Add 90hp w/ chip to my new 2003 2500?

[Bev]

I just took delivery of my brand new, first one in San Diego, 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel. LOVE IT! Everything I could have hoped for and more. Now I want to add "the chip" to it to boost the horsepower by 90hp (can't ever have too much!) But I just wanted to know if anyone else has boosted their hp and had any troubles (i.e., transmission probs, exhaust getting too hot, etc. . .)?

It is quite quick, but I really wanted a respectable amount of hp (more passing power, getting off the line, etc). Here in CA we get a measly 235hp.

What do you all think? Do it? Don't do it?

[dodge_em]

Couple of points of interest for ya, Bev....

First off, welcome to the Dodge Talk Board!!!

Secondly, modifications to the diesel engine are definitely fun and fairly easy. The chip isn't a bad way to go. It is easy, and does what it says it is going to do. There are more ways to modify these engines and get some serious power out of them than you can even imagine. So, I would really suggest some homework of sorts for you.

Research, Research, Research. Make sure the mod you want to do will do what you want it to do. Do you want more pulling/towing power? Do you want quicker acceleration? Do you want more topend speed? Do you want better economy? Etc. Here is a very good source of information. The Turbo Diesel Register (http://www.turbodieselregister.com) . Actually, there is more info there than I can even digest all at once, but it is a forum board similar to this one, but devoted purely to the Dodge Diesel Trucks. Use the search feature, and prepare to do a lot of reading. The guys/gals on that site are very informative and friendly.

As an added note, because of the big time horsepower and torque that the Cummins is able to produce very easily, our friends at Daimler-Chrysler have gotten very, very picky. Word is that any modification done to the engine and found by the dealer will void the warranty, whether it has caused a problem or not. It is awful hard to fight a corporation as big as them, even if you are right. I have mods done to my truck, but they haven't been discovered yet. After my warranty is up, I don't care what they find. But you might want to check into that, and see if there is any validity to it at all.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask. I would be more than happy to offer whatever knowledge I have. Also check out the Turbo Diesel Register site I referenced above. My screen name on that site is "quadzilla", because I have a "quad" cab, dark green like godzilla...

Good luck with your truck. I just test drove new one yesterday as a matter of fact. Just can't justify getting rid of my baby for a new one yet.... :)

--dodge_em

[Bev]

Thanks a bundle! I will check out Turbo Diesel Register right now.

The specific reason that I wanted to go with the chip is that it will be undectable. If something should go wrong (I'm hoping that he tranny can hold up), I just reach into my glove box and take it out before going into the service dept (I would just have it piggy-backed) and they are none the wiser. Also, I wanted more off the line speed (I quite enjoy blowing out the rice-burners). I have pretty much what I want freeway wise (I actually find myself doing 90 and passing people way more than I should!!)

The mechanic is Dodge certified and worked for Dodge for 12 years. He opened up his own shop, JT Diesel, about 9 years ago. He's brilliant for suggestions and how to be sneaky. He doesn't really want to open up the manifold or change out the exhaust unless we find that my current one just gets too hot with the hp boost. I just want it to be respectable, not drag race crotch-rockets.

Really, this truck is my primary vehicle so speed/power is important, but I also got it to haul my 3 horse trailer. I will do more research to make sure that boosting the hp with the chip won't somehow affect my hauling capabilities.

The chip just seems clean & simple without having to tinker with too much hence voiding my warranty. Here I go to Turbo Diesel Register.

Thanks again!!!

~Bev
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[Bev]

. . . sorry if this comes up twice. still figuring out the board!

Thanks a bundle! I will check out Turbo Diesel Register right now.

The specific reason that I wanted to go with the chip is that it will be undectable. If something should go wrong (I'm hoping that he tranny can hold up), I just reach into my glove box and take it out before going into the service dept (I would just have it piggy-backed) and they are none the wiser. Also, I wanted more off the line speed (I quite enjoy blowing out the rice-burners). I have pretty much what I want freeway wise (I actually find myself doing 90 and passing people way more than I should!!)

The mechanic is Dodge certified and worked for Dodge for 12 years. He opened up his own shop, JT Diesel, about 9 years ago. He's brilliant for suggestions and how to be sneaky. He doesn't really want to open up the manifold or change out the exhaust unless we find that my current one just gets too hot with the hp boost. I just want it to be respectable, not drag race crotch-rockets.

Really, this truck is my primary vehicle so speed/power is important, but I also got it to haul my 3 horse trailer. I will do more research :STY: to make sure that boosting the hp with the chip won't somehow affect my hauling capabilities.

