I am seriously considering some more mods to my truck, and I need some help from you experts on what to install.

Here are my goals:
- Increase power for towing
- Effect on fuel economy not much of an issue (don’t care)
- Don’t want to hurt the transmission
- Don’t want to have to modify the transmission
- Most cost effective
- Don’t want to have to modify the turbo
- Don’t want to have cold weather or towing driveabililty issues
- Not interested in “street racing”

The truck is a 2002 2500 4x4 quad cab with the 47RE and the HY35 (small) turbo. Truck has 75,000 Km on it (~ 40,000 miles), and is in very good shape.
I use the truck as a daily commuter, and in the summer, it is used to pull a 34’ 8500 lb bumper pull RV (travel trailer). The trips start out in the flats, and progress into the mountains.

Here’s what I have:
- Superchips tuner
- K&N drop in filter
- Gauges will be done before anything else

Here is what I am considering:
- I like the Superchips Tuner, and will keep it (3 levels as you know)
- I am considering RV275s ($500 installed)
- I am considering either a muffler/resonator delete, or installing a Walker BTM ($100?)
- I am considering a 4” exhaust (but local shop wants $700 installed – ouch)
- Boost fooler (for MAP sensor) and companion “turnbuckle” or “J-hook” to keep wastegate closed longer ($125 I can install myself)


I can do some, or all of the above. I want to do all of the mods, but I am thinking that if I do, I may have too much power for the Trans (especially when pulling the RV), and too much fuel for the HY35 (high EGTs), but I don’t know.

I would really appreciate if those of you with greater knowledge than me could give me your thoughts. I have been struggling with this for a while, I have done a ton of research, but I just can’t decide. I can spend about $2000 on mods.

 

any more then what you have and you are going to be pushing a stock tranny to its limits. You could do a shift kit which would really help out.

rv275's and exhaust would be sweet. add a boost elbow and a boost fooler or sell your sc for a EZ and you would have a nice set up.

also ditch the k&n for a bhaf

 

Without modifying the trans, I'd be nervous installing any mods beyond a bhaf, 4" with a EZ or VA. I would also turn whatever chip you end up with off when towing. Chances are you will need a new tranny, there's just no way around it.

You can get turbo back 4" systems off ebay for $350 and install it yourself.

Good Luck!

 

why not a shift kit, injectors, wastegate hook and a mad ecm, through a 4" that you can install yourself if you can run a grinder or sawsall? you should have more then enough $$ and will be at a level that exercises your tranny to its fullest potential.

 

From what I've read its not so much the trans. as the TQ Con. change that $800-1,600 about , the TQ goes and fills the trans. with nasty things and then you do need a trans. and you can always get a trans later. I am looking to do more soon and the trans. is the biggest ? becouse its the biggest expence that I'm considering, I haven't made up my mind yet , but another thought is one of the 3 everybody talks about , all say that getting the HPs to the ground more eff. that means better MPGs and that turns into some payback.

 

ib516,

You're headed in the right direction, get a shift kit and be easy on the go pedal when towing and you'll be OK. I too would suggest the van Aaken or EZ over the Superchip, this will stress the trans more but you get so much more HP from them as compared and for your dollars worth too! We can help you get a really top notch MBRP system in 304 for the price you were quoted, 409 for a little over half and aluminized at less than half so even if you pay to have it installed it'll be waaaay less than what you mentioned. Do it yourself and it'll be even more of a savings. I would try the van Aaken/EZ and the exhaust with an AFE Pro Guard 7 intake or drop in filter and see how it runs and if it's enough HP increase for you. The if it's not you can add the 275's down the road. Remember you should also add a set of gauges too, we stock all the Auto Meter, Isspro, and the new DiPricol gauges and mounts as well. Give us a call if you have any questions we'll be glad to help you.

Mark @ DPPI

 

Like everyone else says get the trans taken care of before you do any thing else!! I shift kit or valve body will inrease the pressure and make the trans shift better and quicker and will help hold more power. SMR makes a nice shift kit!! All the tranny builders sell valve bodies. I'd just skip all the little boxes and injectors and just get an adjusable box the Edge Comp. This will add all the fuel your truck can handle.

 

Anyone else want to throw their $0.02 in? (BUMP)

 

Boost Fooler, Turn Buckle & RV275's are all you can handle (on top of SuperTuner)...under your restrictive list of criteria, ie. no turbo or Trans upgrade.
-Don't need the 4" exhaust..... unless you just want the sound. I would just straight pipe the stock system.
-Shift Kit, I've heard, is a good mod to help tranny. Never tried it.
-Use turnbuckle to block off wastegate completely. J-Hook, IMO, won't be needed - don't think you will get over 35 psi boost.

Total expense for above = $1,000 Max ... plus shift kit = total well under $1,500.

Hurting your tranny really depends on how strong it is from the factory. Lots of variations in stock trannys ...... some hold added power better than others.
RJ

 

I will just reaffirm what everyone else has said.

Tran mods first. If you dont you WILL end up broken in the future.
Get a valve body and converter then you should be good for a long time.
Gauges next (fuel pressure is a must) trans temp, EGT, Boost (for fun) then start throwing mods at it. Your trans will hold up after the mods and you can monitor the rest with the gauges.
I started with the 275's then ended up with the Jammer stage 4's, bigger turbo, Edge Drag come etc etc.

Good luck


dan

 

I have added a J-hook and boost fooler, and plan on taking out the stock resonator and muffler and installing a flo-pro 3.5" in/out muffler (straight thru design). Then gauges in the a pillar pod before towing the RV, which has to wait until spring around here.

If that doesn't satisfy, I'll add the injectors and hope the tranny holds. If I break it, I break it I guess. Good time for an upgrade then.