Thinking about modifications led me to do a quick search for other sites with recommendations of where to begin. This article by Trent McGee at Diesel Power Products's website seemed especially useful for guys and gals seeking max power for competition. According to McGee, these are the three critical areas where you need to invest.
What I like about this article is that it begins by explaining what an engine really is. "An engine is essentially a giant air pump," McGee writes. "It draws in outside air, compresses and injects fuel for ignition, then exhales the spent gasses." That's a very concise and explicit explanation. In other words, it's an efficient form of creating power but requires sufficient air and fuel, and a means for getting rid of the spent gases. For optimal power you also need a way to control that air-fuel mix ratio.
In short, once you understand this, you understand why this article proposes the three following modifications. Once you process the previous paragraph, the essential modifications are three in number.
1) Cold Air Intake
2) Exhaust System Upgrade
3) In-line Programmer or Tuner
Installed between the ECM and the engine, think of it as A.I. for your performance diesel.
The article goes into depth on each of these three vehicle enhancements. You can find it here:
THE TRIFECTA: THE BEST FIRST MODS FOR YOUR DIESEL TRUCK
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The video shares TopCorey's Top 5 Mods for Your Powerstroke Diesel which are directed more to Powerstrokes, but have application to all diesel owners. You can see that the first three mods are identical to the Trifecta above, except in a different order. The last two items on his list of five are more in the realm of cosmetics.
1) Custom Tuning via Easylink ("Unlocks a truck's true potential")
2) Exhaust Upgrade (5 inch pipe recommended)
3) Factory modified VGT Turbo from SPE
4) Wheels, Tires, Lift Kit
5) Window Tinting
Some of us like to get information through reading, others through seeing. The options are many and it sometimes helps to get guidance from people who have been there and done that.
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Afterword: The Trifecta article has the words "Written by Trent McGee" in the title, but at the beginning of the article itself are the words "Written By: Diesel Josh" For what it's worth, I want to make sure whoever actually wrote this gets credit. Good stuff.
One of the advantages of reprogramming your truck’s EMC is that it is an easy way to boost your engine’s overall performance. EMC upgrades are very versatile, allowing you to alter hundreds of thousands of computer code to direct all the electronic functions to reach your truck’s full potential.
ReplyDeleteIt’s essential to note that by tinkering with the EMC’s settings, you could be running the risk of voiding your diesel truck’s factory warranty. It’s often safer to choose an in-line tuner as it doesn’t change the factory programming. Simply unhooking this type of tuner returns the EMC to its original factory settings. Unlike in-line tuners, an integrated tuner leaves a footprint when reinstalling the factory tuning which could render your engine’s warranty invalid.