Ok the truck I'm looking at is a 2002 Ram 3500 4x4 w/ 55k on it. I'm making a list of goodies and was wondering if it would be worth putting one of these on? I'm starting with a 5" turbo back exhaust, BHAF, and a programmer (not sure which brand yet, still reading all the posts in here), and some gauges. The old man that owned this truck already installed a boost and fuel pressure gauges, but I think they are as old as he was. I want to upgrade to some nice Autometer ones. I eventually want to upgrade the intercooler as well. The truck is going to be a daily driver and I don't tow anything (yet). I have gotten hooked reading all the posts and watching the vids. I love the sound of a Cummins w/ big exhaust. I can't believe how much power these things can make. OH, one more question, since the truck only has 55k on it, how long till I need to change out the weak vp44 and lift pump? I like how helpful everyone on this board is and hope you guys can give me some good sound advise. I'm subscribing to this thread. Thank you all in advance.

the vp44 can be built to be alot stronger and i would get a fass or air dog system programer if u want max power and it comes with a monitor the quadzilla adreline 180hp and 420ftlbs of torque gain

as long as the fuel pressure is still good the vp44 should be fine. but I myself don't trust the lift pumps as 3 went through my truck in 6 months. They would just work now and then. A friend of mine is on #3 as his 2nd only lasted 9 months.(I have a fuel pressure guage for him now. one vp44 and 2 lift pumps chaged) I have a holley blue but I hear airtex makes a good pump and you wont need to regulate it. I would still say get a bigline kit and get the pump off the motor. What tranny do you have? I have heard the air intakes don't really add anything. The one I heard the guy tested was a banks.

and as moparman would say add some 2stroke oil to keep the vp44 alive

Cool thanks, how bout the intake manifold?

from what I have heard the intakes just look good and don't add any hp. some say they dynoed it at a loss. have heard it will cool down the egts some too... but I don't know. what trans you runnin? auto needs some mods to handle power, stick needs a good clutch

i have heard from local shops that the intake manifolds are more for looks than anything else as well

They look like they would flow better than the square boxy stock one, but you guys would know better then me. I guess I will put my money towards something else.

yeah I thought the same thing too. I guess the ones that need the air intake are the 3rd gen's from what I have read. You can always add one later after you get everything else going

i agree with 01quadcab on everything he has said i had a buddy that had an 01 with vp44 and a fass system he upgraded the clutch 200hp inecotrs a few boxes stacked and i dont know whatelse he had done but was hittin 1200ftlbs at the rear wheals and 500hp or more he had he dyno to prove it

as long as the fuel pressure is still good the vp44 should be fine. but I myself don't trust the lift pumps as 3 went through my truck in 6 months. They would just work now and then. A friend of mine is on #3 as his 2nd only lasted 9 months.(I have a fuel pressure guage for him now. one vp44 and 2 lift pumps chaged) I have a holley blue but I hear airtex makes a good pump and you wont need to regulate it. I would still say get a bigline kit and get the pump off the motor. What tranny do you have? I have heard the air intakes don't really add anything. The one I heard the guy tested was a banks.

01quadcab, The truck is an auto. What kind of fuel pressure should I be seeing? The truck has a 30# boost gauge and a cheezy fuel pressure gauge. I did notice that it will bury the boost guage. I don't remember what kind of fuel pressure the truck has. I'm going to be getting some type of guage pod to mount my new Autometers in a tasteful way.

01quadcab, The truck is an auto. What kind of fuel pressure should I be seeing? The truck has a 30# boost gauge and a cheezy fuel pressure gauge. I did notice that it will bury the boost guage. I don't remember what kind of fuel pressure the truck has. I'm going to be getting some type of guage pod to mount my new Autometers in a tasteful way.
Well, since its an auto, you're looking at about $4000 into a transmission before you start modding your truck for big power. It'll give you better ecomony due to less tc and clutch slippage and it can handle the power that you want to throw at it. Some good transmissions to look into are goerend bros., hts, ats, suncoast, etc.
As for your fuel pressure, you should be seeing about 10psi at wot and 12-15 or so at idle. Once that needle goes lower than 10 at wot, you are going to need to invest in a fass, airdog lift pump before it damages your vp44 ip.

