Hi everyone! First Upgrade?
 

I currently own a 06 dodge 3500 with 102000 i am really new to the cummins world but I'm enjoying reading and learning through everyone's experiences what wud u guys recommend as my first upgrade since my truck is stock except for the muffler and air filter and I do a lot of hauling

Welcome to db :hellox:

Thks

Get a set of Guages and then a tuner!

gauges, and a cat dual filter kit! you made a big investment in that engine, protect it! :c:

What is that

it is a kit you install like a lift pump under the cab with 2 filter blocks tapped into the fuel line that allows you too spin on a 2 micron cat filter, which meets bosch's requirements for your pump/injectors :tu: and a baldwin fd1212 water/air filter, well worth the 235$!

Where do I pick it up any parts store? Do I just ask for a cat kit

alligatorperformance.com is a good place located in CDA, Idaho they are internet based and have good performance items...

Get a edge juice with attitude, they have CS($849) and the CTS($979) its difference is the screen. The cts model is the bigger screen and its touch screen also has Digital gauges. so you wont have to worry about installing pillar gauges, even though they are cool. also the programmer has 6 different settings with a safety defueling feature which will protect your engine. plus on the fly progamming. best thing I invested in and im sure im not the only one who can say that..

Better address the exhaust system and intake as well. Doesnt make sense to go for tuners or programmers to add hp if you cant get the good air in (intake) and the exhaust out in a hurry. These items will keep your EGTs from getting out of hand, and help your engine run more efficiently, as well as compliment the tuner or programmer. Just tossing it out there........

I do have an upgraded exhaust system and air filter and I have been researching h&s mini maxx for a tuner

I research edge cts which has been the first turner I was going to go with but with a lot of review it seems like h&s mini maxx is a better brand

Read, research, read some more, research some more. Then make a well informed decision for "your" needs. Ex: I'm not a fan of Edge. Cheesy products, EGT's tend to run a bit on the high side for what you get. Customer service is good, chances are you'll use it. EFI Live would be a much better choice over anything else. Again, read, research, before you part with your money blindly.

The BEST Dodge Cummins Fuel Filter Kit Available :c:

EFI Live is a really good product, but equally good is the Smarty and Smarty Jr. These are about the most popular products used. But like mykaos said, research and research some more. Make the right decision for your needs b/c you ultimately have to live with it. Do it right the first time, and you should have no regrets.... Cheers:c:

IMO EFI Live is much better when you learn how to tune with it, the mini maxx is a very user friendly system, but so are the others.
Intake, exhaust and a good tune any you have a completely different truck.:tu:

I try to do as much research as possible but it's hard to decide cause I haul vehicles and I don't want to destroy my truck I don't beat on my truck either I always remain at 55mph and I rarely go over 2000 rpms when going up hill

if you tow with it look into a transmission upgrades! http://www.transmissioncenter.net/dodge.htm

Thks alot

Welcome to the forum! I Recently joined the cummins game as well- I have removed turbo silencer and cat thus far- edge with attitude as mentioned above will be installed by the end of the week on my rig- enjoy!

i would look into smarty jr its a simple programmer and very compatable with the truck. also leaves no trail in the ecu in case the dealer would ever have to hook to it.

also. i would highly reccomend trans upgrades if you tow alot.

so I bit the bullet and bought an 04 seems dodge has not put in good enough fuel filters from oem

mine has 5" exhaust and an edge tuner I took off my ford ps

so when it comes to fuel filtration use the cat filter stock pump or a fass or air dog but they are soo loud


what do you all think about this

change out the factory filter with this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261645401567?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
this for the cat filter

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360901306566?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

and this for a pump I know I would need a new draw tube in the tank this is what I am running on my 12v fummins

http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Flow-Performance-Electric-Fuel-Pump-140GPH-Universal-Fit-3-8-NPT-Ports-/330873921560?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d099f6018&vxp=mtr

I found this for the air setup

Homemade 6" Air intake, AKA the "whistler", tech write-up - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

New here, but here is my cat/cummins dual filter installed.

It's good

EDIT: since this photo I have replaced the rubber hose with braided stainless lines. Overtightened the compression fitting on one of the rubber ends and had a sloooow leak. Since I put the stainless lines on....no more leak!!

If you are towing that much, I second whoever said Tranny upgrades. gauges, and a tuner might not be bad.