Serenity got 1600 in upgrades

[mmandley]

I wanted to throw this up, those with Diesels can appriciate it. Those without thinking of getting one might like the info LOL.

Got my 08 Ford F350 6.4L Twin Turbo start of Jan.

Going into the purchase i knew the stong and weak points of this truck and engine combo.
Its the Last International made engine and personaly im a fan of the International.

Weak points
cooling system leaks from the radiator. Mine had this all fixed under warrenty
DPF System < diesel particulate system > present as its EPA required
EGR valve present as its EPA required
Fuel milage 11 in town and 15 mixed and 17 hwy

Strong points
350 hp and 650ft torque...Betty 430 HP and 730 torque Modified
Twin Turbo setup....Betty Single Turbo
new oil type of oil cooler < much better then the 6.0>
Larger and better placed head bolts. < much better then 6.0
All new truck design

So after leaving Black Betty and mind you the dealer sold her with in 2 weeks. I had no real regrets except over all milage and stock this was less the Betty since she was modified. After driving 2 weeks to work and back and only getting 450 miles from the tank and averaging 14.5 mpg i was pretty disapointed in the rig. Also when you mash the skinny peddle it had a bit more turbo lag then Betty, but once she kicked in you could feel some good solid power. You could also literally watch the fuel gauge go down every day you drove it. At 50 miles if comes off full, it hits 3/4 at 100 miles and so one. This fuel gauge is dead on all the time lol.

So im my never leave anything stock mantra i upgraded things LOL.

I did the standard upgrades for the 08
S&H Mini Max tuner
S&B cold air intake
Diamond Eye 5inch exhaust
MBRP 6inch chrome tip

WOW is all i can say, and im sure glad my truck has traction control. This truck is a straight up beast. with up to 310 RWHP on the tuner i can lay down 570 hp to the ground, with the S&B intake its been dynoed at 590. Torque is now apx 1100 at the rear wheels. No i didnt get my dynoed LOL. These are the standard proven numbers for this set up, plenty of the companies selling these products list these numbers, and tons of owners on the Powerstroke.org have dynoed the trucks with these numbers as results.

Driving the truck last night was scary at times, a rush at times, and just pur fun all the time. Scary part is when you step into this thing, it starts with a growl from the engine, as it sucks in all that air threw the new opened CAI, then it puts you into the seat and the power rolls in, the traction control light comes on and you can literaly feel the power at the back of the truck. Its inteanse, I havent even when WOT yet, thats the scard part LOL. Im only running the 275 tune till i get used to it lol.

Milage last night was 18 mpg mixed city and hwy. I expect it to go up more as i get the trans tune installed because it didnt want to shift to 5th till 55mph where before it would shift at 50 so the revs stay right at 2K at 50 and thats drinking some fuel.

All i can say is if you get one of these trucks, the proven combo of S&B, MINI Max, and 5inch exhaust will not let you down lol.

Heres some pics.

Stock air filter
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0665.jpg
DPF system
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0666.jpg
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0667.jpg

Mini Max tuner, this is a pic i stole of Google LOL I need to paint my dash pod to match the truck.
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/MiniMaxxMount_sm.jpg

[mmandley]

S&B CAI intake
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0668.jpg
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0669.jpg

5inch Diamond Eye exhaust
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0673.jpg
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0674.jpg

[mmandley]

MBRP 5inch in and 6inch out tip
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0670.jpg
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0671.jpg

Just to show how big this tip and exhaust are
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0672.jpg

All the crap i took off, apx 90lbs of exhaust LOL. Now this exhuast is not EPA approved and illegal in a lot of states but if you dont have to run emissions on your truck like in OR then its the only way to go. Its not even loud its much quiter then Betty with her 4inch pipe.
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/mmandley/DSC_0675.jpg

I am disapointed at my measure 2x mark it and cut it LOL. Evidently the last extension pipe wasnt completly on when i measured. Once i cut it and bolted it all up the tip was a couple inches farther under the truck then i wanted.
Bright side is IDK because i was planning on an Exhaust shop to make me a 5inch outlet that wraped behind the rear wheel. I dont like the way this one is angled. Now if i had Duels id like the angled look LOL

[viking]

Nice Job Mike!
Did you block the EGR and looks like you scrapped the DPF? I'm sure your tuner blocks the codes. Did you just zip tie the sensor wires up under there somewhere?
Did u go Diamond Eye exhaust with MBRP tip?
Gotta love the diesel :)

I'm currently running a PPE tuner and 4in exhaust with 5in tip both MBRP. I'm going to swap it out for 5in here soon and change over to EFI Live tunes. I've got my buy list pretty well set as you saw in another post I made.
Part of the reason I bought my 07 Classic DMax was because it was the last year before EPA required the DPF systems. The Max's need a lift pump so I'm doing that as well. It should make a great improvement to an already good truck!!

[mmandley]

Nice Job Mike!
Did you block the EGR and looks like you scrapped the DPF? I'm sure your tuner blocks the codes. Did you just zip tie the sensor wires up under there somewhere?
Did u go Diamond Eye exhaust with MBRP tip?
Gotta love the diesel :)


Tuner shuts the EGR off but later this spring or early summer im going to remove it all together. Its right on the front of the engine where the fan and belts are, bad design of you ask me because its almost impossible to work on the front of the truck LOL.

Tuner blocks the DPF codes, yes i taped and ziped the sensor wires to there harness, im going to keep the DPF section in the shed or something, in case i ever move and need it. There pretty expensive to replace. I just at the muffler joint.

Yes Diamond Eye exhaust and MBRP tip i chose Diamond eye because its prices a lot better then MBRP. Betty had MBRP and they were like 300 then now there pushing 400 and the Diamond eye was only 270 and honeslty i cant tell the difference in quality. The pipe is all nice, its been rust treated, all joins fit perfect, it took me close to 2 hours to remove the DPF and only 45 minutes to install the new pipes.

