Can of worms, need upgrade opinions please
 

I had an original game plan of getting stage 1 injectors and not modding thereafter. Then Bill comes in to add his thoughts. So after I talked to Bill I started getting the itch.

I wanted stage 1's; Bill recommends larger and detuning the injectors to allow for any future upgrades. This makes sense.
So now I am thinking stage 3/hybrids. Maybe 238/100?

My truck is an 03 with PMR's. I want to be able to tow up to 15K on occasion without knowing I'm towing ( I think thats how some put it) My truck is mainly DD and also want the extra power for those rare times when I want to mess around. Would also like to try and gain some fuel mileage if easy on the pedal; if possible.

Since my talk with Bill, I have been thinking about upgrading my turbo. Many say 38R is plenty, others say H2E(or modded) or WOP QSSB or GQSSB. I was thinking of going with a H2E or modded as they are tried and true; however some say the WOP might be better cause of less lag.
Maybe I am just starting to go overboard, not sure. I am liking the options with H2E or WOP.

I do not have current plans for forged rods, but maybe later down the road. I also have to figure out where my boost has gone. I need to make sure my truck is near 100%before future upgrades.
Oh, I will be getting a full BTS tranny installed on June 1st as well; so tranny will not be an issue.

Any thoughts on injectors and mostly turbo would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

This thread got me doing some research, and is like to throw in a question or 2.

Running stage 3 238cc to full potential, is there other modifications to be considered such as head studs? Also would like input on EBP. More exhaust will make more back pressure. At what point would you be concerned of the exhaust pressure overcoming the valve spring? I guess that would be another upgrade to consider as well as push rods?

For now Bill mentioned detuning the injectors to keep the truck safe with PMR's, but would allow for any future upgrades. This way i do not have to keep getting new injectors and wasting money for each upgrade.

Right now I want to keep the pmr's and everything the way it is, but I cannot tell you what my crazy thoughts will do in time. I currently have everything in my sig. Not right now, but maybe in the future we could do head studs, springs, rods, push rods, etc. I imagine that will be costly.

Honestly I might end up happy with the max safe level on PMR's (400ish)
:shrug: I am in the learning process about all of this and is kind of why I am looking for advise. I do not know what my EBP is, but I am going to try and figure it out on AE that just arrived today.

If you remember from TDS, I am having a loss of boost. I am going to dig into it and try to check the truck over with AE. I need to figure out how to use it and what to look for:smiley_roll1:

Also keep in mind that I live at 6500ft which apparently can create issues with bigger turbos

Thanks for any help. Let me know if you need more info from me to be able to help. Thanks

Yea, I remember you and some other guys having boost issues. I think that's the longest thread I've ever read.

Just a quick check and what you've looked into:

-boost leak
-exhaust leak
-shaft play
-clean filter

I think I have an exhaust leak. That black soot on the up pipes could be a clue. Im driving back home in 3 weeks. My truck will probably getting the bellowed up-pipes and ring-and-pinion gears the same time you're getting the BTS tranny.

I would like to get around 450-550hp. I'm going to check the insoection port to see what kind of rods I have when I install my 6.0 cooler that's been laying in the corner of my bedroom since Christmas.

If I do have pmr's, I'm gonna save my lunch money until I can take it to the PHP shop and have them install forged rods, springs, rods, turbo injectors, fuel system, and maybe bigger hpop.

Whats this going to set you back? That sounds like an expensive trip/project.
I was thinking about upgrading my turbo which is what I am trying to figure out and possibly stopping at PHP to get injectors installed after I get the tranny installed. Can have Bill redo my tunes as well. I do not know that I have enough cash saved up for all of that though.
I just do not want to get injectors, reburn, upgrade turbo...reburn, etc. I would like to get turbo and injectors then reburn at one time, plus possibly live tuning. It may just be a dream, but would be nice to do since I will be half way there.

I currently have $12K saved for the trip, but that will not go far when the tranny takes approx $5k of that. I might have to call Bill back on Tuesday and see what his thoughts are. I would love for Bill to do the work and help me figure out my Boost issue.
I can only get 20-22 lbs on DP 80E setting and I have confirmed that is accurate from running AE on a test run.

I am trying to figure out what to test and look for exactly using AE. I ran the buzz test, contribution and came back clean, ran the glow plug test for fun with no issues.
I tried testing HPOP, ICP and I think I am good. I get no codes except the AIH I removed and I currently have EBPV disconnected so I get a code for that.

I do not know how to test back pressure, but the BP in AE stays 1-2pts from Manifold Absolute Pressure. on WOT they will get into the high 30's. cant get data logging to work, need to get that figured out.

I have tested many times and looked, but I do not detect any boost or exhaust leaks at all. I have noticed, since my testing all started; when I really get on it and let off when I hit 1200+ deg, the truck will run rough, buck, studder or however you want to put it. I do not know if thats an issue with the DP chip.
I will have my FU on Tuesday so I will do some new tests with new chip installed.

If I am reading things right, My ICP pressure will get up to around 2800psi when I get on it, I think thats due to DP tunes. I believe PHP tunes will yield higher pressure IIRC.

As far as I can tell, everything seems normal, except I am low on boost. I did notice today it took longet to hit 1200+ deg, not sure why but I am not complaining. Still gets up there quick though. I think tonight I got it to 60mph or so before 1200ish. During my recent testing, I would only make it to 50mph.

I'll probably start talking to them when I hit 10k in the bank. I got 7k now but I'm doing some more spending on some truck maint. between now and then. Plus I'm house hunting so that could set me back 4-6k out of pocket depending on financing. But I have been looking for a house for little over a yr.

