5.9L 12V Performance Discussion of 12 Valve 5.9 Liter Dodge Cummins Diesels with P7100 Injection Pumps Related to Performance and Longevity

adding horsepower question

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Old 03-26-2011, 05:53 PM
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Default adding horsepower question

hey guys chris at relentless diesel says that i dont need to upgrade any engine parts or anything like headgasket head studs kdp since i only want to go to like 400 hp or a little more. is this true???? or do i need to do some engine work to keep it in tact. i definately dont want to blow anything i wanna do it right. anyway let me know all the info i can! thanks in advanced!!
 
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Old 03-26-2011, 07:15 PM
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I would do the KDP no matter what power level you were at.

You could probably achieve 400hp with around 40lbs of boost, which wouldnt require you to put in head studs, but its certainly not going to hurt it either. If you're just looking at 400hp you might look into a set of 12mm allen 12.9 head bolts that Tony from Mighty Diesel sells. They're not as strong as ARP's, but at $130, they're a cheap way to get something a little stronger than stock.
 
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Old 03-27-2011, 09:19 PM
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Awsome! I appreciate it! What about the head gasket????
 
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Old 03-28-2011, 12:05 AM
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You can get the head either o-ringed or fire ringed. Once again, I dont think its necessary for what you will be running, but if you get a wild urge, it wont hurt anything either.

Here is a post Jazz made that I came across about studs/fire rings/o-rings:

Head studs
When upgrading your turbo, air pressure in the intake system typically increases and once this increase reaches 45-50 psi the factory head bolts start to stretch causing the head to "lift". When the head lifts too much the head gasket will fail and this failure will cost you.

Head studs are the ideal fix for those daily drivers trying to get more out of their truck O-rings. The next step up from head studs is O-ringing the engines cylinder head.

Head surfacing to ensure the surface is flat
An O-Ring groove is machined around each combustion chamber

With the heads installed the O-ring squeezes against a stock head gasket to hold the pressure in. An engine equipped with O-rings can contain boost pressures up to 70psi.Fire-rings For those who want the mother of all pressure containment then our fire-rings are for you. The machining process for the fire-rings is similar to that of the o-rings. The difference is how they seal. The fire-rings utilize a head gasket that is laser-cut to fit around them. The rings seal against the deck of the block instead of the gasket. These fire-rings and handle everything from your average tow rigs to a vicious sled puller.
 
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Old 03-30-2011, 08:03 PM
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That I's definately helpful! Sorry it took so Lon to reply been busy I feel alot better now about all this
 
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Old 03-30-2011, 09:45 PM
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Fire rings are a bad idea. They were used when that's all anyone had, but in a street truck they dont last. Fire rings are extremely hard to get positioned correctly and can be damaged when installing the head. Heat cylces from daily driving shift the rings around and after time can cause them to leak. If you think you need somthing more than the head oringed, have the block oringed as well. This is imo better than fire ringing.
For 400hp a set of good bolts and an oringed head will do fine and dandy.
 
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Old 03-30-2011, 09:55 PM
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Ok sweet so kdp for sure and head studs And new regular o rings. And I don't need a head gasket unless I'm feeling like spending money? Sound good so far?
 
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Old 03-31-2011, 10:44 AM
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If you want orings you'll need to pull the head. If you pull the head you'll need a new gasket. For the power level you want save your money and just get either new cummins bolts, or buy a set of pappy's allen head bolts.
 
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Old 03-31-2011, 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by 12valvetater
If you want orings you'll need to pull the head. If you pull the head you'll need a new gasket. For the power level you want save your money and just get either new cummins bolts, or buy a set of pappy's allen head bolts.
Agreed

Sorry I forgot to mention that fire rings werent good for DD's.
 
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Old 03-31-2011, 12:00 PM
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And the kdp and head studs will support 400+hp? Dam these engines are stronger then I thought!
 


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