2001.5 6 speed was driving home just fine when I noticed white smoke coming from the tailpipe.   If I hit the skinny pedal I got a lot of black smoke.   Pyros were a tad high but not dangerous.  Boost normal.  Fuel pressure normal.   Temperature oil pressure all normal.   Even felt like normal power.   Regardless took it easy for 5 miles to my driveway.   Shut it down.   Turned the key.  It fired up.   Same smoke issues.   Shut it down.   Turned the key.  It rolls over like there is no fuel.   Fuel pressure gauge is still good.  Popped the hood.  Recently had the fuel pressure gauge installed and noticed it was weeping a bit.   Thought maybe I was getting air in the fuel system.   Tightened up a few fittings then turned it over again.   Still sounds like no fuel.   Figured I may have lost prime.   Googled how to prime a vp44.   Saw a couple posts about loosening up injectors 1,3,4 and bumping the key to get fuel through.   So I loosened up 1,3,4 and bumped the starter.   I did not have any intention of holding for any length of time.  Just bumping it.   It sounded horrible.  Clunking.  Chunking.   I don’t know how to describe it.   So I tightened 1,3,4 back up and went back to the key.   Now my starter sounds like it won’t engage.   I pull the starter out and the shaft is broken in two.  Went to town.   Bought starter.  Installed starter.  Have not turned the key.  That’s where I’m at now.  Any advice?

32 minutes ago, trailhead said:

I appreciate the help and the quick responses.  Here's what I'm thinking.  

 

Option 1:  Stock injectors with a Quadzilla.  Maybe that would give me the bump I want when towing.  

 

Option 2:  Something like the RV 275 injectors and no tuner.  

 

Option 3:  07 x 010 with Quadzilla and hope my stock turbo will suffice.  Probably will need to get studs.  

 

I really just want a reliable truck that can pull my RV around the mountains and will pull a larger RV if I ever upgrade.  Thanks for the insights.  

 

Re option 1:  good option...definitely more power.  But I would still go a little bigger on the injectors since you gotta get new ones anyway...maybe some 7x.0085's (+75hp).

 

Re option 2:  not really gonna give you the extra power your looking for...just a small increase and still constrained by stock tuning. 

 

Re option 3:  most powerful option and would probably be ok egt wise if tuned properly but I would feel better with a little more turbo if towing.  It sure would be fun as hell to drive without a load though.

 

You would not need studs with a stock turbo.  I personally don't think studs are necessary unless you are boosting more than 45lbs.  Even then some people retorque the stock headbolts a little tighter than factory spec and still push 50lbs without issue.  But I'm not one of those guys. 

Edited June 19, 20204 yr by Bullet

Spoke with Diesel Auto Power (Mitchell) and ended up with 100 HP injectors and the Quadzilla on the way.  Now I've got to learn how to use this Quadzilla. 

Good choice...you'll be very satisfied with the extra power.

 

I don't run a Quad...I personally prefer more power , reliability , ease of use  and ease of install  out of my electronics so I went with a Smarty/TST Comp stack instead.  But with all that reluctantly said on here , the Quad is the best raw tuning platform but does have a learning factor involved and is definitely more complicated...and a more difficult install with all the gauges and sensors.  However there is no better place to be than this forum for Quad support and tutelage.  These dudes really know it well.

RV275's and a an edge ez or something similar are a good bump in power  and will tow well unless you want to climb the 6% hill going 65mph. All of this power stuff is just a matter of what you want. You are the one who gets to choose. If I missed your goals here I will be quiet.

Got the truck back. No Quadzilla yet.  Should be here by the weekend.  Did end up getting 07x .010 injectors.  Smoke was manageable.  Felt quicker.  But I’m afraid the injector tip that broke off may have damaged the turbo on its way out.  The boost still builds but the turbo sound is nonexistent and what you can hear sounds quite aspirated.  Not sure what to make of it.  I’ll take it off and look at it but I’m wondering which turbo I should go with.  Should I just get another hx35 or is there something that will fit my upgraded setup better? 

Only way to tell is to separate the cartridge from the turbine housing and take a looksee at the turbine wheel.  The safe play is to go with another hx35 or similar size to avoid having to get studded and upgrading your clutch.  If you don't mind getting studs then you can't do any better than a Borg Warner SXE62.  It will increase power further and tow like a champ while keeping temps in check.  Your clutch may or may not like it depending on your driving habits. 

Edited June 30, 20204 yr by Bullet

Everything is back together.  The tunes I downloaded for the quad are working great with the injectors. The new hx35 has delivered 32 pounds of boost and I haven’t even put the pedal to the floor or dialed in the adjustable boost elbow.  And I threw on a pac brake for good measure!  Truck is a whole new machine.  Thanks to you all and this website for getting me through the scrapes over the years!

Edited July 17, 20204 yr by trailhead

Congrats on your triumph!  Enjoy your new toy! 

exhaust brakes are awesome!  saves the wheel brakes for sure and make downhills while towing a breeze.

Enjoy the new extended life brakes. I use my exhaust brake daily.