Slow diesels are a thing of the past. More and more of you are finding that the late-model diesels are not only faster and quieter, but have caught up with all the creature comforts of the future, delivering you the ultimate blend of a plush daily driver, ample off-road machine, and tough-as-nails tow horse. If they're so great in stock form, why do so many people want to modify them? Mainly because they are among the few vehicles that you can add your basic old-time upgrades to (intake and exhaust) and throw in a little modern gadgetry (programmers and boxes), then BAM! You've now turned your 7,000-plus-pound truck into a ground-pounding monster with enough torque to tow a house and enough raw horsepower to roll over those monster mudders with ease.
We wanted to see how we could do just that, so we headed down to Loren Taylor's Diesel Tech Performance Center in San Jacinto, California, to install an MBRP 5-inch turbo-back exhaust system and juice up the power with a TS Performance MP-8 Max Power module. Loren and his team of ASE technicians had our '06 Dodge Ram Cummins screaming power in about an hour and showed us performance that you could not only hear, but actually feel. Once we had the fuel stepped up and a place for all that hot air to go, we took a drive to K&N Filters R&D facility to give our common-rail a much needed cool-air intake.
After everything was installed we ran the truck a few times on the dyno to get an idea of what sort of power we were putting to the ground. Although we know that slippage in the torque converter, atmospheric conditions, and the type of dyno used can all affect your numbers, one thing is for certain: More than 350 hp and 660 lb-ft at the rear wheels can really be felt in the driver seat!
The MP-8 module from TS Performance...
The MP-8 module from TS Performance was an easy install and a quick way for us to gain serious horsepower and torque. A small strip of Velcro holds the box down while you plug the MAP and fuel-pressure sensor into the inline harness provided by the manufacturer.
The ability to choose power...
The ability to choose power levels makes this box extremely versatile and easy to use. The module control knob allows you to choose instantly from a broad range of power options. Twisting the control from stock (all the way left) to the highest level (all the way right) was the most noticeable of the power mods and the one that could probably get us in the most trouble. It works by increasing rail pressure to add more fuel, but still remains within the factory pressure limitations, providing you with a consistent means of power.
We decided to run the 5-inch...
We decided to run the 5-inch MBRP turbo-back exhaust system to gain maximum flow and help combat high exhaust gas temperature (EGT) numbers. A new addition to the MBRP exhaust line is its new Powertube. It's designed to increase your vehicle's torque without turning up the noise.
Although the step is not required,...
Although the step is not required, Taylor prefers to weld the exhaust pipes in addition to the clamps. Once the welds were all painted we fired up the 5.9L to hear the new ring. Although the sound is noticeably louder than stock, we think it is the perfect balance of acceleration roar and tolerable high-speed rumble.
The K&N cold-air-intake tube...
The K&N cold-air-intake tube is a crucial part of the system. By attaching directly to the turbo air inlet it allows the engine to pull in cooler air faster. The system will not only allow us to pull a greater volume of air through our engine, but will offer a better defense against dirt particles that may harm your motor and slow the flow.
Other than the massive MBRP...
Other than the massive MBRP 6-inch exhaust tip, our truck still has the looks of a stocker. The plus side of having most of the stock features still intact (tires, gears, suspension, and so on), was the ability to compare fuel economy before and after the mods. With a range of more than 400 miles both in highway and city driving conditions, we noticed an average increase of 3 mpg. This might not seem like much, but as much as we drive this can equal huge savings.
Tech Notes
Monitoring your exhaust gas temperature is extremely important when adding more air and fuel to your diesel. While you are feeling all the power benefits, the increased flow of air and fuel has increased the amount of heat circulating through your engine. Monitoring the EGT allows you to see when turbo temps are getting too high and will allow you to back off or defuel the truck to let the temperatures lower. Just remember gauges are cheap, engine parts are not!