10 Best Cummin Diesel Powered Truck Mods
One of the biggest reasons guys buy the Ram truck is that Cummins diesel motor. There are a ton of great Cummins mods out there to make it even better, so here are 10 of our favorites.
1. Fuel Pin/Power Pin
If you're rocking a 1989-1993 5.9 liter Cummins, swapping out the stock fuel pin can transform your engine. With minimal tools and 2-3 hours of time, you can see gains of 30-40 hp and 90-100 ft-lb of torque while also enjoying a 30% wider power band. Even better, aftermarket pins, like this from BD-Power, run little more than $150.
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2. Modified Injection Pump
For 2nd gen Cummins powered Dodges, replacing your stock diesel pump with a modified aftermarket unit can boost fuel delivery big time. Companies like Scheid Diesel also rebuild your stock pump to flow much better, with new delivery valves and governor springs, as well as enlarged plungers and barrels. Output can be adjusted to meet fuel demands for engines up to 1,600 horsepower!
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3. Tuners/Programmers
All turbocharged diesel engines can unleash gobs of horsepower and torque with an aftermarket tuner. These programmers optimize boost, injection timing, fuel delivery, and other engine calibration parameters for huge gains in power and torque. Even if your goal isn't maximum power, programmers can also optimize fuel efficiency and towing capacity. The best thing about installing a programmable tuner is that it can provide higher power when you need it, like for towing, and bet set back to the stock level for every day use. Click to find out more about the 10 Best Tuners.
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4. Exhaust
Aftermarket exhaust systems are some of the oldest mods in the book, but they work exceptionally well in diesel powered vehicles. Look for a kit that replaces everything from the downpipe to the tailpipe (if legal in your area). Replacing a restrictive factory exhaust with a free flowing aftermarket or custom bent setup is one of the first mods a lot of Cummins owners make. Not only can you get more power, but you'll be able to hear the motor sing.
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5. Injectors
Any Cummins powered ride can benefit from better flowing injectors, to optimize the fuel and air flow in your engine. Factory injectors are often restrictive for a variety of reasons, including economic and emissions related ones, but the right set of aftermarket injectors can help you realize gains in not only power, but fuel economy as well.
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6. Turbochargers
You can do quite a bit with a stock Cummins turbocharger, but you can get a whole lot more boost out of an aftermarket turbocharger. There are tons of different options available out there, from mild to wild, all of them will different compromises of lag vs. maximum boost and air flow over the stock turbos. Before you slap a big turbo on your stock Cummins, consider upgrading the injectors and fuel system first (or at the same time).
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7. Intercoolers
Aftermarket intercoolers are relatively cheap, and they provide a cost effective upgrade, especially if you're modding everything else. Intercooler upgrades help reduce air intake temperatures, lessen heat sink, and allow more flow. This can obviously be invaluable considering how hot these engines can run when hauling a load.
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8. Fuel Plate
The fuel plate, or fuel stop plate in a first generation 12V Cummins can be rather restrictive. Replacing it with an aftermarket unit can allow the stock injection pump to flow fuel at a higher rate. The simple change can have huge results - anywhere from a 30-100 horsepower increase, and it's an inexpensive upgrade to boot.
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9. Water Methanol Injection
Water methanol injection is a popular upgrade because it can significantly boost power, but it also helps to cool the incoming air charge, which reduces exhaust gas temps. The beauty of water methanol injection is you can choose a mixture that best suits your needs. Using a pure water mixture provides max cooling, while a 50/50 mix of water and methanol helps cool and adds power. And in addition to controlling exhaust gas temperatures, it helps maximize fuel economy as well.
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10. J Hook
If you own a 2001-2002 model year with the 24V Cummins, upgrading your J hook is a cheap and easy way to boost power. The J hook uses a spring connected to the wastegate lever, which controls the max boost pressure at which the wastegate opens. An aftermarket hook will keep the wastegate closed longer, which allows for higher boost pressure.
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For help with other Dodge/Ram truck service information, see the how to section of DodgeForum.com