Three Point Performance

Transcription

1 LET S PLAY BALL by Lance Wiggins Three Point Performance It was 6:45 AM, sometime in June. The temperature was already close to 80 F. My buddy and I were in the service area getting ready for the day. As the service writer went out to help the next customer, a 7.3L DIT diesel truck pulled in, smoking something fierce and running really loud. My buddy and I looked at each other as we stole a line from Apocalypse Now: I love the smell of diesel in the morning. When we heard that unique sound only a diesel could make, we knew it was coming our way. In this issue of Let s Play Ball, we ll dribble our way through the defense and put up some three-point performance shots to help your customers love their diesels. First things first: What is a 7.3L DIT diesel? The 7.3L is about 444 cubic inches, capable of producing 215 horsepower at 3000 RPM. The DIT stands for Direct Injected Turbo. In 1995 Ford introduced the first of the 7.3L DIT vehicles in the F250HD. Bone stock, this truck would move. The turbo lag from years past was virtually gone, but there s always someone looking to increase the horsepower. In the older 7.3L diesels you could crank up the timing and add a spring to the pump. This would give you an extra 20 HP and puff out some foul black smoke. The DIT is a little different: The engine and transmission both have a computer, so turning up the pump timing isn t an option. But you still have a few offensive plays left. Let s break the 7.3L DIT into three areas: 1. Extras 2. Transmission 3. Fuels We ll begin the game with the extras. There were many extras available for this vehicle when it was introduced in Depending on what you wanted to do, you could get: An Air Injection Cooler System An Engine Brake or Trailer Brake A Two-Speed Splitter An Engine / Transmission An Enhancement Chip At the time there were only a few shops willing to install the air injection cooler systems. Why you ask? Most diesel engines, when running, will suck in as much air as a jet engine. Have you ever had anybody tell you not to put your hand over the intake of a diesel? If you want your skin to stay on your hand, you won t try this one at home. The problem is, most shops just aren t qualified to install these systems. If installed improperly, they can create a number of problems in the engine. The Discovery Channel sometimes runs a show called Wings; in it, they have a shot of about forty sailors walking the aircraft carrier deck, looking for debris. The reason they re so careful about debris is to prevent anything from getting sucked into the jet engines that could cause internal damage. The same is true for the diesel: the intake suction is so intense and the clearance between the piston and cylinder head is so small, it doesn t take much to damage the engine. The air injection cooler system, now a standard piece of equipment, is used to cool the air that reaches the intake. As the air is cooled it becomes denser; in effect, sending more air to the engine. Engines are classified as pumps: The more volume you put through them, the more power you get out. Getting more air into the cylinder gets more HP from the engine. Engine and trailer brake systems are a must for the customer who tows frequently. Don t miss the easy slamdunk. If you tow and you don t have this option, your transmission will be unhappy and possibly want to be traded, if you know what I mean. These brake systems are supposed to take the strain off the transmission but does it? We see so many types of controlled braking systems, from electric trailer brake systems to electric exhaust engine braking systems, it s hard to know where to begin. What we need to verify is that the systems are right for the way the vehicle is being used. If you decide to install an exhaust brake on a vehicle that s primarily being used to take the basketball team to the game, don t bother. You may end up causing TCC operation and downshift problems. 8 GEARS May 2002

2 MANUFACTURING CORPORATION Farnam Sealing Systems Division You d be amazed at what s gone into our name. A lot of companies and brand names, past and present, have helped create Corteco. We re the Aftermarket Business of Freudenberg-NOK, and we bring you all the quality and dependability you ve come to trust in names like TransTec, IPC and Farnam. And of course, we draw upon the resources of our parent companies Freudenberg and NOK to provide the same OEM quality, design and materials to the aftermarket. YOUR tecnology SPECIALIST While some names may come and go, TransTec is here to stay. You ll continue to get the same highquality transmission and power steering kits and components we ve provided since New logo, same quality. TransTec from Corteco, the Aftermarket Business of Freudenberg-NOK. The Aftermarket Business Of Freudenberg-NOK TransTec transmission and power steering kits. Milan, Ohio U.S.A. Toll-Free: 800/ Fax: 419/ Web: Cortecto Brand ID 1 2/22/02, 3:14 PM