The chip just seems clean & simple without having to tinker with too much hence voiding my warranty. Here I go to Turbo Diesel Register.

Thanks again!!!

~Bev
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[dodge_em]

Glad I could be of a little help. There is a lot of good things I have heard about the chip. Make sure that it doesn't somehow leave a code in the computer though. I have heard that some mods will leave a code in the computer, even after they are removed. Some don't. It is definitely worth asking about.

My tranny is showing signs of slipping a little under load. I have almost 80k miles on it, so I guess I have fared fairly well, considering the power and torque I put through it. And I am not easy on it in the least. I only wish I had gotten the 4.10 gears like you, rather than the 3.54 (not even available now) gears that I did get. That was my stupid decision, but I was worried about running out of gear at top end, or having it rev too high at steady 80mph cruising on the expressways.

After I upgrade my torque converter and valve body (probably in the spring with income tax refund money), I am going to install bigger injectors and maybe even a propane topper kit. Should really scream then.

Good luck, let us all know how it turns out, and post some pictures when you have some of your truck. There are a number of people here that can help with that. I need to get some updated ones of my truck in the gallery to replace some of the outdated ones.

--dodge_em

[Bev]

That's good to know about the chip leaving a code thing. I will double check that!!

I will post photos of my beloved truck as soon as it looks respectable (adding a 3" lift, chrome side-steps, Stull grill, chrome exhaust and a couple other bits-and-bobs). The lift kit doesn't exist yet for my model (grrrrr!!) :grum: so I must wait.

Sounds like you will be ready to blow a few rice-burners off the line. Good luck with your projects & thanks for your help!!

~Bev

[six pack]

Just to let you know DC is defintitley getting sticky about mods to diesels.
They can also tell from the data stored in the ECM(cummins controller) what the engine has been doing, as in fuel mileage,idle time etc.

If any box gets installed that requires back-probing or pinching of the wires to make a connection, the injection pump warranty is void along with any future concerns that may be related to the power increase.

I have been told by the reps it is Cummins that is stepping up and not paying the warranty claims that is causing the extra policing of these faults.

[Bev]

:SHK: What??? This sucks!!!!! I basically have to wait for my warranty to run out (I'll do 100,000 miles in about 5 years) before messing with the hp?!? But you guys do all sorts of mods. Is it just generally accepted that if something goes horribly wrong you have to suck it up yourselves??

Do you all know of any other "minor" mod that will get me more power but not mess with the warranty?

This news bites!:VHOT:

Thanks for the heads up. Much more research needed!!!!

~Bev
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[dodge_em]

I haven't heard too many stories of minor mods doing any harm to the Cummins engine itself, but Six Pack or some of the other members that are exposed to the service side of things may know better than me. The Cummins engine is very, very strong. I have heard of some injection pump failures, but not many, especially on the 24 Valve engines. But yes, a lot of guys just assume the load of having to do the repairs if something goes wrong. In the TDR magazine, they sell T-Shirts that say "I am my own warranty station". LOL Anyway, if something should go wrong, there are a lot of guys (and gals) that will do anything they can to help solve a problem. Often it is very simple to do, unless something just got completely botched.

As far as codes go, mileage, idle time, etc are excessively variable from driver to driver anyway, mod or no mod, so I don't know what the dealer can really surmise by that. As hard as I drive my truck, and with the mods I have done, I consistently average a little over 18 mpg. And that is figuring it based on miles driven, and gallons pumped in, not using the overhead computer. I take my truck to the dealer for all my oil changes, and they have never even mentioned a word about mods. Nothing about running the oversized tires, nothing about the exhaust mods, the A-Pillar guages, and I don't think they have detected the JVD box yet. So I wouldn't get to worried about it. They are being very picky.

On a different note, you can buy a mod kit from the dealer called an uprate kit. It is the same kit offered by an aftermarket supplier, but the dealer is nice enough to charge about twice as much for it. But installed by them, it doesn't void the warranty. I guess as long as they are getting the cash for the mod, then it isn't a problem.:rolleyes:

It is all a big double standard, because you can mod a gas engine all you want. Different cam, throttle body, headers, etc. and unless they can show that the mod made directly attributed to a failure, the warranty is still good. Technically, this is also the case with the diesels, but they have taken the stance that... "the warranty is void because of the mod, and if you think differently, then take us to court and fight us!"

I have 22k miles to go under warranty. I don't forsee any problems, but I am not going to get too carried away on mods until it passes, just in case.

