Hey everyone, our fire company has a 1984, 5 ton military truck that we use for brush fires and other off road emergencies.. It has a Cummins engine in it but its very sluggish. We've spent a pile of money on new filters, fuel additives, etc....but nothing has changed its power. We're not looking into upgrading internal engine parts due to low finances, just possible "quick fixes." I've run both deuce and a halfs and 5 tons in the military so I know they aren't meant to blow the siding off of houses, however I've never driven one this sluggish. Multiple people I've talked to are telling me to take the muffler off and just straight pipe it. I know enough that it might add a little bit of power and lots of loud rumble, but that's the extent of it. Is this going to fix the sluggish problem or is their a bigger issue? Im open to any suggestions on enhancing power or what to expect when I take the muffler off. Thanks!!!

 

If it's been a while, it probably needs an overhead run, and the injector travel checked. Also, check the fuel pressure coming out of the injector pump.