Rate your Upgrades!

[Cowracer]

I am curious how people feel about their upgrades after living with them for awhile. So now is your chance to rate them.

The rating scheme is "If you had to do it over again, would you still buy/use the same upgrade?" Answer Yes, No or Maybe. You can add plus signs to indicate how strongly you feel.

I'll go first:

Kennedy Exhaust: yes++
Turbo-Master: Yes++
Max-E-Torque chip V1.0: Yes+
Bosch Hi-Flow Injectors: Yes
Isspro White Face Gauges: No++
Homemade Boost Fooler: No
Homemade FSD Cooler: Yes+
Eagle Aluminum Wheels: Maybe
Rotella Synthetic: Yes++
Kennedy Quick Heat Glowplugs: Yes
8 ply Firestone Steeltechs: No++
10 ply firestone Steeltechs: Yes
Homemade IAT Fooler: Yes
Snorkle Mods: Yes
High Idle: Yes+
Performance Friction Carbon Metallic Pads: Yes++

So. Whats yours?
Tim

[turbovair]

Heres a couple:
97 dual t-stat and pump A+
Fumoto drain valve F (leaks)
Isspro gauges C+
D-max cooling fan and lower engagement clutch A+
K+N filter B

[matt-max]

ok, here goes for the tahoe:

egr block-off plate & intake mod yes!
kennedy headlight booster harness & lights yes
kennedy 3.5" exhaust yes!!!!
bilstein shocks yes!!!!!
egr big brake calipers/rotors/lines yes $$$$
westers garage ecm reflash yes!!
17" denali rims w/cross-terrains yes
belltech/addco front/rear sway bars yes!!
timbren suspension springs yes!!
western ultra-mount plow yes!!
pro-wings for above yes!!
2" torsion bar lift yes, but a bit harsh
isspro gauges yes
custom grille guard to fit plow mount yes!!
surco safari rack yes
denali/escalade buckets and console yes!!!!!!!!
pioneer deh-p77dh head unit yes
component speakers including sub yes
2" billet rear wheel spacers yes!
black luverne sidestep nef bars yes
black 6"-drop rear step bumper yes
black 'street demand' front bumper w/grille yes

so what's not to like?

matt

[99gmccrew]

1.intercooler smile.gif smile.gif smile.gif
2.4" exhaust k&N filter smile.gif smile.gif
3.boost controller smile.gif smile.gif
4.Gauges
5.shift kit
6.deep tranny pan

Yes, glad I did all of the upgrades!!! Poised and waitng to get new reflash when the boss says OK.
I have to make it somehow seem like it was her idea! :D

[ 02-12-2005, 07:29 AM: Message edited by: 99gmccrew ]

[patrick m.]

the number one upgrade in my opinion is the one that got all of this started, and led me to the DP was the first chip ;) after that, it was all over.
Intercooler. By far the best upgrade, you cant do much with out one.
Boost fooler. gave mine to a buddy, JK's "big chip" takes care of that (plus my computer doesnt control the wastegate anymore)
exhaust. gotta have, air pumps must be able to move air.
HIPOP injectors......not a big difference maker, maybe notice a little improvement in performance, and a little improvement in cold starts.(would i do it again? Yes)
Gauges. gotta have, even when stock.
cooling upgrades. good for the engine and piece of mind, i never overheated but it would fluctuate more that a little. (would do again)
Air box mods. costs nothing, untill you add a high flow filter. noticed air filter more evenly covered with dirt afterwards, so must improve air flow. (would do again)

Turbo!!!! May be a never ending upgrade :D , i have fitted three different turbos to my engine all have outperformed the GM-4 by a ton. Definetly a "would do again"....infact its a "still doing". the 6.5 likes pressure, some would argue "flow", I argue "fun" ;) especially this last fab-up.

[Marty Lau]

here goes:
3:73 to 3:42 YES++
3 Inch exhaust Yes (I'd do 3 1/2)
TurboMaster Yes++
Heath Chip V2.0 YES+++
cooling upgrade & timing chain Yes+++
Beta Cooler on Intake NO+++
Heath PMD Isolator Yes+
Hayden Fan Clutch Yes
JK Quick Heats Yes (needs extended glow time)
Rotella 5W-40W Synthetic oil YES+++
2 quart oil filter YES++


Tim, did you get your truck problems solved??? :confused:

[Cowracer]

Originally posted by 16ga SxS:

Tim, did you get your truck problems solved??? :confused: Yes sir! Thanks to the considerable kindess of Don Christie (DCHRISTIE) I managed to work out the problem.

Full writeup here: clicka dis link, right here! (http://forum.thedieselpage.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008112)

Tim

[Marty Lau]

Originally posted by Cowracer:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by 16ga SxS:

Tim, did you get your truck problems solved??? :confused: Yes sir! Thanks to the considerable kindess of Don Christie (DCHRISTIE) I managed to work out the problem.