[Bev]

I'm not familiar enough with the mechanics of a truck to know everything that could go wrong. I just know that with my luck something will. And the engine is the last of my worries (I thought). One of my main concerns is blowing out the transmission. And I'm sure there is something else in there that I could burn out.

Does a lift kit seem to void any warranty?? I definitely want it at least 3 inches higher. It is quite stumpy off the lot.

~Bev

[fdf]

Bev,your sig says you have a 2003.I thought all 03's had the new Common rail engine?I don't know if anybody makes any upgrades for them yet.Just curious.If it is a 24valve(2nd gen.)then go with an Edge E.Z..60 h.p. ,I think, and it is easily connected and disconnected,and does not tap into the pump wire.It also shouldn't hurt your tranny.Their #(801)476-3343,good people and outstanding customer service....Doug

[Bev]

Well, thank you Doug. As far as I (and the dealership) knows it is a 24 valve. Mind you no one has any spec sheets or brochures or glossies with any details yet. Yes, I have the truck, but no info. They did say that the engine had been tweaked so that it is much quieter and zippier, but as to Common rail vs. 24 valve. No clue. I will definetly find out for sure so that I can call them to get more details.

I have been going around asking Pro Comp, PG, ORG about mods & chips and things and they've all said that they don't exist yet, so it is very likely that I will have to wait.

Who would one have to install said chip? Do I go waltzing into a mechanic with my own chip and request him to install it? Or do they frown on this and prefer to do the purchasing of said chip?

I also want to lift the dumb thing and can't as they won't have a suspension lift kit for it till mid 2003. Ugh!

~Bev

[fdf]

...Bev I just got off the phone with Edge products and they will have a box comparable to the E.Z.for the new Cummins shortly(a couple of months).What I could get out of them is "so far +80h.p.".They are still doing some testing so they might squeeze some more out of it.This should be an easily removed box.They said not as E.Z. as the present one but not too bad to get on and off.These guys are pretty good so I would be patient and go with them.I'm in the process of getting a COMP.version for my 99,which is +120h.p. but it's not easily removed and leaves evidence at the pump wire.But I am my own warranty station as they say;) .If you got an 03 it's a 24valve but it's the new I.S.B.E.common rail fuel injected 5.9.So be patient the power is CUMMIN;) :D :D ....Doug

[Bev]

Thanks so much Doug!! I'm going to have to wait for most of my other mods so I can wait for this one too. I will call them back in say February!!

~Bev

[dodge_em]

Bev,
I am glad you are waiting. It will give you the chance to do some research, and fine tune exactly what you want it to do. Get that motor broken in. Best way to break it in, is to load it down or get a trailer behind it, and start climbing some hills with it. The load on the engine will help it seat the valves, and get everything all nice and worked up. It isn't hard on it at all. I like the Edge products as well, but they were just coming out when I got my JVD box, so I went with the JVD since the designers of the box were fairly local, and they also did the install for me.


on a different note...

Hey fdf... it says you are from Swanton... what state? OH?

[fdf]

O.K. I've got some more info from Diesel Dynamics.They are working on injectors and tweaking the electronics.Check this out http://www.dieseldynamics.com/isbe-intro.htm 444h.p.and 830 ft.lbs.just by messing with the electronics.D.D. is also a good outfit.I've got their stage 2 injectors in my truck and I'm well satisfied.dodge em,Swanton Maryland.I'm about 250 miles S.E.of Columbus Oh.I've been to Mopar nats. a couple of times...Doug

[dodge_em]

fdf... I will have to hook up with ya at one of the Mopar Events in the future!!! Have a good one.

[fdf]

Are you in the t.d.r.?Whats your handle if you are.I go by ffutch.Just a little correction on the D.D.info-that power is with injectors also...Doug

[dodge_em]

I am in TDR. My screen name there is "quadzilla". I don't go there as often as I like. I would be curious in finding more about injectors. I want to upgrade mine next spring, and know there are a lot of choices out there, both in brand name, and in level of power. I want to find something that will work with my other components and driving habits. Probably should start doing some research.... I have heard good things about DD, though.

[Bev]

Well, this should work out well. I am going to wait till stuff starts to come out for my engine which will be a while. In the meanwhile I do haul a 3 horse steel trailer here in So Cal with lots of grades so I should be breaking it in nicely soon enough. I hope my gas mileage gets better though. So far I'm at about 15 mpg when I was told to exprect 20-23 mpg unloaded. Hmmmm.

Thanks for all your help guys!!

~Bev

[drtswgr340]

You might also check with: JannettyRacing.com they fool around with all kinds of diesels and specilize in Dodge