Exhaust Mods

I've been trying to decide on whther or not to do some exhaust mods to my '05 2500HD, 6.0L. I have a cold air intake and figured since I've adjusted the breathing on the front side, I should adjust the breaking out the back end as well, but after reading on here a little bit are having second thoughts. Seems like most of the old posts say that if you have a stock engine, it makes no sense to change exhuast, whether it be swapping manifolds for headers, or true duals versus a cat-back system. Ultimately I'm trying to get more out of my engine/mpg when I'm hauling my travel trailer, but don't want to spend the money if the gains aren't really going to be there for me. Thoughts?

Have you noticed any difference with the CAI (maybe more noise)? If not, that may answer as to whether to go further. IMO it's all money out the tail pipe.

I tried the K&N FIPK and the Volant on my '98 Sub 7.4 looking for more MPG. Got none and actually dropped some. May have had a slight increase in HP at WOT. Then again maybe it was just all the noise. Been back to stock intake for years now.

There are a lot of hand held tuners on the market. Might look into some of those. I have the Super Chip for the '05 Ram Cummins and the Hypertech for the '98 Sub 7.4. Mainly use the Hypertech for when I swap out the winter tires for the summer ones on the Sub.

Best to you.

I had considered the Hypertech before, but kind of felt the way you mentioned above, that it might be money out the tailpipe. I mean, if they do what they say, then it sounds like the way to go. I've just never known anyone who had one, so never had a first hand account of how they perform, just internet reviews.

Actually my reference to "money out the tailpipe" was to mechanical mods, such as CAI's & exhaust, not the hand held tuners.

I think these newer tuners have a lot of potential in them for stock motors. The Super Chip I have for the '05 Cummins is very impressive. The HyperTech for the '98 Sub is just there for speedo changes with the winter/summer/winter tire changes.

PS: I'm a survivor, where will you lead me to?

I think I knew what you meant, and I was just applying it to the tuner aspect. Would love to get one, to adjust for when I'm hauling, and for my tires, since I don't have to original stock size tires on there anymore. I may end up picking one up.

Ha! Depends on where you're going? Just and old quote from Gen Curtis LeMay, who was in the Air Force back in the 60s. I find inspiration from it. lol

FYI .. if your running oversized tires and then looking for horsepower gains, maybe you should consider returning to the stock sized tires... by increasing the tire size you have inadvertantly altered the gearing ratio of the vehicle and lose horsepower at the wheels. If your determined to increase performance in the vehicle... consider regearing the vehicles front and rear differentials, However that will not be a cheap investment.