halbritt

I've got a new '96 12v that I'd like to optimize for performance and economy and I'm seeking advice on the best course of action for this purpose. Note that I already have boost and EGT gauges.

As I understand it, a lot of common power upgrades for the 12v will also improve economy. Just now, there's a stock exhaust with a muffler eliminator and a stock airbox, both of which I intend to replace with free-flowing components. Following that, I'm thinking of adding a mild set of injectors (DDP 50 or 75hp) and doing a custom ground fuel plate. I'm wondering what other tuning can be done and what sort of horsepower/torque one can expect without harming fuel economy assuming that I'm going light on the go pedal.

General tips and advice would be welcome. I've done a lot of reading about the 12-valve as I've been conspiring to get one for over a year, but at this point, I have very little experience tuning a diesel.

Need95-00CTD

Bump the timing...otherwise you won't pick up any mileage that'll be noticeable.

halbritt

How does one decide on the what timing to use?

Need95-00CTD

Most of us say to keep it below 17*...otherwise you'll blow your head gasket. I set one at 17* and it was fine for 100k miles, still is actually. I set the other at 16.5* and it blew in a week. To be safe I'd go 15*, or 16*. A set of injectors can pick you up decent mileage as well.

halbritt

Thanks for the advice. I found this FAQ:

http://www.piersdiesel.com/Faq.htm

Along with the timing chart. I'm wondering what kind of increase in fuel economy people see by increasing pump timing by a degree or two? I'm also wondering if there's a difference in economy between the DDP stage 1 and stage 2 injectors. DDP claims the same increase in economy for either injector.