i agree with cursedtofirst45 u get low u pressure and that will kill ur vp44 quick and the tranny is a major thing stock trannys dont like alot more power than stock build the tanny fully first then build the motor that way u dont have to worry about hurting ur tanny

yeah what they said. Did you get electric fuel pressure guage from autometer? if so did you get the pressure fitting to save the sender from over pressure they say causes damage to them on start up according to autometer. You could add an edge ez to your now and gain some power etc. Your tranny should be able to hold that for quite a while, just keep it serviced and add a deep pan to it the more fluid the better... did you get and tranny guage too? I like my auto but I really want a 5 or 6 spd for towing. Horse hauling up and down the hills around here is hard on mine and I want a exhaust brake..

i agree with 01quadcab anything kinda power gain as long as under 90 or 100hp u should be fine plus if u get the deep pan now and put it on that is one less thing u have to get done the road when u build the tranny i cant blame u 01quad cab for wanting a manual and exhaust brake when u are driving in the hills hard on auto and brakes

I haven't bought any gauges yet, I like the Autometers and will buy them when the time comes. I planned on the deep tranny pan. As far as the fuel pumps. What pumps or lift pumps should I be looking at. I don't to kill the vp44 prematurely. I have read that they aren't the best pump in the world. I'm not looking at setting the world on fire with my new truck. just want to add some power to the stock truck. I pull a racecar every once in a while, but the stock power isn't going to cut it.

I really appreciate all your advise. This site is awesome!!!!

01quadcab is got a holley blue and usin a lil 2stroke to keep his alive a fass or air dog system would work to i would get a big fuel line kit too to make sure it is getttin its fuel then go with the edge ez and get a deep tranny pan like we said u will notice a difference from just that

no problem glad could help and glad u like the site

Fuel Pump: FASS or Airdog
Transmission: Suncoast


If you like Digital Gauges get the new Quadzilla Adrenaline.

i agree about the fass or airdog tranny i would go with ats and the adreline will be a good thing once he gets his tanny built til the power needs to stay lower and he is gettin autometer gauages

Ok let me throw this at you guys. Tonight I talked with my friend that works for Cummins and he told me that I would be ok if I bought a BD valvebody, deep pan and a BD torque converter. I DID say that I would have to be sensible about putting power to it. I was thinking of going for a 150hp increase. I mean all of this will be an ongoing process. I wish I had the cash to do it right off the bat but I think I will learn a lot more doing it slowly. Trust me when I tell you guys that I am VERY new to diesels. I have been hooked on this site as soon as I found it. I love watching the video section. These things can be made sick. I come from building Camaros for a long time and i just put my long time collected SS Camaro. I hate to sell it but I need, well I want, a truck. All my friends have various brands of diesels and I have picked a Dodge. I know they all have their problems, but something about a Cummins I like, plus my buddy works for them. I also was reading about the electric fans that eliminate the clutch fan, any good? Again guys, you all have been very helpful and very friendly to a newbie and it is greatly appreciated.

yes the electric fans a great idea the whole bd trannys parts are fine as long as u stay 150hp to 200hp range the adreline we have been taking me and diesel dawg will increase ur power 180hp and 420ft-lbs and those gains are at the rear wheels your welcome glad we could help

I have been reading up on the FASS and Airdog fuel systems. Which FASS would you guys suggest? I only saw 1 Airdog system, the PF100. They both are around the same price (FASS 95 series), I was just wondering if anyone had a preference. I'm making my list of goodies that I will need. What would you guys suggest I do first? I making the list in order and it goes as follows

1) exhaust- 5" turbo back- haven't chosen brand yet
2) BHAF- got the list of filters from here
3) Smarty or Adreline- not sure which one yet
4) FASS or Airdog
5) BD or other valve body, torque converter and deep trans pan
6) Intake manifold

Let me know if I should change the order of any of these or any other suggestions. Thanks guys.

I found a good deal on the exhaust when I did one for a friend from summit. Go with the Adrenaline and keep power low till you have the tranny done then you will not need guages as they are built in with the system.. doing this saves money and some time.But put the fuel system first then go from there.

I found a good deal on the exhaust when I did one for a friend from summit. Go with the Adrenaline and keep power low till you have the tranny done then you will not need guages as they are built in with the system.. doing this saves money and some time.But put the fuel system first then go from there.

