mod order?
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mod order?
This may be a silly question, but is there a basic order you guys recommend doing your mods? This is my first diesel, so i am learning quite a bit. My plans are exhaust, intake, then tuned chip. At what point do i need to get gauges? I have a boat, but dont do any heavy towing. what would be my next parts to upgrade after these? I have seen the sticky with all the different things you can do to these trucks, but not a basic order to go down. Sorry if this is a sticky somewhere i did not see.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
An Edge Insight CTS can monitor most of the things gauges can. You do however have to drill and tap a manifold to install an Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor. Replacing the restrictive downpipe would be high on my list if that hasn't been done yet.
Don't know what you've done yet, but I would start with changing the fluids. Oil, transmission, differentials, check the coolant for proper ph levels. Look for exhaust leaks around the up pipes, turbo, and exhaust manifolds. The 6637 air filter is a cheap and efficient aftermarket replacement for the factory airbox. You can piece that together, or order a kit from RiffRaff Diesel. If noise is an issue, then I would avoid the 6637 and look towards an AFE or possibly the AIS.
Don't know what you've done yet, but I would start with changing the fluids. Oil, transmission, differentials, check the coolant for proper ph levels. Look for exhaust leaks around the up pipes, turbo, and exhaust manifolds. The 6637 air filter is a cheap and efficient aftermarket replacement for the factory airbox. You can piece that together, or order a kit from RiffRaff Diesel. If noise is an issue, then I would avoid the 6637 and look towards an AFE or possibly the AIS.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Coolant pH is not as important as the anti-cavitation level. If you're changing fluids on a recent purchase, just flush the cooling system, and use the proper volume of SCA or a pre-charged product.
Intake and exhaust mods kinda go hand-in-hand; helping it breathe in better helps it breathe out better and vice-versa. So start with a downpipe and 6637-type intake. From there, gauges and a chip. After that you're starting to spend real money, in injectors, HPOP, etc.
Noise is not an issue with a 6637 kit. We're running kits from RiffRaff on both '95s, and they're no louder than stock. We hear a LITTLE more turbo whistle, but only when we really step in it.
Intake and exhaust mods kinda go hand-in-hand; helping it breathe in better helps it breathe out better and vice-versa. So start with a downpipe and 6637-type intake. From there, gauges and a chip. After that you're starting to spend real money, in injectors, HPOP, etc.
Noise is not an issue with a 6637 kit. We're running kits from RiffRaff on both '95s, and they're no louder than stock. We hear a LITTLE more turbo whistle, but only when we really step in it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 177
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From: Texas
I had my truck for a long time before I started doing upgrades. I did essentially what everyone else is saying. I got all the maintenance things taken care of early so it was running properly. Then I did 6637 intake, exhaust, then chip/gauges. I ran it like that for a long time with no problems. Then did a T-500 HPOP, shortly followed by e-fuel conversion. All of these things give a good foundation for later injector and turbo upgrades if you are thinking of doing these but also work great with everything else stock. The truck ran much smoother and stronger than it did with the factory setup. Just my two cents... what I did with mine.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,375
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From: evansville in
I had my truck for a long time before I started doing upgrades. I did essentially what everyone else is saying. I got all the maintenance things taken care of early so it was running properly. Then I did 6637 intake, exhaust, then chip/gauges. I ran it like that for a long time with no problems. Then did a T-500 HPOP, shortly followed by e-fuel conversion. All of these things give a good foundation for later injector and turbo upgrades if you are thinking of doing these but also work great with everything else stock. The truck ran much smoother and stronger than it did with the factory setup. Just my two cents... what I did with mine.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
my opinion of doing modifications past routine maintenance is gauges first. EGT is a must, all others are just for looks. i did the egt, boost, and air gauge for the onboard air.
i monitored coolant temp, oil temp, and trans temp for a month of hard driving and towing with Autoenginuity after adding the DP F-5 chip, and determined i did not need those gauges.
i monitored coolant temp, oil temp, and trans temp for a month of hard driving and towing with Autoenginuity after adding the DP F-5 chip, and determined i did not need those gauges.
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Thanks for the replies. The truck is a completely stock 97, with 76k miles, and she runs great. So i dont need to spend a bunch of money getting the motor running right.
My plan is exhaust, then intake, then chip, then gauges. or should gauges be first? So the Edge CTS does the same thing as gauges? Does torque pro do the same thing?
So after these, its injectors, turbo and HPOP? thanks guys.
My plan is exhaust, then intake, then chip, then gauges. or should gauges be first? So the Edge CTS does the same thing as gauges? Does torque pro do the same thing?
So after these, its injectors, turbo and HPOP? thanks guys.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,375
Likes: 604
From: evansville in
E-fuel,intercooler....head studs,valve springs,pushrods,traction bars,lift,wheels/tires,
Where to stop?
Decide on an ultimate goal for the project. Do that first.if you upgrade this or that then change the plan you can waste a lot of money very fast!!!
Where to stop?
Decide on an ultimate goal for the project. Do that first.if you upgrade this or that then change the plan you can waste a lot of money very fast!!!
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Texas
yeah definitely make a plan. And I would do gauges before or at the same time as a tuner/chip. Then you can be sure you aren't hurting your motor. 76K miles on that thing?? I'm jealous. That's awesome.
Once you start talking about injectors, that's when things get expensive. It really depends how much you want to spend on your truck. New injectors are pricey themselves, and then you add the cost of all the supporting mods needed and you're looking at a huge price tag.
From what you listed, I would do exhaust, intake, gauges, then chip. If you want to take it further, I would do e-fuel next, then HPOP. Finally- injectors, turbo, intercooler, headstuds, and depending on your injector/turbo selection, valve springs and push rods- all at the same time.
But there isn't just one way to do it. Really the best answer for you is do a ton of research and learn how the engine/truck works and decide what YOU want to do from there.
Once you start talking about injectors, that's when things get expensive. It really depends how much you want to spend on your truck. New injectors are pricey themselves, and then you add the cost of all the supporting mods needed and you're looking at a huge price tag.
From what you listed, I would do exhaust, intake, gauges, then chip. If you want to take it further, I would do e-fuel next, then HPOP. Finally- injectors, turbo, intercooler, headstuds, and depending on your injector/turbo selection, valve springs and push rods- all at the same time.
But there isn't just one way to do it. Really the best answer for you is do a ton of research and learn how the engine/truck works and decide what YOU want to do from there.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Edge is a programmer, not a chip. It can also only gauge what the PCM sees. It MIGHT have options for separate analog sensors such as EGT. Torque Pro can only gauge what the PCM sees, and doesn't tune at all.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
I have an Edge Insight CTS in my 02 and 08 trucks. In the 02 we had to drill and tap one of the exhaust manifolds to install an EGT sensor, and installed a boost sensor in where the Air Intake Heater went. It can also monitor boost off the MAP sensor if you choose to. Both trucks use the Edge for engine monitoring purposes. I have Swamps tunes in the 02, and an H&S MiniMax in the 08.
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