq F5 Tuner for $326.98 Tuner... From their website they state – “Estimated power gains: 115 hp and 270 ft. Lbs. Torque” Are they full of crap???
I know I could spend 2-3x more $$$ on a tuner, but that does not make sense to me at this point. Little steps. I could always move the tuner over to my Durango and get a better one in the future if needed, just seems like a good start and it is only $327
Gauges – Going to get the following – Water Temp – Oil Pressure 0-100 – Trans Temp 100-260 – EGT 0-1600 – Boost -30 - +30 – Fuel Pressure –
Brands I am comparing – Autometer – Glowshift – Maxtron – Prosport – and Isspro -
Glowshift seems to have the best prices, but someone said they are not as accurate. Once again, I need something that will do the job, if the water temp is 220 and its reading 215, I am pretty sure I can live with that. Thoughts are welcome
So that is step one of my plan, tell me where I am going wrong, if I am missing something or if I should be doing something better. Been researching a while to find the best balance between cost, power, quality and ease of install.
Please do not just say, those suck, or that is stupid, tell me why, I know everyone has favorites and opinions, there is also ten ways to skin a cat.
Sorry about the length, drinking thru a firehose here but I do appreciate anyone commenting and suggesting - Regards, Brian
I want it to sound meaner while being a useful utility tool, it's not a show truck, don't care about looks. I visualize a truck, beefed up rear end, short stacks, pushing upward 0f 5-600 hp and 1k torque. I need to be able to pull 10 tons of toys -- 5th wheel loaded is about 14000 lbs and a 6-7000 lb boat behind it. I am not sure how achievable that is, and if I cannot get there, that’s fine as well.
I cannot afford to have the “best” gauges/parts/tuner/upgrades, nor will I have the worst – I want things middle of the road that will get the job done. I went to a performance shop and listed $2500 worth of upgrades, and by the time they told me what I should be getting, we were up to $7k, and that was the parts, so it's time to do it myself and have some fun in the process. In the end, I think I need to do the following to get this rig where I want it:
Beef up suspension - Done - Nothing fancy
Beef up braking - Do a swap out on the front end to Gen 3 brakes for better stopping
Beef up engine and power - Power plus its cool for my little 4-11 wife to tool around in, she would rather drive the truck with crap AC in Arizona than her Mini, Durango or the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (this allows me to fund this --- WITHIN LIMITS)
So this is the opening salvo for me, for every upgrade, I realize that there is always a better, higher quality, fancier option - I do not want to buy crap, but I will not be in a parking lot with the hood open on a Friday night in a lawn chair either
Here is my plan, ready to push the “order” button and get to work but would love you guys to give me your opinion and tell me if I am missing anything dramatic:
Thinking I should start out with the following: Lift Pump-Intake Filter-Tuner-Gauges
Lift Pump – Have external stock one, It seems that I need to get it updates right off the bat. Question? = Will upgrading the pump boost performance at all? Or just set the stage for future upgrades.
Anyone have experience with the airdog pumps? Seem to be rated pretty well and about $200 cheaper than the FASS pumps, Lifetime warranty as well so if they fail, they replace it. How about your thoughts on Pump only vs. Air Separators???
AirDog (R2SBD049) Raptor Lift Pump only– 100GPH 15-17PSI-- $288
AirDog (A4SPBD004) Fuel Air Separation System– 150 GPH –15-18 PSI -- $431
AirDog II (A5SPBD253) Fuel Air Separation System– 100 GPH – ADJ PSI -- $486
AirDog vs. AirDog II?
The AirDog II has the adjustable regulator, the pump and base are different internally. Pump assembly has a Dual Inlet design allowing more fuel to flow into the Gerotor; this allows the pump to increase volume without having to work any harder. Internally the fuel is redirected through passageways after being pressurized; this allows less fuel to be returned to the tank and more fuel to be held in the filters for a true "On Demand" system.
Intake Filter, was looking at these possibilities: any opinions on these?
S&B 75-5044 Cold Air Intake Kit for $269.00
aFe Power Magnum FORCE 51-80072 Intake System for $299.00
While I am at down at the turbo, I am going to remove the silencer ring, mainly because we love that sound. I realize that I am not going to get a lot of power doing this step. I am only doing it get this truck sounding good, that will keep the wife smiling, and that will keep the funds flowing.
I would like to upgrade the turbo one day, but guess there is a lot to do before I get to that stage.
On the intake side, I think that stock is acceptable at this point, have seen 700hp system still running the stock intake
Tuner – Thought are that I have the HO engine and from what I am reading there is a lot of untapped performance sitting there waiting to be released.
Looking at the Superchips 3845 Flashpaq F5 Tuner for $326.98 Tuner... From their website they state – “Estimated power gains: 115 hp and 270 ft. Lbs. Torque” Are they full of crap???
I know I could spend 2-3x more $$$ on a tuner, but that does not make sense to me at this point. Little steps. I could always move the tuner over to my Durango and get a better one in the future if needed, just seems like a good start and it is only $327
Gauges – Going to get the following – Water Temp – Oil Pressure 0-100 – Trans Temp 100-260 – EGT 0-1600 – Boost -30 - +30 – Fuel Pressure –
Brands I am comparing – Autometer – Glowshift – Maxtron – Prosport – and Isspro -
Glowshift seems to have the best prices, but someone said they are not as accurate. Once again, I need something that will do the job, if the water temp is 220 and its reading 215, I am pretty sure I can live with that. Thoughts are welcome
So that is step one of my plan, tell me where I am going wrong, if I am missing something or if I should be doing something better. Been researching a while to find the best balance between cost, power, quality and ease of install.
Please do not just say, those suck, or that is stupid, tell me why, I know everyone has favorites and opinions, there is also ten ways to skin a cat.
Sorry about the length, drinking thru a firehose here but I do appreciate anyone commenting and suggesting - Regards, Brian