Wow...ideas for things to add to my truck.... - Diesel Forum

clayc_989 · 01-30-2007, 02:31 AM

Well, I own a '96 Stroker, and everything is stock. I bought the truck a couple of months ago, and I'm very pleased with this vehicle. It's amazing...but, anyways.
I want to know somethings I can do to upgrade and lengthen the life of my truck....I have alot of questions about things that I've seen that can be done and if there's any real benifit of spending the money to do such things (and there's pretty much a garuntee of great benefits, I know. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img])

What about things like new turbos, intercoolers, chips, exhaust, and the like? I know that new turbo housings will improve performance the same for exhaust, but there's things I'm curious about. I'm no mechanic but, I'd like to learn.

For the turbo, I've seen things that specify a .84 and 1.0 something...I have no idea what that means...anyone mind explaining that? I know intercoolers are good for managing EGT's and adding a small amount of horsepower but, are they that really benificial? I know an exhaust is something of a must but, what would be best? 4" pipes or something bigger/smaller? I'm pretty sure bigger is better to some point...I've heard alot of stuff about Flowmaster and BullyDog exhausts as being the best...but, there's always something out there I've never heard of. As for chips, I'm not too sure, I've heard from people that if I get a chip my injectors would have to be recalibrated (or replaced?) I'm not sure, it's been a while back and I'd have to get a new exhaust to compensate for the greater backpressure.....? And what about guages? Do they really help that much, or is that just for hardcore performance runs? Anything else I'm missing here for engine performance or engine longlivety that could be mentioned would be greatly appriciated.

I've also heard the E40D (I'm sure that's what the automatic tranny in my truck is,) is problematic....anything I could do to keep that thing going without having to replace it? It's not giving me trouble but, if it really is that prone to problems, I would rather be safe than sorry...

I'm gonna stop here 'cause I don't want this thing to be a monster post but, I think you guys get the idea. I just want to take this truck and make it more bad than it is. If you guys can think of anything that could be implemented into my truck that would give it alot of performance gains or something in the looks department, I would like to hear them. Thanks!

--clay

BDS · 01-30-2007, 08:20 PM

I replied this post last night and I look today it isn't there...???

No time now...Be back later.
Brent.

Big_Dan97 · 01-30-2007, 09:37 PM

go to beansdieselperformance.com and check out there combos for our trucks. you could also call dale at tymar performance 509 922 8785 for combo options. for an intake I would only buy a tymar beans sells them and of course dale does too. Not sure what the price diff is but check em out both are outstanding at customer service and helping you pick whats best for what you want out of your truck.
Dan

tates97 · 01-30-2007, 10:53 PM

I was you 3 years ago but with a 97. If I did it again the first thing I would do would be gauges. They tell you whats going on with your temps,boost(turbo related)and multiple other important systems. So if somethings a little wrong you have warning and as you add stuff you can see how it compares to stock. Ex. You'll see how much your temps drop WHEN you add an open air filter system and open up the downpipe and exhaust. Do the research(google Steve Baz) My .0002 TAte

Tankota · 01-30-2007, 11:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I own a '96 Stroker, and everything is stock. I bought the truck a couple of months ago, and I'm very pleased with this vehicle. It's amazing...but, anyways.
I want to know somethings I can do to upgrade and lengthen the life of my truck....I have alot of questions about things that I've seen that can be done and if there's any real benifit of spending the money to do such things (and there's pretty much a garuntee of great benefits, I know. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img])

What about things like new turbos, intercoolers, chips, exhaust, and the like? I know that new turbo housings will improve performance the same for exhaust, but there's things I'm curious about. I'm no mechanic but, I'd like to learn.

For the turbo, I've seen things that specify a .84 and 1.0 something...I have no idea what that means...anyone mind explaining that?
IIRC these are air ratios of intake to exhaust size of the turbo. 0.84 is th smallest. 1.0 is medium and stock is 1.10 (or 1.15?). From what I have learned on here is that the smaller exhaust housing for the turbo generally just moves your power curve lower in the rpms and gives you quicker spool up and a little more boost

I know intercoolers are good for managing EGT's and adding a small amount of horsepower but, are they that really benificial? I know an exhaust is something of a must but, what would be best?
They do what you said...lower egts and add a minute amount of power. They are good for rigs that have alot of egt probs while towing. They also give the turbo more of an area to compress the air so that slows your spool up time on your turbo. Not generally necessary unless you have big injectors and/or tow huge loads.

4" pipes or something bigger/smaller?
4" exhaust is good enough for most. Biggest downpipe you'll fit is 3" until it clears the firewall then some bell to 4".

I'm pretty sure bigger is better to some point...I've heard alot of stuff about Flowmaster and BullyDog exhausts as being the best...but, there's always something out there I've never heard of.
Any mandrel bent exhaust will work fine. I'm using an almost generic 4" tailpipe off of a superduty. Some generic 4" pipe from a semi shop and a downpipe made by a company specifically for the PSD.

