03-04.5 Common Rail

[RockinRam96]

So, I've half way been trying to sell my 96 ECLB 12 valve. I got a trade offer for a 03 1-ton, a 6-speed, 4x4, dually. I'm new to the common rail world since I've only owned a 12 valve and a VP truck.

So, my big question is what is the big difference between an 03-04.5 and a 04.5-05 common rail? ECM tuning? Injectors? What are the performance capabilities of an 03?

I'm thinking I'll keep my 12 valve just because I've always like the body style and I just like these old motors. But I've also always wanted a puller and thinking this may be a better candidate than my 12 valve since it is an auto. Thoughts?

 

[mikmaze]

pistons are different, spray angle is different, 2 injection events instead of three, generally better mpg, power potential is there without a doubt. Tuning options are different, as yet no efi live.

 

[ComnRailPwr]

I prefer 03/04 trucks. Seems their not as Moody as 04.5-06 trucks. My puller is an 03 of which I built a stand alone harness and run an 06 ECM for efilive data logging/tuning. I prefer the 03/04 pistons. Power potential is the same. Tuning is the same minus efilive for the earlier trucks at this point.

 

[crpower]

ECM and pcm if you have an auto is all in one on 04.5 and up I believe. My buddy has an 03 with a pcm on the firewall my 04.5 does not have that.


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[D45]

Some info I found:

2003-2004 trucks have an 8 hole nozzle

2004.5+ trucks have a 5 hole nozzle

Both trucks use a different piston bowl design also

555 5.9 and 6.7 injector nozzles have a wide spray angle due to a reentrant bowl design.

600/610 5.9 injector nozzles have a narrow spray angle due to the open non-reentrant bowl design.

555 motor: 143* injector spray impacts annular region of 113* piston bowl, concentrating combustion towards the piston dome. 8 hole nozzles with two injection events

600/610-series: 124* injector spray impacts central region of 140* piston dome, propagating combustion towards the cylinder wall. 5 hole nozzles with three injection events

Bowl volumes are only .7cc different (~1.5%), so the choice doesn't significantly impact compression ratio - every .005" of compressed gasket thickness or piston protrusion is just over 1cc.

Re-entrant combustion is more efficient, reduces thermal flux into the block & head, and allows better piston geometry - especially regarding the top ring land - to handle the heat & pressure