Full writeup here: clicka dis link, right here! (http://forum.thedieselpage.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008112)

Tim </font>[/QUOTE]Tim;

I saw and read that thread but I'm not always the brightest bulb in the pack....so what was it crappy fuel or timing gears? :confused:

[Cowracer]

definitly not the gears, unless they mystically healed themselves...

I still am not sure. After I got it road-ready, I went straight to the fuel stop and bought a full bag of fuel.

My truck is running great now. the only thing that makes any sense is if the fuel in the truck had some problem that only showed up after it got really cold and stayed after it warmed up. I'm not up on my inorganic chemistry enough to know what that contaminant could be.

I filed that whole deal in the "I guess we'll never know" bin

Tim

[Bobbie Martin]

DB2 Mechanical pump conversion ABSOLUTELY YES ++++++

Cibie Headlight conversion YES

97+ Air Box with K&N Filter YES

Alternator upgrade with "Iceberg" housing YES

Bilstein shocks YES

Late model GM aluminum wheels YES

FSD Cooler NO

[rjwest]

Full set of gages, Boost, EGT,Oil &tran temp -Yes
Fuel Pressure Gage YES!!!!
Remote FSD ( IN CAB ) YES !!!!
Down pipe , exhaust 3", SHould have been bigger.
Remote Dual oil Filters yes
Deep Tran Pan Yes
Extra Underbed Fuel Tank YES !!!!!!!!!!!
Boost Fooler Yes
Selectable Voltmeter ( Both batt,Alt,Camper Bat,YES
Relays-Camper Light/Batt/Acc&Fuse Block YES

4.10 to 3.73, Probably a NO!!!

Sleeper Bunk in Ext Cab YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keeps wife quite!!!!!!!!

[Wheat Whacker]

Well my favorite upgrade is a complete JK 3.5" exhaust kit WOW. The next is my Hypertech chip not near as good as JK or Heaths but mainly good enough for me. Also a pyro and boost gauge a must for all. Also the '97+ cooling upgrades a very important upgrade as well. And lastly is the high idle switch in the cab.

I am very happy with all these upgrades.

[CareyWeber]

Dr Lee Bypass Oilfilter setup YES++++++++

Racor 445 before lift pump with heater yes++

High Idle switch Yes+++++

K&N yes

Four 50 watt Reverse Lights two mounted on hitch and two mounted to frame just behind front wheels. YES+++++++++++++

KC Stanless Steel 165 watt Daylighters (Moose Seekers) worked great in Alaska and Canada, but are useful much in the lower 48. yes

PRODIGY trailer brake controller YES++

Lube Specialist oil cooler lines yes

Home made One Guage Battery cables YES+++++++++++

Relay to run all clearance lights off rather the GM headlight switch YES++++++++++++++++++++++

Kenndy Fan CLutch YES++++++++++++++++++

Dual 3" exhaust (I'm getting ready to install 3.5" with no muffler) ok

Jardine downpipe yes

Manual glowplug override switch yes

Carey

[Dvldog 8793]

Howdy
I have had three different configurations of my truck. Stock, Modified and More Modified. Many of the things that I list were done while I had the engine out, otherwise they may never have been done. Some upgrades have been upgraded again, it's all a learning process. Also when I had the engine out I did not reinstall the phaser gears, in another 2 years when the warrenty is out the Phasers will go back in. I am using (5) + for the best (0) + for not so good.Sooooo...........

Gearvendor aux OD YES++++
JK3.5 exhuast w/ DP and Crossover YES+++++
K/N air filter NO
UNI filter w/ airbox opened up YES+++++
1/0 battery cables w/ marine crimp ends YES+++++
Optima red top batteries YES++++++++++++++++++
Onboard bat charger YES++
Oil pan heater YES+++++
JK headlight harness YES+++++
Philips rally bulbs YES+++++++++++++++
PIIA 550 racing lights YES+++++
PIIA 55 watt fog/snow lights YES++
Hella 55 watt backups YES+++
JK FSD extension YES+++++
Beta cooler YES+++
JK boost control(no longer in use) YES++
JK High pop/flow injectors YES+++++
Heath Turbo master YES+++++
Heath Maxitorque ECM YES+++++
Removed Vac Pump YES+++
Heath Air-Air intercooler YES++
Maghytech trans pan YES+++++
Maghytech rear dif cover YES+++++++++++++
Bilstien shocks YES+++++
Front mount jumpercable plug YES+++
Greg's cooler lines YES++
Amsoil dual remote bypass oil filter set YES+++++
ISSPRO IGT and boost in a pillar YES+++++
Cyberdyne trans & oil temp in overhead YES+++++
Magcharger flashlight YES+++++
Motorola 3watt cell phone booster YES+++++
Motorola 2way YES+++++
Access bed cover YES+++++++++++++++
ALL Mobile synthetic everything YES+++++
AM General 2003 Navistar long block YES++++++
GM 1999 factory block NOOOOOOOOO!
That pretty much does it. I've got so much sunk into this truck that I'll have it forever so I'm real lucky that I like it! :D
After reading another post I realized that I forgot my brakes.
Powerstop Cross drilled rotors Yes+++
EMS Pads Yes+
Stainless lines Yes+++++
EMS Ultrablue fluid Yes++++