As for chips, I'm not too sure, I've heard from people that if I get a chip my injectors would have to be recalibrated (or replaced?)
No. If you have a chip and then get bigger aftermarket injectors then your truck will perform better if the chip is recalibrated to adjust for the larger volume of fuel being delivered. Stock injectors work fine with any chip.

I'm not sure, it's been a while back and I'd have to get a new exhaust to compensate for the greater backpressure.....?
4" is fine. I run straight pipe. However if you have emissions testing where you are at then you'll want to only do a downpipe and cat back exhaust.

And what about guages? Do they really help that much, or is that just for hardcore performance runs?
Guages first will help you set a baseline and figure out if something isn't working correctly right now. For example, stock trucks should be getting about 16psi of boost at peak. If you can't reach 10 psi then you know right away something is wrong. Tranny temp guage...wish they would have come stock. I am certain I overheated my tranny a couple times towing up logging roads to get to a camping spot. Tranny guage would have let me know the problem was occuring.

Anything else I'm missing here for engine performance or engine longlivety that could be mentioned would be greatly appriciated.
Check your SCA level. See stevebaz website or do a search here. Keeps cavitation to a minimum to preserve your engine. Change your oil and make sure you are using the correct kind. Ditch the stock air intake immediately and get a tymar. The stock one has been known to leak. They even did a recall on it cause the plastic screws couldn't keep the lid tight. For cheap performance you can try 10k, IDM mod, chips, and of course intake and exhaust. Do the guages first though. Oh yes, might want to check your fuel pressure also.
Oh yah, cause ULSD is pretty ruthless on the injectors try to put a little stanadyne or biodiesel in there occasionally. The bio may clean your fuel system the first time you use it so get a spare fuel filter ahead of time

I've also heard the E40D (I'm sure that's what the automatic tranny in my truck is,) is problematic....anything I could do to keep that thing going without having to replace it? It's not giving me trouble but, if it really is that prone to problems, I would rather be safe than sorry...
Don't let it overheat. Change the oil anytime it gets hot or once per year or more if you drive more than the average person. Oh yes, add a HUGE cooler for it soon. Don't let it hunt for gears...i.e. shift out of OD when you drive around town or when you hit a hill that the tranny might want to downshift for on its own. I personally won't tow any hill in OD...I use 3rd which is direct. The superduty torque converter fits these trannies. Seems as though the torque converter sometimes goes first and takes out the rest of the tranny with it. If you torque converter has a drain plug on it then it is likely original.

I'm gonna stop here 'cause I don't want this thing to be a monster post but, I think you guys get the idea. I just want to take this truck and make it more bad than it is. If you guys can think of anything that could be implemented into my truck that would give it alot of performance gains or something in the looks department, I would like to hear them. Thanks!
As for looks I seem to be going backwards...smaller tires and mudflaps. Turning more towards function than looks at this point.

[/ QUOTE ]

clayc_989 · 01-31-2007, 02:45 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Tankota
IIRC these are air ratios of intake to exhaust size of the turbo. 0.84 is th smallest. 1.0 is medium and stock is 1.10 (or 1.15?). From what I have learned on here is that the smaller exhaust housing for the turbo generally just moves your power curve lower in the rpms and gives you quicker spool up and a little more boost

...which equates to gain in HP or torque?

They do what you said...lower egts and add a minute amount of power. They are good for rigs that have alot of egt probs while towing. They also give the turbo more of an area to compress the air so that slows your spool up time on your turbo. Not generally necessary unless you have big injectors and/or tow huge loads.

I don't have to tow anything big, just haul stuff around in the bed...we sold our 5th whell a while back, so I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be towing anything big for a while....but, an intercooler would be a good idea anyways, correct?

No. If you have a chip and then get bigger aftermarket injectors then your truck will perform better if the chip is recalibrated to adjust for the larger volume of fuel being delivered. Stock injectors work fine with any chip.

Sweet. About chip installs, are the difficult? I know they can be expensive and I've spent time on the Banks page and they seem to go by the rule of taking care of intake and exhaust with the addition of a chip to make sure things go OK....From what you've said, stock stuff would work fine?

4" exhaust is good enough for most. Biggest downpipe you'll fit is 3" until it clears the firewall then some bell to 4".
Any mandrel bent exhaust will work fine. I'm using an almost generic 4" tailpipe off of a superduty. Some generic 4" pipe from a semi shop and a downpipe made by a company specifically for the PSD.
4" is fine. I run straight pipe. However if you have emissions testing where you are at then you'll want to only do a downpipe and cat back exhaust.

When I had the exhaust done on my el camino, they removed the cat, so I'm guessing that it's not a big deal here. I'll have to look into the possibility of removing that thing. On that Baz page, is says removing the cat has some good benifits.....

Guages first will help you set a baseline and figure out if something isn't working correctly right now. For example, stock trucks should be getting about 16psi of boost at peak. If you can't reach 10 psi then you know right away something is wrong. Tranny temp guage...wish they would have come stock. I am certain I overheated my tranny a couple times towing up logging roads to get to a camping spot. Tranny guage would have let me know the problem was occuring.