Which FASS series should I go with?

a Fass 95 series is fine for the upgrades u have planned and i agree 01quadcab the areline comes with the gauages save tiem and money there once the tranny is built u will beable to turn the sdreline up then and u can stack the smarty with the adreline

Cool, I will put the FASS 95 at the top of the list. I will keep everyone informed on my progress.

sounds good hope everything works out good for u

make sure to check with venders on the site too they usually have the best deals. the 95 should do the job

i agree with 01quadcab they usually annouces deals on stuff

DAMN INSURANCE COMPANIES!!!!!! Ok I sold my Camaro. I call my insurance co. and get the quote for the 2002 3500 and they told me $496 a month for insurance, I said WHAT!?!?!, so I get a quote for the other truck I was looking at, which is a 2002 F250. I got a quote of $218 a month, WTF? I could understand if I was originally looking at a S10 and decided on the Dodge, but damn these are similar trucks. I really wanted the Dodge, but there's now way I'm going to pay over double for insurance. I would switch to another company, but I have already have a policy with them. I think this is absolutely crazy!!!! I can't believe that there would be that difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton. Sorry guys, I don't think I will joining the Dodge forum unless all the planets line up and the insurance people pull their heads out of their, well you get the picture.

It all has to with weight etc. the 3500 rated to tow more have pos of towing more and that can cause more issues. did you try getting a quote on a 2500 dodge. dodges may be higher due to theft in your area or something. I know for 6 months for my truck here with an 07 accord and a horse trailer it's 765. full coverage on both

that what options are on the truck quad cab or not 3/4 or one ton dually or not alot of things contribute to it sounds a lil high still could be like 01quadcab said that the theft rate is high for dodges around ur area

Never hurts to shop around on insurance.

very true but usual if u stick with the same insurance they give u a break when u gwet a newer vechicle

There's still hope guys. I didn't buy the Ford as it had a uniside put on it and the paint work was crappy. This color is a tri-stage and it was starting to fade in spots. I only had seen the truck from the internet. The Dodge that they had was in perfect shape, but the ins thing held me back. I'm still looking for a Dodge. I missed a awesome 02 2500 4x4 w/ 60k on it by one day. I will find one, I know they are out there.

yes they are how much u lookin to spend my buddy has his 05 cummins for sale 25000 for it

I found a couple of 04's for around 20k

hi is an 05 for 25k it has 7inch stacks a bully dog power pup and moto metal rims he is a member on here his name is cumminsrock

I'm going to look at an 04 2500 w/ 70k on it. It's one of those Texas Ranch editions. The truck is real clean. Ok, since I'm not getting a 24 valve w/ the infamous vp44 should I get the exhaust, bhaf or Smarty first? I'm really glad I didn't buy the Ford, I just like the Cummins better and my buddy works for them. I can't wait to start doin some modding. I will keep asking you guys questions and I will keep you guys informed. Thanks for all the advise.

smarty first ok sounds good need any help let me know and your welcome

Well I GOT IT!!!!!! I bought an 03 2500 Quad Cab w/ 50k on it. The original owner already put an Air Raid air box on it and a cat delete pipe. I was wondering what tranny this truck would have in it?

thats good to here now begins the fun ur gonna figure u want this and that lol i will check i am wantin to same either nv 4500 or nv 5600

Thanks JD, I thought since it had a Common Rail that it should have a 48re trans. How acurate are the mpg comp on the overhead console? It says 14.9 avg. I will post up some pics as soon as I figure out how. I love my new truck. I can't wait to start doing some mods to it. I'm really glad that the original owner put the air box and the cat delete pipe on it, kind of a head start. I still want to put on a 5" turbo back pipes :pimp .

they are real accurate can be by a mile or 2 only true way to find out is fill it up drive it like u normally would then make sure u zero out ur trip meter then when u fill up of next time divide the mileage by the gallons u put in and that will give u ur fuel milage and it accurate i didnt think about 48re it is possible i dont know owners manual will tell u for sure and always good when the owner gets u a head start that was why i was tryin to get u to get my buddies it had stacks air box and a programmer

I hope it does have the better 48re, but if not I remember all the pointers you guys already gave me when I was looking at the 02 3500. I'm saving up for my Smarty and 5" turbo back tubes!!! I need to figure out how to post pics up in here.

my dads overhead is off by 3.5 mpg

i knew they were off but never by how much varies truck to truck but 3.5 sounds pretty dang close just think once u get those parts u will want more and more

i knew they were off but never by how much varies truck to truck but 3.5 sounds pretty dang close just think once u get those parts u will want more and more

I know I will want more. I'm quite suprised how well it runs now. I can't wait to feel it with more power.

u have the bug that is how it starts simple mods then u want to feel it with more power then u want more power why are u surprised how well it runs now they have alot of power stock

how is 3.5 mpg close? when your only getting 12 mpg thats a 1/4 off.

what i meant was i thinking it was 4 miles off so 3.5 was pretty close sorry for the confusion

I'm going to check mine the next time I fill it up.

sounds good then u will know exactly what fuel milage ur gettin