Hi my name is Josh and I just bought my first diesel truck (1997 Chevy k3500) I really don't know much about diesel's being this is my first but I bought it to pull my skid steer around because I blew the motor in my half ton (1996 Chevy k1500 5.0 gas) so I figured I'd buy a diesel for pulling it, and I couldn't go wrong for the price I paid for this one ($2500) my question is should I order any performance parts to do the pulling? (Programmer/chip, exhaust, bigger turbo etc) like I said this is the first diesel I have ever owned any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks to all in advance

 

Remote mount PMD/heatsink/resistor,extension harness kit-MANDATORY!
Mount it outside the engine bay-under/behind frt bumper or behind the grill,Heath K series kit mounts on top of frt skid plate.
Diamond Eye exhaust -turbo back
2 1/2" crossover pipe
EGT and Boost gauges
K-47 round air filter upgrade-stock on 97+ if not already equipped
ATT turbo with KOJO ECM tune- might not really need for just towing a skid steer but would be beneficial.
Feed the beast mod from Walking J Designs if you get the tune


Take it 1 bite at a time because the list is about $2000 worth of stuff if you feel you need it all.

 

Ok thank you for the advice I really appreciate it

 

You could always add an intercooler kit and/or water injection too-there are a great many upgrades that can be made but that list covers the main ones.

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One other mandatory upgrade that should be done in the same priority as the PMD relocation is replacing the engine oil cooler and lines with a kit from Leroy Diesel or Lubrication Specialists.

 

I do not know wat all they have out for the 6.5 as I am new to this motor,but not to diesels as I am a diesel mechanic by trade not bragging just trying to let people know I am not trying to blow smoke and harm instead of help. Anyways as any diesel if u upgrade intake and turbo then u should upgrade the injectors and pump cause one without the other only gives u half the equation plus u would not get your full moneys worth with the tune so I would check and see if any of that stuff is available as well. If u find any info please send my way cause I am too starting to look for upgrades as well

 

Rule of thumb for injectors is rebuild with Bosch Stanadyne or Delphi nozzles or replace with new equivilents every 100,000 miles.
Pop pressure set to 2150-2300psi within 5% variation.
Stock flow injectors can supply more performance then the IP can provide-don't get sucked into the claims of marine injectors-they only provide added power with the mechanical DB4 marine IP.
If you have a DB2 mechanical or DS4 electronic IP the marine injectors will add nothing significant besides a lighter wallet.

The Holset HX40 with a T3 flange can be modded for use on these engines but for direct bolt on the ATT turbo is easiest.

 

When replacing the fuel injectors with new ones do you need to test the spray or can you just plug and play?

 

It is always best to have even new injectors tested for proper spray pattern and to find out if they pop within 5% of each other or does a correction need to b made.