A little about me......I bought my Ram new back in July 2000. The reason that I bought a Dodge was that I pulled one over that was doing well over 100 mph while towing (2) other Dodges. So I thought to myself......I gotta get one! So I did. I am the kind of guy that changes the oil and other various fluids when needed, rotates the tires, and puts diesel in the tank. But that is all.....

Fast forward to today......

I told a friend that it was kind of strange that I do not hear the "whine" of the turbo anymore. He stated that the turbo probably went out. I asked what would cause that and he stated not letting the turbo cool down before shutting off the engine. I told him that when ever I get to where I need to go I shut off the engine. He replied that was a bad thing.

So my questions would be this.....Is this a true statement? How can I tell if the turbo is out?

He mentioned something about a "turbo cooler" and that it shuts the truck off automatically when the turbo is cooled down. For now (I am liking the modifications that I have read about here), I want to stick with the turbo cooler and increase my gas mileage maybe add a little bit of power. Can anyone recommend parts to accomplish this? Just remember....baby steps!

FYI 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab LB STOCK everything. 75,000 miles.

Also....if you reply please use small words and maybe pictures! I am extremely new at this, but I am willing to learn!!!! Okay maybe not real small words, but if possible idiot proof it!

Thanks in advance!!

Mike

 

First thing you want to do is install gauges, especially a fuel pressure gauge with this era of truck, and an exahust temperature gauge, I was told to wait till the exahust temp is below 400 degres before you shut it down. As for the things you are looking for I think a quadzilla addrenaline will do everything that you are looking for, and I think if you get the pulse monitor, it will also double as a set of gauges. Or you want to play it safe, just spend your first "modification dollars" on a quality fuel system like a Fass or Airdoy

 

times 2 on the gauges
before you get anything like the adrenaline with pulse you need to upgrade the lift pump with an air dog or fass
I installed the air dog 150 on my 99 in my front yard
the adrenaline is a great power adder that does have a turbo timer to help with cool down but in my opinion you need the pulse with it to get all the benifits out of the adrenaline programing

 

What these guys said^ ... I also have the adrenaline and love it. Tho having a stock transmission may not be good in the long run. But since its adjustable (adrenaline) there shouldnt be a problem... Now ive never heard of a turbo just shutting down because it doesnt cool down before you turn the truck off... I do it only when ive been out running it hard or at the track.... other than that im not to worried about it... And my truck has 240k miles... im either lucky or ive done it when ive needed to... that is keep the truck running for a bit while everything cools.

 

If you have the coin get the Edge Juice with Attitude. It has 5 power levels and all the guages you will ever need, it also has the cool down timer. Its best to let it cool until 350 degrees pre turbo before shut down. Pre turbo means the pyrometer probe is installed in the exhuast manifold before the turbo, its the most accurate place. You will eaither need to install a FASS or airdog at the same time or just leave the edge on stock setting until you can. The stock lift pump sucks and can't keep up with much over stock fueling. To help with exhuast temps and to gain a little in fuel mileage get rid of the restrictive stock exhuast and intake.

 

To answer your initial question about the turbo. If it was "out" you would certainly know it and not hearing the whine any more would be the least of your worries.

The device your friend is speaking of is an automatic shutdown switch. Commonly found on over- the- road rigs, the driver presses a button prior to turning off the key, a pre set timer, 3-5 minutes later shuts the truck down. Not really needed for what we do unless your in a hurry. Anything less than 350 to 400 is generally ok. Damage results from early shutdowns because when you stop the engine the oil quits pumping but the turbo is still spinning without lubrication. It takes awhile to really harm them but eventually the bearings will fry. Sorry, no pictures.....

 

took the words right out of my mouth!!