Turning up power. Pros and cons

Low power = less happy driver
More power = happy driver
The key is to use it properly so fuel doesn't hurt the bottom line

 

All right, a modern day OOOTlaw,,,,mmm, better not. Years ago, you'd throw a bigger "button" in the pump ( or crimp the return fuel line) watch you're pyro, and Viola,, power to pass. Today, just not feasible, and the way DOT is going, you'll probably end up in Alcatraz .

 

Your fuel mileage increase is direct my related to the gearing being better for t he route you were running not t he horsepower.

I boosted my Detroit from 430 to 550 and gained .8 mpg simply because my foot was no longer on the floor. Hills that I would have to drop from 13 to 12 for empty would now climb at speed in cruise.

 

Back when i was younger i got this smart idea to replace my 3.55s with 3.08s. One trip across the Rockies and i was backing her back into the barn to get those rears out.

 

What he said^^^^ plus a few more things. Turning up the engine won't change you cruzin/rpm ratio. You will have to change gear ratio or tire size. To pull a hill at a lower rpm then yes upping hp will do that ie pulling in a higher gear. But more hp =more diligent in paying attention to the gauges. Some times it isn't as simple as just tuning the ecm. That's from a hp junkie!!

 

I learned that the hard way.

Had a 475 Cat that I went to the diesel doctor and turned up to 550HP. Had a long pull through the gorge on I40, 90000 lbs in the bighole, flying uphill and cooked the engine. Rebuild. Cook. Rebuild. Cook. Rebuild. Ran into Bruce Mallinson in Iowa and I talked to him about his 625 program and he wouldnt go past 485 hp my engine because the EGTs would get too hot. The factory turbo was the bottleneck. Instantly, it clicked. I had never thought of it.

Now, it's not whether or not my engine can pull the hill, it's the EGTs that I watch.

 

Here's my question and I mean no disrespect to anyone......

Why are you buying trucks with low HP to begin with? Besides the fact HP don't mean ####.. also if you'e looking for big power should have bought a large car from the get go and put together a glider kit.. instead of some old fleet truck that won't get out of its own way.
Now you want to flash it etc etc...
Here' an idea.. before you "Turn up" the power and melt a piston. Then need another 15grand for a inframe...sell the truck payoff whatever you owe save your 15k find yourself a local dump trailer job making 25% and be stress free and happy...youll thank me later

 

Do you have any idea how many bosses I told that to with no avail? Idiots.

 

Drop a done up 6nz in er with a set of 3.90's put er on low rubber and let er ride.... but like I said to you before sell her save your money.. get a company job

 

Lol because it is a 1993 and came out at that hp. The motor is the last thing that I consider when picking a truck for the job. Hp is insignificant piece of the pie. I wanted a Detroit. You had two choices 430 hp or 470 hp. Don't want a new truck, even a glider.