Fresh in frame, firing her up at Rawze's for 1st time!

Thanks Red. I do the same, TA at midnight or in the early morning on Sunday. Ann Arbor MI store, they are rarely busy during those hours, have the entire shop to myself. And they allow me to help and get in the pit to inspect, I’m a long time customer.

 

Same here, I essentially followed Cummins QuickServe, which is free on the internet, all you need is your engine identification number. And of course Rawze’s videos, which are also FREE. This is not rocket science, I’ve never rebuilt anything like this, not even a lawn mower motor. If I can do it properly, why can’t a mechanic with 20+ years under his belt?

 

Not always, Haggai Automotive and Diesel here in Griffin GA has them lined up too, BUT! Jerry, the owner, has trained his mechanics to do these in frames by the book. I was there yesterday, and watched one of the guys do a lower end. Parts were cleaned, area was clean, Ultra Slick was used, mechanic’s hands were even clean and he was wearing latex gloves to boot. Not all shops are the same, but good shops are hard to find. They had 15 trucks in the lot waiting for in frames and lower end work. Folks come from everywhere to have Jerry, Mr Hagg, work on their trucks. That is exactly where mine was headed, but Rawze called me just as I was calling Mr Hagg. Honest.

 

Spot on! I won’t bore you, had work done at another shop down here, tires and brakes, that is all they do. Guess where I was yesterday? At Mr Hagg’s shop having Tyler fix the repairs. Today, this is normal.

 

Ok

 

Well, I'm HOME!

Truck made it, no issues, motor is TIGHT! Knock on wood, as I did the work. If it blows up, it is on my dime, as I did the wrenching.

Going down to Atlanta bob tail, 7 mpg. Coming back with fresh in frame, 11.4 mpg. This was on the computer in the truck and has no basis in reality when everything is put to pen and paper. But, I can say it took 1/2 a tank of fuel to get there, and on the way back, less than a 1/4 of a tank, I hold 180 gallons.

Truck has 3:42 gearing, I was thinking of swapping those out, but not now. I have an 18 speed, so I ran her up here to the house in low 9, or low 18, 17 and a half gear. Whatever... 1650 rpm the entire way, that was my speedometer, by foot, no cruise. Going off the computer, she was making money for me as she was sipping fuel. Much of this had to do with the programming Rawze installed prior to me leaving. He can tune a motor like no one can. This is his economy tune, same one he runs in his truck.

Power? I have a 600hp factory motor. I had him set it up as a 450hp 1650 torque unit...

Some back story... I took the truck in to a local Atlanta tire shop for tires and to install new brake chambers, slack adjuster and brake lines. The manager took her out for a test drive, and said he had never driven a truck with this much horse power? I was like seriously? He was thinking this was a true 600hp motor, but I did not have the heart to tell him It is set to 450hp. Yes, it is that responsive and good.

Like I said, it is a Rawze tune. You want nasty, you all need to try the 650hp competition tune, the one that "does not" smoke tires. I can send it to you.

Like I said, this baby is tight, and incredibly responsive with the new turbo, which is another story. Atlanta Speedway outfit, I sent mine in, and received this beast back. Here is a photo... Turbo Porn....



This turbo just screams, you do not hear her, but you sure can feel her in your pants.

I hated to install this turbo on my motor, I wanted to bring her home and put her on the coffee table! She is one sexy piece.

So, I was close to the house, M-14 near Ford Rd, Ann Arbor... Traffic was backing up in the right lane, so I snapped her into high 9, 18th... I was cruising at around 1700 rpm at roughly 67 mph... I had no clue my truck could hit 90 mph at 1800 rpm? She took off like a RAPED APE! There is a Mercedes and a Blue Water Trucking driver wondering what the hell passed them! LOL!

This motor and turbo just SNAP! Just touch the pedal and off to the races. I asked Rawze to do that, make her "snappy", and he did. This thing is just nuts. Any more than 450hp and I will get into some serious trouble. I would love to install that 650hp competition tune on this for a day, but am afraid of the damage it would do to the drive line. Seriously. What I have is stronger than this motor was from the factory at 600hp, I truly believe that. I bet if we put this on a dyno I am getting close to 500hp to the ground. I'll know more when I get a trailer hooked up. I know Rawze, and I would bet I am correct.

Here is where the turbo came from... YTS Turbochargers LLC, Griffin GA, Look them up, they are around the corner from Haggai Automotive and Diesel, Mr Hagg swears by them. These guys know what the hell they are doing so far, the test will be in a year or two. But, for $1600 I am not complaining. This is not in the same league as the Cummins reman turbo it replaced, not even close. She is a "snapper", and don't stick your finger in her.