Patrick, I'm not going to say you are wrong but a even a mild stage 2 set of sticks is better than getting a turbo right off the get go. That said, we can all agree he needs gauges first!

 

If your lookin for good safe power with gauges. Can't go wrong with an EDGE Juice with Attitude. Then when you get the tranny, what ever kind you have beef'd up you can get the Hot unlock for it as well. But you can run it for now on the lower setting and get a good kick in the pants and alil smoke to boot. Just take it one step at a time and resist the urge to put the box on kill with your stock tranny! Or you'll be spending large amounts of money real quick.... Good luck with your adventure

 

Here's what I did. In order.

Edge EZ
AFE Stage 2 Mega cannon
5" exhaust turbo back
FASS fuel pump
Edge Juice Attitude
Pac Brake exhaust brake
Southbend CON Fe clutch
HTB2 Turbo
ATS exhaust manifold
ATS intake horn
At this point I dyno'd 607 HP on a Dynojet Dyno

Haven't dyno'd yet with the below products
HTT 62/71/13ss Turbo
Joe Hellmann intercooler
DiabloSport 7130 Programmer
Probably somthing I'm forgetting


Currently I'm running the Hot Juice with a turbo timer built in. Works great and takes care of a few gauge functions. However, I also have analog Di Pricol gauges to watch rail pressure, fuel pressure and boost above 40 PSI. The attitude will show boost but it is using the stock MAP sensor which is only good to about 40 PSI. My wastegate is set at 48 PSI.

I am running stock injectors, CP3 and head studs. I pull 10k in the mountains and can keep it all cool. Lately I've been towing on level 6 which is the hot level in the Juice and have had great luck. 7% grades this last weekend showed no more than 1240 degrees with water temp no more than 213 degrees. And yeah, she'll smoke some. I put it on level 6, push the cruise button and let her eat.

 

Edge or Quad-mander will give you power and gauges. The quad will let you download the zillaraider II program for free from their site (saves money, adds power).

I would research all the products that everyone has listed in their sigs and see which ones are going to fit your budget and your order of importance (letting the beast breathe is #1), then go from there.

Good Luck!!!

 

The big question is...How far or how high do you want to go.