| The maximum power
gains we've seen to date is an extra 190 whp (wheel horsepower) at
2900 rpm and an extra 580 pound-feet of torque at 1700 rpm. The only
power upgrade was our plug-in computer, no wires to cut or Scotchlock.
These numbers were obtained with the stock turbo (added a boost elbow
to turn boost up to about 40 psi to help reduce exhaust gas temperature),
stock exhaust, and stock air filter (enlarged the opening into the
air filter box). We also had to install an aftermarket clutch as the
stock clutch gave up at about 800 lb-ft. A pusher fuel pump was added
in series with the stock lift pump when we went above 120 extra wheel
horsepower as engine would miss without it. We
are advancing timing and extending the open time in the injector
solenoid on the main injection pulse. We do not extend the pilot
pulse and do NOT increase fuel rail pressure, which has been shown
to damage the high pressure rail components. Most competitive computers
currently turn up rail pressure and they are very limited to power
and torque increases before reaching the rail pressure relief valve
limit.
The PowerMaxCR
has 10 power levels @ 2900 rpm and 10 torque levels @ 1600 rpm that
are adjustable under power on the fly. Setting the power level and
the torque level on zero turns truck power back to stock. Power
level #1 advances timing only for good fuel mileage, reduced exhaust
temperature, and adds about 30 wheel horsepower but does not add
extra fuel. Power levels 2 thru 9 add increasing amounts of fuel
and 20 horsepower per step at 2900 rpm. Each torque setting step
adds 60 additional foot pounds of torque at 1600 rpm.
We offer the
PowerMaxCR computer with digital boost and pyro built in such that
maximum exhaust temperature can be user selected. The PowerMaxCR
is also offered without gauges for those who wish to use analog
gauges. The unit without gauges retails for $800 and the unit with
built in gauges retails at $935.
Towing with
the PowerMaxCR will be limited to about 650 to 700 pound-feet of
torque (level 3 or 4 on the torque setting) for stock automatics.
TST recommends a heavy duty input shaft, a valve body change, and
a strong torque converter to take that torque on up to 1000 pound-feet
to use the full torque of the PMCR. Stock manual clutches are limited
to about 800 pound-feet of torque (level 4- 6 on the torque setting).
Clutches are available that permits using the full torque available
from the PMCR.
Exhaust temperatures
will limit towing total wheel horsepower to about 340 to 360 wheel
horsepower (power levels settings 3 to 6). Larger turbos are the
only thing we have found to reduce exhaust temperatures such that
more towing power can be used (maybe 20 to 40 more horsepower),
but larger turbos typically have surge problems at lower engine
speeds and high altitudes loosing some of the gains. Twin series
turbos are the only setup that keeps exhaust temperatures safe with
the PMCR on its top setting, however these are expensive and would
typically require studding of the head to keep head gaskets from
leaking.
Advancing timing
with power level 1 or above should improve fuel mileage 5 to 10
% if the driver can resist the temptation to use lots of power.
Don’t be misled by the in-cab mpg meter in that it does not
know about the extra fuel we add thus it shows really big improvements
in mileage.
Early PowerMaxCR’s
would set OBD2 codes in some case on some trucks but the newer units
appear to have solved most of the code issues.
The earlier
PowerMax computers for '98 to '02 Rams diesels will not work on
the '03 and later engines.
For installation
we Velcro the PowerMaxCR computer to the lid of the Fuse & Relay
Center underhood. There are three injector plugins to be made on
the driver side of the valve cover, a MAP sensor plugin, a camshaft
sensor plugin, a crankshaft sensor plugin, two 12 volt connections
inside the Fuse & Relay Center, and a ground connection. The
wired remote control plugs in to the PowerMaxCR computer and that
wire is routed inside the cab. There are no wires to cut or splice.
These units
work on the new 04.5/05 Ram 325 hp/600 torque and they appear to
work very well. The wastegate setup is different with the 325/600
engine and it takes a few more minutes to connect than with the
03 and 04 engine.
Our PowerMax
and PowerMaxCR units have a 2-year warranty.
TST's PowerMax
and PowerMaxCR computers are proudly made in the USA |