[jpetty3023]

Nice upgrades mike. I need to do a little to my 6.0 gasser, the 10.8mpg is starting to drive me crazy

[rc5695]

sweet. lookin' good. saw the pics on FB last night ;)

[bzubke1]

Is the 6.4 less prone to some of the issues the 6.0 had with blowing head gaskets and such? My brother is looking at getting a 6.0 but is real worried about the possibility of having to drop a bunch of money into a truck just to make it reliable, to the point where he may just be better off saving a little longer and getting a 6.4. Thought you might have some insight seeing as you've had both.

[dusty2221]

I'm trying to ditch my 6.0 as we speak for the exact reasons. $4k for studs, egr system removal, a few other things just to make it reliable....no thanks. I'm trying to get out before its a "must be done"

I'm hoping a Duramax is in my near future.

[KG's Supra24]

I've read the 6.4 problems may not occur across as many trucks but there are issues. The 6.0 are known issues, you get that $4,000 cab off work done (studs and egr) and I think it is virtually bullet proof. I think the 6.4 issues are more sporatic.

Viking my brother .. I've been doing the EFI Live with 5" for several months now, actually pulled all summer with it. You are going to love it. It should be a little smoother shifting than the PPE from what I have read. I haven't done the lift pump but have look at the Airdog II multiple times. I know I ought to do it eventually but have a couple other things in mind first.

Mike, nice truck! It's nice to get all that work done on the front end and put it behind ya!

[rdlangston13]

I need to do something about my dodges fuel mileage. I was thinking CAI and a superchips programmer but I'm not sure how much of a difference that will yield. I'd be happy with a 2-3 mpg increase.

[wolfeman131]

saw the pics on FB last night ;)

I saw some too & wondered if Mike was going to share that story?

[newty]

I saw some too & wondered if Mike was going to share that story?

Ha Ha me too, I think heads would roll if that were my new truck.

[dusty2221]

Yeah, I followed the damage pics on FB...that is some crazy stuff no doubt.

[mmandley]

Ok ill post a thread on the damage i didnt post it here just didnt think yall wanted to hear about it LOL.

As for the 6.4 Vs the 6.0

Big changes that were made were the 6.4 got Larger head bolts and can handle a lot more head pressure and are a lot more reliable. This truck also has not 1 but 2 EGR coolers ohh joy. One is right on the front of the engine and the secong is under the exhaust manifold drivers side. New style oil cooler that doesnt get clogged up like the 6.0.

We all mentioned the 6.0 problems.

Whats the 6.4 big disadvatages?
DPF system
EGR system
Coolant leaks
Bad Fuel milage in town

DPF system is the biggest pain in the arse peace of crap on these trucks, it sucks a ton of fuel when its in Regen mode, basically dumps a bunch of fuel into 7,8 clyinder to heat the cat up and help it burn <Clean> the Regen filter. During this you can get white smoke real bad, rotten egg smell, your can actually watch your MPG drop on the dash, plus it creats about 700 degree exhaust at the tip so its roasting the rear of the truck.

This also leads to fuel in your oil because it runs so rich during this process its not uncommon to see 2 qts of fuel mixed in the oil so they say you have to change the oil 3 to 5K and constantly check your oil level. Bad bad bad

Coolant leaks have been fixed on most 08 and 09 truck with an upgraded radiator so those arnt such an issue anymore. Also you was upgraded with a 2 oring upper rad hose, its said to be white one end and mine is all black so i might be doing that upgrade for peace of mind.

I choose to remove the DPF system, and when you do this you have to add a tuner of some kind to clear the codes and tell the truck not to regen. The truck wont even start if you unplug the DPF system. I then upgraded the Air intake as the 08 its not very good for anything over 400hp. Stock is 350.

So with my upgrades its as bullet proof as its going to get till i pull the EGR coolers later this year. these truck will handle up to 600RWHP or about 700 at the flywheel whith no real issue. Pass that or push more then 40 PSI of boost and your coing to be looking at new headgaskets and studs.

Duramax makes excellent power and its a solid truck, there only drawback when upgrading is the fuel pump. Do that and they make unreal power.

[you da man]

I need to do something about my dodges fuel mileage. I was thinking CAI and a superchips programmer but I'm not sure how much of a difference that will yield. I'd be happy with a 2-3 mpg increase.

Pass on the Superchip tuner and go Smarty. I have an AFE Stage II intake on mine with Aeroturbine exhaust. Getting upper 20-21 hand calculated MPG. Oh, and the AFE intake makes the turbo scream. However, my Cummins is the 5.9L with 5-speed auto.

[dusty2221]

David drives a gasser, right? I thought Smarty was Cummins specific

[bzubke1]

Thanks for all the info mike. Looks like that's the way hes gonna go after I let him read your post. He was worried about the gas mileage on the 6.4 but seems like after you do a couple minor modifications they're not too bad.

[you da man]

David drives a gasser, right? I thought Smarty was Cummins specific ah well, nevermind...dang spark plug engines.

[mmandley]

Thanks for all the info mike. Looks like that's the way hes gonna go after I let him read your post. He was worried about the gas mileage on the 6.4 but seems like after you do a couple minor modifications they're not too bad.

After getting her all dialed in, using the proper HP tune, trans tune, going to work and back gained me 2.5 mpg I was getting 14.5 average and now im a solid 17.

Before in town only i was getting around 12 to 13 and yesterday i went 100 miles ruffly, into Portland to the Victory Motorcycle dealer and home and averaged 15.5 mpg so still a solid 2.5 average.

Can yall see what my next machine in the Mandley garage will be? LOL Victory Vision Tour is what im after.