I am trying to get a general concensus of whateverone's thoughts are regarding the following:

What do you think the reliablility level is of a bone stock 2006 PSD is with a SCT Tuner set on a medium tune? Has anyone gone 100K with no issues?

The reason I ask is I am having my head gaskets replaced at 36K miles and I am wondering if its worth it to do any performance mods to this truck after I get it fixed or leave it bone stock and sell the tuner.

I have been advised to get ARP studs and modify a bunch of things but it sounds like you have to do some serious reinforcing of the engine in order to sustain some reliability with a Tune.

If so.. I wll leave it stock.

Thoughts?

 

With studs you might be OK. It's a crap shoot at best. Some guys go a long time with no trouble and some allways have problems. The thing that matters the most is your driving style. If your foot is in it all the time you will probably have problems before the guy who restrains himself.

 

2000Mark: Stud the heads since you are getting the work done. After that just drive the truck to ensure there are no problems with the repairs. The studs and an EGR delete are two desirable mods. If you can manage the cash get the EGR deleted at the same time. The sky is the limit when you are done.

I got 82k on my Job2 '06 6.0 as a daily driver with plenty of mods, towing a boat and other trailers. Makes me happy everytime!!

 

Thanks for the imput guys..

Saftman.. I like to think I am a very conservative driver. I dont haul a 30ft fifth wheel.. only a 20 ft 5K boat during the summer and use if for some offroading durring the winter.. for each event.. I am never reving the crap out of it.. just letting it do its job. The tune just gave me that little added go power so I never wanted to jump on the pedal. But Im a bit dissapointed as these things are meant for serious work.. and I barely gave it any.

Heavy Assault.. did you have to replace your heads because of a leak too? or did you just add the studs on your own? From what I can see they run around 400 bucks.. anyone know a cheaper place? As far as the EGR delete.. I thought that was more specific to 2003-2004 models from what I read in the Tech folder and even if its deleted it comes with mixed results. What kind of results did you see in your '06?

 

I don't have studs or the full EGR delete. I haven't had the puking issues which seem "common" to the 6.0 so I guess I got lucky. Trucks produced after Jan '06 have a different set of head studs which are larger due to the factory retooling for 6.4L production. This isn't to say other owners haven't had issues with head gaskets that have the different head studs since each truck is different and is driven differently.

For my EGR I used the SCT to remove the EGR function and the "sneaky pipe" mod; the passenger side up-pipe is welded shut with the scoop removed to allow greater flow to the turbo and prevent flow top the EGR. I have smoother turbo spooling and more flow is always better for the motor.

Deleting the entire EGR system is worth it in the long run since you already need to have work done.

 

I have a 2004 Six O with Superchips Flashpaq medium tune and no problems. I did get on it from time to time, but not much. Do I need to worry about head studs? How much does it cost to install? Also, is there a "how to" to remove the EGR, Should I remove it? Thanks guy's.

 

Heavy Assult:

So at the leat it might be worth it for me to ask if they are going to use head studs that were produced after Jan 06? If I can use those studs, then it will probably help.. it sounds like i got the previous years head studs.

And so for the EGR, you used the Super Chip Tuner to remove the EGR? I do not think I have that function in my model.

 

As indicated, I have a 2007 6.0L, production date August of 2006, which include the longer set of head bolts and I still managed to stretch them and blow the gaskets.

I tow a lot and heavy but I will also admit that I have a heavy foot, whether loaded or not.

Just like you, I saw no problem in working the truck if that is what they are built and inteded to do. Obviously such was not the case for my truck as I hit the weak spot of the engine and blew the head gaskets.

Go ARP.

 

heavy assault has a custom tune which turns the EGR valve off. canned tunes, which are the ones that come with the tuner, don't have this ability because its an emissions item. if you are getting your head gaskets replaced then go with the ARP studs. if your heads are flat and true you shouldn't ever have problems with them again.

 

I would BEG for them to install the APR brand of studs. They are much stronger then the OEMs.

I use the following tuner: SCT Automotive Performance Products . If you decide to get one use a sponsor that will provide you a custom tune. My tuner programmed the EGR to not function since I have the modded up pipe. THis prevents throwing a CEL due to no flow to the EGR.