If I have my truck there and having them do all of that work, i will deffinately have them live tune it. I've already made one trip over that way. It's really not too too far when I'm back home in Alabama. Plus my dad is always traveling over that way. We can drop the truck off and spend some time up in Helen GA while they work on it.

wow, thats a good chunk of change. Sound like you have quite a bit going on.
I have some bills I want to pay off this yr and the wife wants to move withing the next 2-3 yrs.
I am not sure how crazy I want to get yet. I know I want injectors and I now need a new turbo. My exhaust impeller broke 2 fins and has some add play now. Weird thing is I put the stocker back on today and hit 23 lbs on 80e setting; so I might be back to normal on boost. I could not hit that much before.

I might just max out my pmr's and later when I need engine work, I can do the necessary upgrades for more power. Or I can sometime buy a new forged rod block, IDK.
Right now my main focus is to try and figure out what I want and get the injectors and turbo figured out.
I was thinking modded h2e or Gqqsb, but after some reading, many are going with other turbos. ie s3xx, s4xx, so I am really lost now.

I honestly do not know what a 400hp truck feels like and I could very well be happy at that power point. Thats a couple hundred more than I have now which should be a significant difference. Will have to make some calls for recommendations this week.

Couple hundred more HP? You're probably around 300 if not a little more.

I've thought about another block...not a bad idea. It would probably be easier. I like the Black Mamba engine.

I have never been on a dyno. I think our truck are around 235/250 at the flywheel, so probably under 200 at the wheels. 80/120hp from the chip, but I am not sure how much power we actually get from the chip. SO I guess we are somewhere near 300. That sucks, 100-150 more on PMR's probably isn't enough:hehe:

When I make my calls this week about turbo's I think I will ask about upgrading the motor, just for grins. Maybe this year I will max out the PMR's and save to get mor power next year.

I am not sure what the Black Mamba motor is, but will look into it. Thinking a short block might be the best route. Then we can upgrade our existing blocks for backup.

I saw someone on TDS that advertised their emissions results, and they also ran their truck on the 80hp DP tune. The dyno wasn't exactly calibrated, but they saw a gain of almost 40hp.

When it comes to upgrade my turbo I'm gonna come talk to you. You been doing some in depth research....I'm interested in seeing what you go with. I'm sure you saw that post on TDS about max boisterous with what chip/tune/turbo/injectors. I think people using phP tunes were reporting more boost : )

I tried finding the Black Mamba engine, by The Horsepower Shop, on my ohone and couldnt find it...hopefully they ate still out there. I like the short block idea.

How do you like the RiffRaff FRx? I'm thinking about buying it, tonight possibly...depending on if you post back tonight with good praise of it.

I saw that post about 80E only getting 40HP. Thats why I thikn TW doesn't post HP ratings. I am curious how bills will compare. I hear in the end that all 3 tuners are very close in HP but tune differently.

I found some info on the black mamba. I also saw some threads on different forums stating to steer clear of them. I am not sure; will have to do more homework. Wide open perfomance are selling built long blocks from 10K+:yikes2: Might even go to pull and pay and get a full motor for cheap.
; If I can find forged rod block.

the more I research on turbos, the more confused I get. I need to learn how they work and the difference in impeller sizes.

as far as the FRx. On my truck I cannot feel or hear a difference at all, but was told its more for saving the injectors. It keeps the air out of the fuel so the injectors do not have to force the air through them and prolonging their life.

There is a thread on TDS about the FRx. I think the guy was extremely happ and claims to feel/hear a difference. I already have the intank mods done, so that might be a reason whY I cannot tell a difference.
Its a cool low cost alternative to the full kits offered. Would I do it again...not sure. Honestly If I started over; I probably would not do most of what I have done to this truck.

I think my truck is louder now too since I changed the ICP? the one by the intake plenums. I will have to put my old one back in and see. Its that or the IPR on the HPOP that made it louder. When Warm My truck was pretty quiet. Or maybe my old ones were getting faulty and I have more pressure now making it louder cause its working better, IDK.

Talked to Bill last week about building an engine; approx 7K without rods. depending on rods chosen would be additional, but would have a near bulletproof motor.

I am wondering if factory forged rods would be good enough or something aftermarket.

Also ; as you know I figured out my turbo and injectors :cheesy smile:

Next will be HPOP and to upgrade my fuel system. I also need a steering gear box and power steering pump:sigh:

I'd be crying over my wallet by now:cry-blow:

I'm looking at a house this evening when I leave work. I may have to put a hold on spending for a minute.

I have done quite a bit of catching up on my truck spending in the last month. Makes me feel all warm inside:cheesy smile:

I hear you; If my wife knew how much I have spent on the truck lately:yikes2: She would have a heart attack and kill me in my sleep:smiley_roll1:

I have a few more things I want to do; then I will be done for the year...........
I think

:hehe: yea, I was wondering how was you getting by with all of that spending. My wife has told me a couple of times that I should just marry the truck.

I think I am getting to that point as well.

Too bad you already ordered your up-pipes; could have sold you mine for much less. I won't be needing them once I get that new turbo setup; unless I get a 38R for comparison/backup

I was thinking the same thing when I saw your post on TDS. Also the FRx, which I ordered 2 weeks ago. Oh well...

If I knew I was going to get crazy; I would have let you known earlier:smiley_roll1: Could have made you a great deal. Too late now.

I need to get Tony's tunes from Bill:shrug: I know bill has been busy and Tony has been hard to get a hold of. bad thing is I will have everything in a few weeks. Maybe I will try to get a hold of Bill; Maybe I should try and get Tony's tunes setup for my upgrades instead.