Diesel Performance FAQ
Frequently Asked Diesel Performance Questions
How much power can my truck handle?
Diesel engines are built pretty stout. With that in mind, they handle basic performance increases with little longevity concerns. There is no standard for how much horsepower & torque your stock internals can support, as it varies greatly by brand, application, and the components you are running. A good rule of thumb is that if you have to ask, your may want to address those concerns. A set of performance head studs is a fairly basic upgrade that allows an internally stock engine get away with a lot more power, since the head bolts are generally a weak link. If your going to be modifying your diesel, we recommend installing a pyrometer and boost gauge so that you can monitor exhaust gas temperatures and turbo boost. Both of these can wreck havoc on an engine if they get out of control, so always knowing them is a good peace of mind. Before you ever have to address the strength of your engine, the transmission will need some attention. Stock torque converters, especially, are common points of failures in performance applications. If you are really unsure if your engine can take it, speak with your parts vendor. They should have a good idea as to how much your engine can take in regards to the parts you have installed.
When are high EGTs too high?
We recommend not exceeding 1250 degrees F for more than a couple of seconds on stock engine internals. This number is fairly conservative for some applications, but is a safe rule of thumb. Maintaing excessive EGTs for extended periods can cause the factory turbocharger and pistons to deform/melt (literally). Factory components were not created with excessively high EGTs in mind. That being said, an engine that has been properly built to handle the abuse of high EGTs can get away with 1400+ EGTs for short periods of time (sled pull or drag race, for example). These figures are all pre-turbo measurements.
My EGTs are too high, how do I lower them?
If you are experiencing excessively high EGTs, especially at cruising temperatures, the following modifications are recommended to bring them down to safer levels:
- Free Flowing Exhaust
- Cold Air Intake
- Intercooler Upgrade
- Turbocharger Upgrade
- Water Methanol Injection
I want more power, where should I start?
Most people tend to start with the basic modifications - Cold air intake system, free-flowing exhaust system, and a diesel tuner. These are all great starting modifications that will give you a significant increase in performance.
My modified truck emits black smoke from the tailpipe. Is this a bad sign?
Black smoke, or diesel soot, that is emitted from your exhaust is a sign of a rich air-to-fuel ratio. While running rich will not directly cause harm to your motor, a fuel rich mixture will cause high EGTs, which can cause engine damage. A light haze of smoke is a good sign that your turbocharger is meeting your engines air flow requirements, while excessive smoke is a sign that you do not have enough air flow to match you engines fueling characteristics. Diesel soot is the result of incomplete combustion of diesel fuel. There is physically not enough oxygen available to mix with and burn the available fuel. Therefore, much of the fuel is only partially burned, and exits the tailpipe in the form of soot. Black smoke does not propose an immediate problem to the health of your engine. It does, however, mean that you have the potential to make even more horsepower/torque if you increase your engines airflow to match its fueling.
Will increasing torque output allow me to tow more weight?
No engine modification will increase your towing capacity, and your vehicles GVWR should never be exceeded. GVWRs are determined by manufacturers based on the structural integrity of a vehicle. This includes the vehicles frame, suspension, braking capabilities, & drivetrain. Increasing torque output will certaintly allow you to tow easier and achieve improved fuel efficiency while towing, but will not increase the amount of weight you can safely tow.