Top Tech Questions

Welcome to Top Tech Questions. Oftentimes, readers contact us with questions about articles, or to praise us on what a good job we are doing. But our favorite form of reader communication is tech questions. Our Top Tech section is a place where you ask what's on your mind, and we answer it. Got a trouble code? Wondering how to get your engine to make more power?

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More Power, Less Money
Question: I have a '99 Dodge Ram 3500 dualie to which I've made the following modifications: a new injection pump, new lift pump (had to), Edge Juice with Attitude, 4-inch turbo-back exhaust, and a K&N air filter. I would like more power to play with but have very little funds to work with. I've been getting your magazine for two years, and I would like to know what to do next, as everyone I speak to seems to have a different opinion.
Tom Hamilton
Via email

Answer: Dodges from '98 1/2 to '02 don't get the love they deserve. With a few simple modifications, they can make some pretty good power. You're on the right track with your modifications so far, but there's more power to be had with a set of larger injectors. The good news is that with your setup and some injectors, 400-plus rear-wheel horsepower should be well within your reach. Now for the bad news. Injectors aren't a place where you want to cheap out-it's very possible to get some smoky, EGT- increasing injectors that will actually make less power than a set of cleaner-burning models. If it were us, we'd spend the money once, and get a set of 110hp injectors from Dynomite Diesel Performance. At $699, they're reasonably priced, not too smoky on the street, and exhaust gas temperatures should still be somewhat in check with the stock turbo. You should also notice a big power increase. Buying smaller injectors will probably not give you the horsepower increase you are looking for, and anything larger will require a turbo upgrade, which will add considerably to your budget. You also didn't mention any type of transmission modifications. At this power level, you should probably have at least a torque converter upgrade if it's an automatic. As for budget power, we're already one step ahead of you. We're doing a series of articles on how to spend $1,500, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 on Ford, Dodge, and Chevrolet/GMC buildups. Last month, 6.0L Fords were featured, and this month, we take a look at how to build 6.4L Fords on any budget. We're not done yet, however, as '89 to '09 Dodges are next, followed by '01 to '09 Duramax trucks. If you can't wait that long, check out "Midwest Tour Part Three" on pg. 120 for part two of our 24-valve Cummins buildup.