DIY Upgrades

[NickBarrFishing.com]

Hi everyone, just bought a 95 2500 (Info below).

I am on a pretty small budget being a high school senior and all. But I want to know what DO IT YOURSELF Projects I can do. (See wish list below)

>I already have an adjustable, vacuum controlled wastegate. Previous owner hooked up some tubes and a t-bar to be able to control the boost. (I run 12-14 MAX) So should I go through the trouble of getting a turbomaster or making something similar??

>Feed the beast mod, heard that is pretty inexspensive, probably going to do that soon.

>The HO Water Pump, can I just get on RockAuto.com and get a 97+ Water Pump, and a new pump hose and be good? Or do I have to go to SS or Kennedy to get a HO Pump.

>Relocating PMD, where is the best place to get just a PMD and Cable?? I can make my own heat sink. Anybody have a new-in-box PMD laying around they would want to sell?

Thanks for all the help guys, I am just fully diving into diesel mechanics and upgrades/mods, and looking for the high school (BUDGET) way to do it.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[ak diesel driver]

If your vacuum system works like you want it to I'd leave it for now. Yes you can buy the high output wp from any autoparts store. I'd check with Leroy at pmdcable.com for a cable and pmd

 

[NickBarrFishing.com]

Also, another question.

Should I be getting any significant boost when revving it up a bit at idle??

-Nick

 

[JiFaire]

no. You build boost under load.

 

[Veg_Out]

As for the water pump, I'd bag it till you start to leak, at least for now. Before it gets warm and you start dragging about that bass boat, pull your radiator and clean the fins like new. Every last one.

There is a thread on here about modifying your existing fan clutch, and that costs nothing.

I've put together a pretty good deal on Feed the Beast fittings for when you are ready. That will help your fuel pressure during a big pull. I say if your budget is tight, don't upgrade much of anything until that part breaks. PMD is critical, no question.

Good luck, glad to have you on board.

 

[OregonHorseTug]

Just for the record, I pull 12,000 pounds of horse trailer with the stock small water pump and single t-stat with no heating problems. My radiator is spotless clean. I would focus on relocating the PMD. Just make sure you build a good heat sink and get it out in the cool air.

Mike

 

[Odlaw]

x2 or 3 on the water pump. If you're not having cooling problems skip that. If your wastegate system is providing that kind of boost I would also skip that. Wait until the vac pump starts making a racket - then replace that setup with a turbo master - or build your own. I built my own for my old GM-3 but now have a GM-8 w/ turbo master...I can tell you the turbo master is better - very smooth. My old setup would build boost fine but when it did let the wastegate open it was very......rough? like it wouldn't just crack the wastegate ever so slightly it would just build boost and then abruptly dump 4-6psi. - had too short of a linkage and spring.

Unless there is a reason to do the lift pump (other than peace of mind) I wouldn't bother unless you don't know the age of it. You can pick up a pretty good Fuel pressure test set from Harbor Freight for less than $20.00 to test that lift pump.

It's not really a DYI - except for the installation part but the PMD relocate would be my top priority. Sounds like you've got a sweet truck already, with most of the mods already in place.

I would like to see some pix...

Oh, and WELCOME to the site - it's always refreshing (especially in this day and age) to see young folks get involved with tinkering on a vehicle. If you haven't figured it out yet this is by far the best place on the net for 6.5 TD info and support. There are some incredibly knowledgeable folks here (myself NOT included)...and notice I said folks - not guys, because we have THE Missy Goodwrench here and that gal knows her stuff and is always willing to jump right in with in depth, detailed info and tips.



Smitty