More power from my Cummins???

[Don Fairchild]

John and Roy, you are comparing two different engine platforms and fuel systems, yes you can turn up the VP44 pump but it is still a rotary pump, you don't get a CP3 high pressure common rail system like the 6.7 or 6.6 gm until 03 model year . If you want a high power small cummins you are going back to a 12 Valve head and inline pump but that's not what was asked for.

There are hop up kits out there but for the dodge/ cummins truck not a bus so you will have to adapt some thing to your application. Give us the CPL # and serial # from the engine and I will point you to someone that can help you.

These guys that are racing these small cummins engines are not leaving them 5.9 as Clifford said they are boring and stroking them and adding two or three turbo,s, 12 Valve heads, inline pumps, high flow injectors and other things to get where they want to go but you are not running that as a daily driver.

AZDIESELMAN I went down and got the maintenance and overhaul certs. I have some Allison Doc training but not the cert as of yet, that's next.

Don

[luvrbus]

You can hp from anything with enough dollars here in Valley we have a guy running 1250 hp Duramax in a GMC with a Allison lol Don's Duramax is not bad either  one would be amazed how much HP the 284 CI 4-71 Detroit can produce

[TomC]

Just remember-many engine manufacturers rate engine life by how much fuel has flown through it. So while a 5.9 may be able to get 500hp out of it-I doubt it would last 50,000mi before blowing. A Cummins ISM at 500hp and 1550lb/ft would probably go at least 500,000mi before over haul. While a Cummins ISX 15 liter at 500hp and 1550lb/ft torque would probably go close to 1.2 million miles before overhaul. This is why Detroit makes the DD13 with 470hp and 1650lb/ft torque rated at around 800,000mi life. While the DD15 at the same power a 1.3 million motor. Good Luck, TomC

[Newbob]

If that engine is electronic with a botch vp44 pump I wouldn't see why a power puck or edge ez wouldn't work on it.  They just plug into map sensor and pump not obd port so I would think it would work on an industrial motor.  They add something like 90 hp and 180 ft/lbs torque and the last power puck I installed was around $250 shipped.  Just look them up for a 2002 dodge ram cummins and look at some pics to c if the plugs look like they will work.  Also make sure u have a few psi of fuel pressure comming to the injector pump via a lift pump those vp44 won't last long if lift pump fails.  The ram trucks also respond well to boost elbows installed on the turbo waste gate line to up the boost a bit and to lower egts with the added fuel.  Like mentioned above wouldn't b a bad idea to install an egt gauge if doing any mods especially in a heavy bus

So, Does anyone have experience with this? I really don't know the difference between a 5.9 in a dodge pickup and the 5.9 in the Bluebird. - Keep in mind, I'm not looking to do tractor pulls with this - just get a little more pulling power up the hills. The bus will probably be lighter than stock by a couple hundred pounds so I don't think it should be such a dog - but what do I know.......

Thanks again :-)

[opus]

Shooting from the hip here, that should have the Bosch injector pump.  If I recall right, there were a lot of issues with them.  2002 gave everyone with a 5.9 a 545 transmission.  Thats your weak link right there.  You arent going to make any improvements.  The way its setup right now, its pretty bomb proof.  If you are going up and down a lot, you are going to have to pay attention with your gear selection.  If you are going downhill, its going to be a freewheeling ride due to a non-locking converter.

Son-in-law just replaced his pistons due to having a chipped engine.  Heat is going to be the downfall there.  He knew this and had paid careful attention to his pyro, but it melted 3 pistons regardless.  Also, the 545 generates a ton of heat in stock config let alone with more HP coming into it.

Not my call but I would highly advise against doing anything to the powertrain.  My thoughts; sit back and enjoy the scenery.

[Newbob]

Yeah Opus, if that's the case I'm just going to have to take it easy. I guess I was just looking for a fast solution if it didn't cost too much.

One other thought. Where is the power curve on these - if it's this much of a dog would it be worthless to try to put a hitch on and pull a vehicle or trailer?? or would it not matter much due to good low-end torque?

Thanks for the info