3 Three Point Performance Step 1 Remove O/D Lube Plug Two-speed splitters will also benefit those customers who tow, but these guys are hardcore. With a splitter you have the opportunity to switch between low and high ranges. This is a huge benefit when towing up hills. Most of these splitters are installed in the extension housing of the transmission or transfer case. Used properly, a two-speed splitter will extend the life of the transmission substantially. Engine enhancement chips or override wiring are the easiest and most effective forms of adding engine horsepower. There are many different systems available: too many to mention all of them. The trick is to find the one that fits your and your customer s needs. Are there any modifications to help the transmission? Sure there are. There are so many different modifications you can do to the transmission to help it last, it s easy to lose track of them. The 7.3L DIT is equipped with either the E4OD or the 4R100, depending on the year. Pump modifications are the most common. This modification, first done by Irvin Gers, enhances the lube flow and serves its purpose well if done correctly. You can find the details of this modification in ATRA bulletin #290 for the E4OD. There s a slight difference between the E4OD and the 4R100, so pay close attention to the Steps listed in this article. Other modifications are designed to improve the shift quality; shift quality, that is, while pulling a trailer. If you keep the original shifts without modifi- FREE To ALL ATRA Members!! NOW AVAILABLE! the ATRA CB Tracker CB Tracker This powerful tool will help you generate reports on the type of units you rebuild; how much each person in your shop produces; what each rebuilder and installer s CB rate is, and which units have the highest CB s. You ll be able to log CB problems caused by parts, workmanship, customer abuse, or by many other reasons. And since the ATRA CB Tracker will automatically generate a unique reference number for each unit you rebuild, it ll be compatible with many point-of-sale (POS) software programs used in today s shops. $450 Value FREE to ALL ATRA Members. Non-members receive a Free 60 day trial version. Download your copy today at: or call (805) (805) ATRA 2400 Latigo Ave Oxnard CA GEARS May 2002

4 cation, you may run into some clutch, or even sprag failures. There are two areas that can be addressed here: one is the accumulator regulator valve spring; the other is the accumulator piston spring. The accumulator regulator valve (see steps 9 & 10) sits behind the accumulator piston and spring. The primary purpose of this valve is to regulate the amount of oil the accumulator piston and clutch drum receive. Reducing the spring tension allows for a softer shift. Don t cut coils here: If you can t find a spring from a different transmission, check your box-o-springs. The reason you don t want to cut this spring is because of the retaining clip. Notice the slotted middle: The last thing you want to do is miss the easy Step 2 Plug with GM Part# Step 3 Step 4 Measure Depth From Outside Pumpcase to Plug GEARS May

5 Three Point Performance three pointer because the spring threaded into the retaining clip. Increasing the spring tension will increase the oil flow to the accumulator pistons and the clutch drum, allowing for a much faster and considerably firmer shift. There are many companies out there that make spring kits for this unit, check your local warehouse for the company you like. You can also replace the accumulator piston springs to improve Install Plug & Rod Step 5 Plug & Rod Drill Lube Hole.065" Step 6 Close up.065" Step 7 Close up Drill.055" Step 8 12 GEARS May 2002

6 O/D Accummulator Intermediate Accummulator Direct Accummulator O/D Accummulator Accummulator Regulator Valves & Sprags Line Modulator Valve Step 9: Early Accumulator Body, '89 '95 Intermediate Accummulator Direct Accummulator Line Modulator Valve Step 10: Early Accumulator Body, '89 '95 shift quality, using the same method as you used to replace the accumulator regulator valve springs. A lighter spring equals softer shifts; a heavier spring equals firmer shifts. Don t forget the computer: There are a number of different companies that make chips you can add to the computer and wiring harnesses that alter the timing of certain solenoids, fuel timing, and total performance of the vehicle. These systems allow you to choose one, two or all of the modifications, depending on how much the customer wants to spend. The diesel fuel you use may determine whether you can climb a hill at 85 MPH with a trailer, or end up pulling off the side of the road doing 10 MPH. There are different types of fuels used: Diesel #1, #2, and #3. Also for those diehard adventurers, try propane yes, propane. Propane will boost your diesel like you ve never seen. There are some trolley companies out there that have already converted and are running at optimum rates. There s also talk in the diesel world that fuels will become more efficient, similar to the bi-fuels we have now. Remember the diesel we talked about earlier, blowing clouds of fouling black smoke? The problem was that rodents had gotten into the engine and damaged the air filter. The damage allowed small pieces of debris that got into the piston area, which, in turn, damaged the injector nozzle. Go figure We ve covered a number of different modifications you can use to keep your customers loving their diesels. Stay out of foul trouble and keep the fast breaks going. This is the only way to play the diesel performance game. And That s The Game GEARS May