I'm new to the diesel world. We pull a 42 foot 5th wheel for our job and im looking for a little bit more power when I need it going across country.. I'm not a Ricky racer type but I do like some power.. I'm looking for a tune that doesn't require me to upgrade everything on my truck. Keep the stock turbo and Just give a little more umph... ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Looking for a little more umph when towing
- Thread starter HaroldWhitten
- Start date
Any of the site sponsors can get you set up here with tuning. Starlite, Danville, Ridgerunner, Kennedy Diesel, Josh @ Top Notch Garage, etc can all get you set up. I personally am running Starlite in my LB7 (built trans/stock injector/stock turbo truck) and couldn't be happier. It gets good economy, has respectable power in all tunes, and is very smooth to drive.
Where you are located and year of the truck may be helpful in finding who is closest or you can get something like an Autocal with tuning on it.
You can easily & safely (for your engine) get 400+ HP at the tires on a LB7 with just a tune (such as [THREAD=42711]this one I wrote and use to this day[/THREAD]).
However, the Allison behind the LB7 was very weak from the factory. You WILL limp your transmission with any meaningful tune. If you are willing to put the money in for a built transmission, you can run a ~400 HP tune quite safely and that will make a big difference in towing. It'll put your 2002 to just slightly more power to the ground than the 2019s for a whole lot less money.
If you aren't willing to spend the $5000+ for the built transmission, then I agree with James: leave it alone. A tune without a built transmission is a ticking time bomb. People sell "trans safe" tunes, but on the LB7, that just means "safe for now, good luck!"
However, the Allison behind the LB7 was very weak from the factory. You WILL limp your transmission with any meaningful tune. If you are willing to put the money in for a built transmission, you can run a ~400 HP tune quite safely and that will make a big difference in towing. It'll put your 2002 to just slightly more power to the ground than the 2019s for a whole lot less money.
If you aren't willing to spend the $5000+ for the built transmission, then I agree with James: leave it alone. A tune without a built transmission is a ticking time bomb. People sell "trans safe" tunes, but on the LB7, that just means "safe for now, good luck!"
From your other thread, fix the injectors first. Bet the truck runs a lot better once that's done. Otherwise, leave it alone or do small things like a CAI or exhaust.
I am on the leave it alone band wagon too. Well, minus the intake and exhaust. Adding those won't hurt anything.
Well, after completing new injectors and lines found reason for coolant loss.. leaking water pump, also my loss in power a hole in my intake pipe .. so now a new pump, pipe, and a harmonic dampener bolt( 1 time use he said).. now my price went from 1,400 ( all labor ) to 3,000 ..He said 620 labor, the rest for parts.. this sounds way too high. I'm pretty pissed I went from 1,400 to 3,000
You need to ask for a detailed list of pets and labor. There’s no way a water pump and coolant tube were $1000. More like $300. A man could make himself a good living if water pumps were a $1600 job...
Dont need the coolant tube. Just use one of the LB7 injector cup orings for the top seal.
Water pump should set you back about $250 at-the-most for an OEM pump and housing, and all needed gaskets come with it.
Doesnt take but one or two hours to do if you're a professional mechanic. (I took 4 --yeah yeah --go ahead and laugh)
Couple gallons of coolant and you're done.
Honestly sounds like this shop is just putting the screws to you and ripping you off.
Water pump should set you back about $250 at-the-most for an OEM pump and housing, and all needed gaskets come with it.
Doesnt take but one or two hours to do if you're a professional mechanic. (I took 4 --yeah yeah --go ahead and laugh)
Couple gallons of coolant and you're done.
Honestly sounds like this shop is just putting the screws to you and ripping you off.
I was originally quoted 1,400 for labor to install new injectors( I bought my own injectors and fuel lines, seal install kit) when he called me yesterday to tell me the other issues I asked him could he give me a break down of the additional charges he did,he said when he told me price for injectors he didn't know it was a California truck with all the smog and emissions on it which meant more labor time but said he already quoted me so he left that price at 1,400..It sure seems like maybe he's making up for it with the additional work he's doing. Unless there's more on the work order when I see it tomorrow... Any SUGGESTIONS on this. I don't know what repair places are allowed to charge for different repairs...Yes I want everything fixed but I don't want to be ripped off or pay to much, and I need my truck back
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You are in it now with both feet , the important thing to remember now, is come to this site first with any new concerns , use search key and after you do your research , ask the wonderful people here !
I completely agree with the both feet in! Welcome to the expensive part of the diesel world haha. But regarding your power question i too own an lb7 and trans limped with a 100hp tune. I would agree that unless you plan to build the transmission you should leave it alone. :thumb: up
He’s not wrong. Sounds like a good guy for helping you out. If you don’t trust him, go down there and have him point out what all is entailed in this job. Most places won’t even let you bring parts in to be installed if you want any kind of shop to stand behind their work.
This!!! The parts is how a shop makes enough money to cover any issues that may come up and gives us leverage to get stuff taken care of when there is an issue with parts. These are very expensive trucks to work on to begin with so pick your battles wisely. If this guy does good work than he is your new best friend!!! We wouldn't have touched it here because of the liability.
swap or mod the intake horn and put a good lift pump on like kennedy or etc cai and exhaust then leave it alone:thumb:
