Issue 61 is in the mail! This letter from TDR Member, Tim Murphy, is an excellent lead in to discuss TDR Issue 61:
I have subscribed to the TDR since 2002 when I bought my truck. To me, it is the bible for our Dodge Cummins rigs. I have reviewed articles and read through the forums to get some insight into the timing of fuel delivery to improve fuel mileage. I have no interest in getting more power out of the engine. I would like to maintain reliability and longevity. I plan on towing a 25' trailer of about 4,000 - 6,000 lbs.
My truck is a '02 4x4, auto, 3.54 rear end, short bed. I have full gauges including fuel pressure, EGT, boost and tranny temp; an ATS exhaust manifold, 4" exhaust, and soon to purchase intake manifold.
Do you have any recommendations to improve my mileage while maintaining reliability?
Thanks in advance.
Tim Murphy TDR Member
Tim, as you can imagine, fuel mileage is the topic that dominates the correspondence here at the Turbo Diesel Register. Besides the obvious (air pressure in tires, clean air filters, removal of excess weight, etc.) we focused TDR Issue 61 on cost-effective solutions. We start Issue 61 with a revisit of placebo parts. The text should serve to entertain and make you laugh.
Then we move into a look at the timing of fuel delivery. The article about fuel mileage and timing does not specifically discuss the Edge product. But it does give the reader some test data from Mark Chapple at TST Products showing the positive MPG effects that timing can have on your engine. Additionally, you'll read Marco Castano's [MADS (Smarty) Electronics] comments that timing may net a 1 - 1.5 MPG gain. See our Technical Topics article, "It's About the (Fuel) Economy, Stupid."
What else is in Issue 61?
- In the search for fuel economy, TDR Writer Joe Donnelly discusses engine timing and gives the readers the "How To" for models '89 up to '07 engines.
- There is ample discussion about the new 6.7-liter engine that resulted from open house meetings that Cummins conducted in April and May. We captured the correspondence in our "Cummins Column."
- Product evaluations on Pacbrake, Transfer Flow, ATS, Turbo Re-Source and Scan Gauge products.
- The annual TDR index.
- An invitation to submit your photographs for the 2009 TDR Calendar.
I hope you enjoy Issue 61 and continue to spread the word about the Turbo Diesel Register.
TDR Issue 60 was mailed from our printer's facility from April 28 - May 2, 2008. Please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery to your doorstep.
Issue 60's theme: we are celebrating 15 years of the Turbo Diesel Register. When the magazine arrives at your doorstep, you may be polarized by its art deco cover. On the inside, you'll find a surprise or two or three.
What can you expect in Issue 60? This anniversary issue sparked the creative efforts of Greg Whale as he composed a quiz for the TDR audience. How much TDR/Dodge/Cummins trivia do you know? Find out by taking Greg's "Are You A Diesel Dufus?" quiz on page 116, or take it online by clicking here: Are you a Diesel Dufus? Hey, there are prizes involved, so get busy and take the quiz.
Greg's quiz required back issue research, and I was also forced to go back to an old magazine in an effort to understand the plight of the aftermarket performance vendors in the new world of NOx and particulate emission control for the 6.7-liter engine. Blending old information with new, you'll find my report on page 50.
- Joe Donnelly does a follow-up on compound turbochargers.
- Holmes, Dalgleish, and Leno evaluate new products.
- Whale, St. Laurent, Mikonis and Patton review the new 2009 Dodge Ram.
- Whale, Freund, Patton and Cameron give you something to think about in their discussions on diesels, fuel mileage, diesel prices and government mandates.
Finally, your 2008 TDR Member decal is inserted into the cover wrap. I am hopeful it finds a place alongside your 2007 decal that was already prominently displayed on your truck.
Thank you to all of the TDR membership for your unyielding support over these many years.
OK, we've got another fun contest coming up in early May, so we're going to post something easy for the next two weeks.
Let's give away another $100 fuel card.
To be included, all you have to do is post a list of what's lurking in the bed of your truck. (Hint: since we won't be auditing your entries, we're really looking for fun reading here.)
Keep it clean and fun, please.
We'll draw one lucky winner from all of the entries on Sunday, May 4.
And keep your eyes open for our next fun contest. We're hoping (if we can get some software snags ironed out) to post it in early May.
Happy posting!
Robin TDR Admin
* * * Updated May 5, 2008
And the winner of this $100 diesel fuel card is . . .
JGrefenstette
Your prize will be mailed out today! Congratulations.
Now, I don't normally do this, but I'm throwing in an additional $50 diesel fuel card just because I can to . . .
Mopar Tim
I so enjoyed those photographs! Good luck putting that thing back together (snicker).
We have added a new area on the website where you can recognize TDR Members who render assistance to you or other TDR Members when stranded while on the road, TDR - Distinguished Recognition (TcDR). The Travel Companion is a great tool. Remember to take it with you when you travel.
We will have an online form added soon to make the recognition process simple. In the meantime, send any incidents of TcDR to us via mail or email:
* * * You’re creative. We know it because we’ve read your posts on the Turbo Diesel Register website. So let’s put your originality to work. You provide the slogan, and we’ll put it into production.
It is easy.
Step 1. Get creative and come up with your best Dodge/Cummins Turbo Diesel truck (or related) slogan.
Step 2. Post your entry on the Turbo Diesel Regiser website. Entries will be accepted from March 17 – 31, 2008.
Step 3. Geno’s Garage staff will be asked to review all entries and select their favorites for final judging.
Step 4. Slogans selected as finalists will be listed for TDR Membership voting from April 1 – 5, 2008.
Step 5. Winning slogan(s) will be announced on April 6, 2008.
Step 6. Sit back and wait. If your slogan was selected by the TDR Members, your 50 decals will be shipped to you.
Very Simple Rules:
• Submissions must be appropriate for family and friends • Submissions can be made by TDR Members only • Submissions must be relevant to our audience
Examples:
• It's all about the Cummins. • How many roads does a man have to travel down before he admits he is lost? • Forget world peace. Visualize using your turn signal. • Life is too short to drive an ugly truck. • Missing: Husband and Truck. Reward for Truck. • Yeah, it’s got a Cummins.
TDR - Magazine
Issue 61 is in the mail! This letter from TDR Member, Tim Murphy, is an excellent lead in to discuss TDR Issue 61:
printer version
TDR Issue 60 was mailed from our printer's facility from April 28 - May 2, 2008. Please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery to your doorstep.
OK, we've got another fun contest coming up in early May, so we're going to post something easy for the next two weeks. 
visit site
We have added a new area on the website where you can recognize TDR Members who render assistance to you or other TDR Members when stranded while on the road, TDR - Distinguished Recognition (TcDR). The Travel Companion is a great tool. Remember to take it with you when you travel.
We need your help selecting the very best of about 300 entries! Click here to vote for your favorite: