At what point do mods become unreliable?

PsRumors · Dec 21, 2012

I've had my truck now for three years and have been slowly getting all the basics in place for more RELIABLE power. I've taken my time and tried to do every step and install as correct / clean as possible so as to not have problems down the road.

My next step is oil, injectors and a tune all of which I hope to do in January. We plan to start pulling a camper in the spring and I want to keep the truck reliable.

So what has everyone found to be the tipping point for reliability? At what point did everyone go from being able to hop in and drive to having to constantly tinker?

I am thinking a 160/30 injector, 17 degree hop and tune should keep me safely in the realm of reliability but of course if I can do more than by all means I'd rather go bigger.

ryanss22 · Dec 21, 2012

I would go with a 160/80 a 238/100 for inj, just depends how big you want to go. I have run an adrenaline hpop with the 160's and had no issues. Or look into a t500. A drop in D66 from beans, TS style chip. Seems you already have a decent start with what you have already

Bigsexy · Dec 21, 2012

Talk to Matt over at full force hes the man when it comes to reliable power.

David N · Dec 21, 2012

I'd say anything over 500ish horsepower is where things start to get unrealiable.

02BigD · Dec 21, 2012

PsRumors said:
I've had my truck now for three years and have been slowly getting all the basics in place for more RELIABLE power. I've taken my time and tried to do every step and install as correct / clean as possible so as to not have problems down the road.

My next step is oil, injectors and a tune all of which I hope to do in January. We plan to start pulling a camper in the spring and I want to keep the truck reliable.

So what has everyone found to be the tipping point for reliability? At what point did everyone go from being able to hop in and drive to having to constantly tinker?

I am thinking a 160/30 injector, 17 degree hop and tune should keep me safely in the realm of reliability but of course if I can do more than by all means I'd rather go bigger.

How many miles on the motor?

For absolute bang for the buck, no added maintenance, and longevity of the engine, agree 100% with what you have laid out.

IF...you wanted to go to a 38r or modded H2e turbo, then a little set of 200/80 hybrids would be sweet. A good tuner could have that setup for 400 hp with no smoke and never a worry about EGT's in a tow tune. However now you're stressing the engine a little more, with a larger dollar investment.

TERRCO · Dec 21, 2012

Keep it tuned to stay at or under 30psi and it will live a long life.

PsRumors · Dec 21, 2012

Thanks for the input guys. Truck has 127k very easy miles. It has never been worked and oil analysis look great.

I doubt I go with a non stock type turbo at most it would be the D66 but depending on the success of the new WW2 may just stay with the stock turbo.

When I first did my e-fuel I went with the AirDog which performed great but with long trips planned I revised the system to a SD pump and Napa filters for ease of availability.

Tom S · Dec 21, 2012

If you do quality work/installation with your plans I think you are fine. I would not rule out stock nozzled injectors (stage ones) depending on your power goals.

PsRumors · Dec 21, 2012

No real power goals per se. Just want a truck with more power than where these stock trucks provide. There just doesn't seem to be much price difference between a 160 stock nozzle and a 160/30. Would there be any reason not to go with a 30 nozzle?

TERRCO · Dec 21, 2012

Automatic or standard trans?

PsRumors · Dec 21, 2012

BTS Auto

Tom S · Dec 21, 2012

Well one advantage is with stock nozzles the truck will run just like stock in a stock tune.

PsRumors · Dec 21, 2012

That's a good point Tom. So if something were to happen to my chip it could be removed and the truck run as normal. How bad would a 160/30 injector run without a chip?

Strokersace · Dec 21, 2012

PsRumors said:
That's a good point Tom. So if something were to happen to my chip it could be removed and the truck run as normal. How bad would a 160/30 injector run without a chip?

I've been running 200cc/200% nozzles for several years on stock programming. No chip. It's not perfect but it performs really nicely. A little more lope at idle over stock but not much. Mine are NOT hybrids. They are A codes that Hypermax has stroked out.

Strokersace · Dec 21, 2012

Honestly of you want reliable power and tow, I'd go with a 160cc stage 1 with either a stock nozzle or maybe a 30%. It won't be too much for your d66 and will run great.

My 1st ever performance setup on an obs was stage 1s, i/c, bts, exhaust, intake, chip, with everything else stock. It was a pulling machine and outside of glow plugs I was never in the motor. Ran that setup for 150k or more miles.

Then on a different obs, I ran the bug stage 2s, with larger oil and turbo, fuel system, chip, etc etc. I've had injectors out a couple of times, installed headstuds, valve springs, pushrods, etc just to make it "reliable". It runs great, has more power, and tows better than the 1st setup... But its a lot more hands on for me at least.

dentexpowerstroke · Dec 21, 2012

TERRCO said:
Keep it tuned to stay at or under 30psi and it will live a long life.

What does keeping it under 30psi have to do with keeping it alive?

Buffalo444 · Dec 21, 2012

dentexpowerstroke said:
What does keeping it under 30psi have to do with keeping it alive?

Valvetrain wear one would assume.

sent from the rust monster

dentexpowerstroke · Dec 21, 2012

That would be the first time I have ever heard anyone say about boost. Never seen boost kill a motor. Yes, 30 psi will kill a stock turbo but i don't see it being detrimental in any way to a properly supported motor. If you have supporting mods I don't see any reason at all why 30psi or more would kill a motor, it won't.