PDR35 report and driving the DTT Auto

[SNOKING]

We are in the first week of a 7 week RV trip. Currently in Bozeman, Mt, so I have had a chance to test the PDR35/12W turbo upgrade from last years HY35. EGTs seem to be in much better check, but I still have to drive the pyro gauge. In overdrive I have enough power to run EGT past 1200, in 3rd I seem to be pulling good size passes at 51-52 MPH at 1100 degrees.

I thought I might take a minute to talk about how I drive the DTT tranny and smart controller. I have the power to the smart controller and Banks brake on an old style headlight switch for my left foot.

I manually drive the OD button towing and have the controller set to shift up at around 43 MPH, but again do not allow it to up shift until around 55 MPH when coming up to speed. Note Truck and Trailer scale at 19K+. If I set it to auto select OD at the same 55 range it creates driving issues while slowing down. NOTE Lock to Lock shifts are FIRM!!!!!! So when slowing and on the exhaust brake in OD and ready to go a gear lower, I give it a little throttle as I punch it out of OD and then go back on the Exhaust brake. If the smart controller is set in the mid 50's then the auto downshift out of OD is to ruff, AKA very firm!!!!

If I need to go down into 2nd gear coming down a hill then, I turn the smart controller off (foot switch), shift down and they turn the power back on, to go onto the exhaust brake. Upshifting from 2nd manually to third works alot better with the smart controller off also, as I think that this could break something. I have billet input and 2nd gear cage, but output shaft is stock.

Mileage with the new VP44 is in the 12.5 MPG range so far.

So all of this gives we something to do while driving. BTW the hill down into Lewiston ID on 95 South is a good test of the exhaust brake. Went down into 2nd of the bottom part.

SNOKING