I'm looking into getting a CR Cummins to upgrade from my ISB for more room in the cab and more base HP. I have a few questions about buying a common rail though like what should i look for in a CR and what should I beware of, also are there any years with factory recalls i should avoid? Thanks in advance.

 

Make sure it's at least a 04.5 HO. Those are the 325/600 motors. Will have a sticker on the side of the valve cover that says 325 on the HP rating. The 48RE transmission is a good auto. I've got 170,000 on mine and tow heavy regularly. There aren't many TSB's for the 04.5's. The only issue with the 04.5's is the lift pump. the 03-04's had the lift pump on the side of the fuel filter and had a tendency to fail. The dealership would replace it with a in fuel pump like what is on the 05's and above. The 05's originally came with plastic end caps on the intercooler and had a tendency to blow under high boost. Those were replaced with the original metal end caps. So check those things if looking at those years. I love mine. Get over 20 MPG on the highway and around 16-17 when towing. Comfortable ride. Good luck.

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Make sure it's at least a 04.5 HO. Those are the 325/600 motors. Will have a sticker on the side of the valve cover that says 325 on the HP rating. The 48RE transmission is a good auto. I've got 170,000 on mine and tow heavy regularly. There aren't many TSB's for the 04.5's. The only issue with the 04.5's is the lift pump. the 03-04's had the lift pump on the side of the fuel filter and had a tendency to fail. The dealership would replace it with a in-tank fuel pump like what is on the 05's and above. The 05's originally came with plastic end caps on the intercooler and had a tendency to blow under high boost. Those were replaced with the original metal end caps. So check those things if looking at those years. I love mine. Get over 20 MPG on the highway and around 16-17 when towing. Comfortable ride. Good luck.

 

Watch where you buy fuel. Bad fuel can shorten the life of the injectors dramatically. Also change the fuel filters more often, also be a good idea to find the smallest micron rated factory style filter and change it out as soon as you get the truck.

 

take it from me if your running big power go stick or full built auto the stock re48s good but gives up around 400 hp and 777 tq mine slips and misses the 3 to 4 shift and pops between 1st and 2nd at lower speeds over all newer the better there great trucks enjoy its a huge leap over the vp 44 trucks

 

IYO where is the best place to buy fuel and what is the best kind of fuel filter to run? and at what point in the bombing process would you recommend upgrading the fuel system?

 

i run red fuel aka off highway high sulfer but thats a no no oh well fuel systems vary 03 to 04.5 good to 400 hp with out lift/ pusher pumps the 05 to 06 450hp 07 have a slightly diff cp3 there good to 500 or so. just make sure u use good filters and a reputble fuel station and your cr will run forever

 

How realistic is a goal of 500hp from a CR, and what would be required or recommended to reach that goal?

 

With just my TST on 6/6 I dynoed 453 hp and 852 tq.

 

I just pick up my 04.5 HO 6spd , it was about 3.5 hrs away. On the way home i had the cruise set at about 72-73 holding 2100rpms and when i got back home i filled up.... 15.3mpg My buddie who took me there has an 08 6.7 6spd with 35's was following right behind me and he said his got right about 15... I added a qt of 2 stroke when i filled up when we first got on the road.. The guy i bought it from said he changed the fuel filter every oil change.. It has the 3.73s How could i achieve 20mpg?? i just got it home last night so i havent had a chance to do anything to it. i was to take out the silencer ring and either gut the intake tube or replace it with a piece of aluminum tubing, and once i get it inspected, taking off just the cat...

 

You might freshen up all the fluids and filters, also low pressure in your tires can rob mpg. New oil and clean filters can make a world of difference