Exhaust or Programmer

[Schrage]

Help me out! Should I go with exhaust first or a programmer, I want to end up doing both but didn't know if I should do you before the other. And whatever you suggest please let me know which exhaust or programmer you like.
Thanks

[jwheatley20]

People will mention that you should get an exhaust first due to EGT's. I personally, did the programmer first. I went with SCT xcal 2. It's out of date now. Get the SCT Xcal3 with tunes from either Innovative Diesel, or Elite Diesel or Spartan DashDaq and you will blow ur tires off safely. As for the exhaust, I got one about a year after the programmer. I have the Banks 4" turbo back, and I deleted the muffler and cat. Sounds wicked. A friend of mine is running a Bullydog(dont recommend) with factory exhaust but straight piped. He hasnt had any problems either.

[smokersteve]

If you get exhaust there are delete pipes for ~$100 total. That is a VERY good deal. The effect of deleting the muff and cat is major, which will help your truck alot. stock pipes are 3" for the down pipe and 3.5" to the back. There are many 4" turbo back systems that are the $300 plus and it is meant for higher HP.

[gtnit]

Maybe you could afford to get the tuner and just a few extra bucks to delete the stock muffler. could be as less than $30 if you got some flex pipe and a couple of clamps. Then just gut the kitty and that wont cost you a thing. I did this on my truck and it sounds great. you get a straight pipe on the stock set up. I didnt use flex pipe but orderd a delete pipe for the muffler about $78 bucks shipped, but i know some have just used the flex pipe from NAPA and it works fine. i will order the 3.5" down pipe in the future and personally i think that will lower egt's just as much as a 4" system but a whole lot less $$

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

get the tuner first.. but.... i suggest you run gauges first if you dont have them already..... this is the tuner i suggest for your truck: SCT X3 Custom Innovative Diesel Tunning

let me know if you have any questions

-Raul

[DSTRBD]

I suggest starting with an exhaust to help the truck breathe better. For best results, you will want to go with a 4" turbo back kit. After that, an SCT programmer is the way to go.

[mdub707]

I started with an SCT x-cal 2 on my truck with 100% bone stock exhaust, muffler and cat in place. I didn't use gauges either for probably a year. You just have to be smart with the truck, obviously dont tow 10k lbs on your race tune... just not smart. I found after I finally got my gauges that I was way conservative with the truck, it took it a lot longer and a lot more to get it in the danger zone than I thought.

The muffler delete and cat delete are worth it, and can be had for under $100. I'd get those, then buy a used x-cal2 or 3 here on the boards and then just order a couple custom tunes, you can easily have all this done to your truck for less than $500... EASILY. Still have money left over to fill your tank and buy some beer.

[roush17]

I ran a tuner for the past year prior to getting a 4" turbo back with no cat. Did however get a pyrometer installed right away though. If you run a performance tune and like to play you gotta pay attention to those EGT's or you could get urself up the creek. Once the 4" went in I did a Zoodad mod and find my EGT's dropped drastically and can "play" a little more without great stress.

[Lbs]

I'd suggest it in this order.

-exhaust
-gauges
-tuner

[Schrage]

I am going to go with exhaust then a tuner and gauges. Now to find a good deal on an exhaust and get it coming! Any thoughts wether to 4" or 5", I am thinking 4" turbo back delete the cat.