L8r
Conley Janssen
USMC 87-93

[ 02-26-2005, 03:26 AM: Message edited by: Dvldog 8793 ]

[ace58]

I think the intercooler is the most beneficial upgrade simply because of the effects of lower intake temperatures, but the gauges, exhaust, non-waste gated turbo, and injectors can't be discounted either

[eracers999]

Kennedy Splayed Mains A+
17:5 compression A+
98 cooling A+
98 oiling A+
Home Made FSD cooler A+
Home made 6ft harness A+
Timing gear set A+
In house 4 in exhaust A+
Engine balancing A+
Kennedy e prom A+
ARP studs and bolts A+
Porting and blending upper and lower intake manifolds A+
Releiving exh housing A+
K&N air filter C
Filter minder A+
Calico Coatings (piston) A+
Modified stock fan clutch A+
Doing buis with Avant F
Guages/ absolute must
Linear pot boost controller A+
Davco 382 fuel processor A+
Eliminating stock fuel filter A+
ATK transmission A+
Coolant temp sensor cut out switch A+
Fast idle switch A+
Diamond pre cups A+
Amsoil synthetics A+
To name a few..

[ 02-26-2005, 08:59 PM: Message edited by: Kent ]

[DA BIG ONE]

All my mods are great, but best overall is

from 4.10:1 to 3.42:1 diffs front and back,

then its the ARB locker up front, as big as this burb is the locker lets it go where few others can, a plus here is that I now have an on board air compressor that can fill any of my tires within a few minutes, or air up from lower pressures in less time.

Next project when electronic IP fails, is to try to modify my Burb for fording&gt; I am sure this will be a daunting task indeed.

[Peter J. Bierman]

Not a 6.5 yet but anyway,

19:1 compression: still too high
Twin turbo set up: AAAAAAA+
twin intercoolers: AAA
Peninsular 300 HP DB2: AAAAA+
Custom made exhaust: B-
Bigger radiator: AA
Big oil cooler: AA
8 blade aluminum 21" fan: AA
All the gauges: cant do without
upshift / downshift on gear selector: AA
New wheels and 33"tires: AA
Air conditioning: cant do without ( anymore )
A zilion other small mods: some AAA some ZZZ

Coming up:

Diesel depot cam shaft
4L80E transmission
PCS TCU
ported 6.5 heads
Maybe an 6.5 shortblock so I can be on this forum legaly :D

Peter

[ 02-26-2005, 07:10 AM: Message edited by: Peter J. Bierman ]

[dieseldummy]

Homemade Intercooler: A+++++
Holset HY-35 Turbo: A++++
Diesel Depot Cam: C
3.5" exhaust Downpipe to tailpipe: A+++
Torq-loc: A++
D-max 21" fan blade: A+++
Modified stock fan clutch: F
High Output water pump: A+
18:1 engine(while I had one): A
21:1 engine(the one I have now): A
Crank on torsion bars: A+
N/A 6.2 injectors: A
Seems like intercooler is at the top of most everyones list

[damork]

DSG Cam Drive Gears: Yes+++++
BD Race Chip: Yes+++++
Lift pump relay: Yes+++
VDO Vision Gauges: Yes+++
Beta FSD Cooler: Yes
Relocated FSD Cooler By DS Battery: Yes++
Rotella Synthetic: Yes
Mobil Delvac Synthetic: Yes+
Bilsteins: Yes+++
Michelins: Yes+++
Snorkle Mods: Yes
Hawk Superduty Brake Pads: Yes+++++
Powerslot Rotors: Yes+++++
Tru Flo Tranny Cooler: Yes+++
Jardine downpipe: Yes+

[Barry Nave]

Bought truck in 98. Went through all the problem with the DS4 and woundered what I got myself into with my first diesel :eek:
Dealer took care of most problems under warrenty, then I wanted to know more smile.gif
#1 Took out muffler, wanted to hear what a turbo diesel sounded like,Cat still inplace and it sounded :cool:
#2 Internet,search under Diesel.
The Diesel Page,HUM sounds CK'ing into.
#3 Do I need to say any more tongue.gif smile.gif ;) :D :cool:

[ 02-27-2005, 02:20 AM: Message edited by: Bnave95 ]