I'll look into that. I'm guessing a boost, EGT, and tranny temp guages would be a good start? Fuel pressure would be something to add too?...and anything else that could be guaged?

Check your SCA level. See stevebaz website or do a search here. Keeps cavitation to a minimum to preserve your engine. Change your oil and make sure you are using the correct kind. Ditch the stock air intake immediately and get a tymar. The stock one has been known to leak. They even did a recall on it cause the plastic screws couldn't keep the lid tight. For cheap performance you can try 10k, IDM mod, chips, and of course intake and exhaust. Do the guages first though. Oh yes, might want to check your fuel pressure also.
Oh yah, cause ULSD is pretty ruthless on the injectors try to put a little stanadyne or biodiesel in there occasionally. The bio may clean your fuel system the first time you use it so get a spare fuel filter ahead of time

SCA? All I've found is that it has something to do with the coolent....details? ULSD, are you just talking about straight diesel here? Biodiesel isn't really redily available down here so, is stanadyne easy to find and cheap?

Don't let it overheat. Change the oil anytime it gets hot or once per year or more if you drive more than the average person. Oh yes, add a HUGE cooler for it soon. Don't let it hunt for gears...i.e. shift out of OD when you drive around town or when you hit a hill that the tranny might want to downshift for on its own. I personally won't tow any hill in OD...I use 3rd which is direct. The superduty torque converter fits these trannies. Seems as though the torque converter sometimes goes first and takes out the rest of the tranny with it. If you torque converter has a drain plug on it then it is likely original.

[/ QUOTE ]

Torque converter? I'm not too sure what that does, and I'm lazy to look it up but...whatever. I'll look later. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I hate being a noob at things so the more you throw at me, the more I'll pick up. I guess I'll start with guages and intake / exhaust....then move up to the more complicated stuff. Thanks for your help guys, and more info is appriciated.

-clay

muss1980 · 01-31-2007, 01:38 PM

I just put a tymar on and with shipping it was 128. Big improvement. That is where I started and it is exhaust next.

Tankota · 01-31-2007, 05:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Torque converter? I'm not too sure what that does, and I'm lazy to look it up but...whatever. I'll look later. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I hate being a noob at things so the more you throw at me, the more I'll pick up. I guess I'll start with guages and intake / exhaust....then move up to the more complicated stuff. Thanks for your help guys, and more info is appriciated.

-clay

[/ QUOTE ]
Torque converter is what an auto uses instead of a clutch/flywheel assembly. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

clayc_989 · 02-01-2007, 01:24 AM

*point to my quote with questions*

Right...well, I've seen torque converters for sell, and they are expensive....That sucks. I've been looking for some guages and I've come to the conclusion that picking those first would allow me to see where I need to make improvements. All I wold need first of all would be a boost, EGT, and fuel/oil pressure....that would show the most immidiate things that need improvement....?

Tankota · 02-01-2007, 02:24 AM

[ QUOTE ]
*point to my quote with questions*

Right...well, I've seen torque converters for sell, and they are expensive....That sucks. I've been looking for some guages and I've come to the conclusion that picking those first would allow me to see where I need to make improvements. All I wold need first of all would be a boost, EGT, and fuel/oil pressure....that would show the most immidiate things that need improvement....?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yah, some of the custom aftermarket torque converters cost ALOT! Stock one out of a superduty apparently is an upgrade compared to the stock ones in our trucks.

Boost, EGTs, and Tranny temp. If you want more then try fuel pressure. Oil pressure for the motor is not that big of a deal unless you are really into knowing it. The oil pressure to the injectors is VERY HIGH...like up to 3-4,000psi. Don't think anyone sells a guage for your dash for that at the moment.

clayc_989 · 02-01-2007, 02:38 AM

Right, I did find some nice guages but they were expensive...I guess I'll have to opt for some cheaper ones for now.

...and I've came across another question with the exhaust. I've heard that the cat provides needed backpressure for my engine to perform correctly and efficiently...without it, my performance would go way, way down. So how is it possible to run and exhaust without it....?

Tankota · 02-01-2007, 02:39 PM

Talk of removing federal emissions equipment is not allowed on here.

With that said, your diesel does not need any more back pressure than what it already has with the turbo. Alot of people run straight pipe...no muffler no nothing, myself included.

tates97 · 02-01-2007, 02:50 PM

Tony at Total Diesel Performance can help you with your gauges and can explain chips for you.

rattler02 · 02-01-2007, 06:42 PM

""For example, stock trucks should be getting about 16psi of boost at peak. If you can't reach 10 psi then you know right away something is wrong.""

What would be "wrong"?

clayc_989 · 02-02-2007, 02:13 AM

I've edited the post...to be a bit more specific and rule friendly.....

Rattler, from what I understand. If your stock turbo cannot reach the normal amount of boost pressure, there is either something like a leak in the intake (I don't know if that's correct) or the housing is bad...but, either way. You want peak performance all the time....so yeahs...