Need some help with getting ready for pulling heavy loads

i ran that much and some on a similar hp detroit with a 9 sp in my freight liner. it will get the job done if your not worried about being the first to the top of a hill. might need to upgrade the cooling system i had some trouble keeping coolant temps down pulling long grades in hot weather. it was manageable with a new larger radiator and air to air. but on a 100 deg day sometimes you would still have to back out of it a bit and turn the ac off on a real long hard pull. i never did up the hp on mine it got the job done as is. i wanted to put a pyro in it before even considering bumping the hp and i never put a pyro in it. now i bought another truck better speced for the work i do.

 

It should not be that hard to have the motor turned up to give you more horsepower. In 1996 I got a brand new Pete with a 3406E that was set at 355 horse and after 6 months or so we had it turned up to 475 with no hardware modifications. I know an owner operator with a 430 detroit that just had it overhauled and after the break in period he is going to have it turned up to 500 just by having the dealership rework the software. You might even see some improvement in fuel milage because the motor wont be straining as much.

 

If it were me I'd upgrade the turbo and just do a mild ECM tune. If you keep it simple you shouldn't have to worry about getting it hot. I have a 10 speed and a 12.7 set at 500 with a Borg Warner non-wastegated turbo and I run 85-90000 pretty regular with a cow trailer. I'm not the first one there but I'm putting more in the bank.

 

I second this. Adding those power boxes is going to make you run hotter EGTs when youre pulling long grades. Those higher EGT (exhaust gas temps) will cook your motor. The larger turbo has bigger exhaust ports and will allow you to run more boost without adding to the EGTs. Get a digital pyrometer while you're at it.

 

scangauge will only read it if there is a factory sensor. There will probably be boost, but may not be pyro.

Might want to check the torque rating of your transmission before turning up the engine. For example, my rockwell/meritor can only handle 1550 torque in the top 2 gears

 

Tranny will get load moving without putting a lot of pressure on motor/rears. The go increase will make life easier for the engine and reduce egt and coolant temps. The best way to keep your truck running smooth is check for larger radiator and air cooler,then it will all work together.

 

I use to run a 2000 Kenworth T800 pulling tri-axle trailers grossing 102-112000 daily. Had the 12.7 set at 430hp 10spd and 4.33's in the rears and it was a solid little work horse. The 4.33's made all the difference keeping it in the powerband and still got 6mpg.