Hey all,

For those of you who have been debating about getting a Fastman TB, I wanted to pass along my experience. I have a '99 5.2 4x4 auto extended cab, 6ft bed. The only other performance oriented modification I have installed is an air intake system (Airaid). Everything else, including plugs, wires, cap, rotor, thermostat, exhaust, and all electrical (PCM included) are all stock.

-To begin with, communication with the Fastman, aka Dan Arcand at Premium Tool & Mfg was awesome. He took tons of time to answer the many questions I had about TB's and about Dodge Ram performance in general. He explained the process he uses, and what tests were done to determine the best TB for various applications.

-I ordered the TB, and it was mailed quickly. Not only did I get the reworked TB, he also sent new mounting bolts, and a new S bolt for use with your air hat (though it was to short to be used with my Airaid air hat).

-The Fastman recommended the 1.980 bore 50mm throttle body for my '99 5.2. Once I had the factory TB out I compared the two. The diameter of the bores seemed to be the same (as mesaured with an inside micrometer). On the factory TB, there are wings (best way I can think to describe them) that stand up around the bores on top, effectively making the depth of the bore longer. These are removed on the Fastman TB. The shaft appeared to be stainless steel, and it had brand new brass blades. It was so clean you could have eaten off it.

-Install took about an hour, and was very easy. The instructions that came with the kit were ok. If your not mechanically inclined, they would be good enough to get you through the install. It would be nice if the instructions also include info about what else you can/should do while the TB is off (like looking into your intake to see if you have oil or debris buildup on the bottom of the intake manifold, or making sure you clean off the idle motor sensor, etc...).

THE RESULTS
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-There is definite noticeable throttle responsiveness and low end ooommffff. Not outragious improvement, but noticiable.
-Surprisingly (at least to me), I feel the most noticiable improvements when I am applying light to medium throttle rather then full throttle.
-On hills, it feels less like it wants to bog down.
-No noticable change in the sound emitted through the air intake.

Overall, I am very happy with this upgrade so far. It produced a very noticable improvement that is worth the price paid. There are so many aftermarket performance mods on the market these days that promise huge results, and usually do not perform. Most are ridiculously expensive too. The Fastman TB is priced very resonably (ecspecially if you return your core) and does actually deliver. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their low end responsiveness.

Next week, I will see if I notice any difference on my usual daily drive to work, which includes city, highway, and large hills. I will update you with the results, and also tell you if there was any change in my mpg. Stay tuned.

 

Wanted to make one correction/clarification. I said:
This measurement came off the bottom of the bore below the blades. If you look at the top of the bore above the blades, the factory TB restricts inward. On the Fastman TB, this restrictive material is removed.

 

I did the Fastman 52mm upgrade last summer and loved it (still do), it was an awesome upgrade and I also recommend it to anyone who owns a ram.

On Reids truck, if you open the exhaust some with headers and a performance cat back setup, you'll notice far more gains than what you already have... I did the fastman upgrade as one of the last mods... I did the K&N kit, flowmaster dual out's (2.25 outs to keep the low end torque) and gibson headers. upgrading the TB by itself after the above mods was really eye opening. I love it!!!

What I'm really trying to say is with the TB upgrade, you need to make sure the rest of the system is flowing good to, otherwise your not going to get the most out of it.

 

I going to be ordering the exhaust either today or tomorrow (still haven't decided between the Flowmaster or the Magnaflow), and I have some headers all picked out, just need to order. I went ahead and did the TB because it has been sitting in my garage for about 2 weeks, and I couldn't wait any longer, too excited to get it installed.

I'll try to post my results when I get everything installed.

 

check these headers out... GSM Motorsports pricey but it looks like it is worth it w/the HP gains Vs the other headers...

BTW, I'm not sure what your truck is... but if you have a 4x4 and or QC/CC you might consider keeping the exhaust output restricted to 2.25 duals or 3" single outputs... (we may have coverd this already... sorry if we did, to many threads)

 

It is a '99 4x4 EC with 5.2. I'm getting a 3" single out. I debated about those GSM headers for awhile, but they are just a little too expensive I think. I'm pretty set on the pair of JBA headers i've picked out. Heard good things about them.

 

OUCH that's expensive... Our DF sponsor Southeast Performance had plans to come out with a set of high flow headers when I talked to him last fall. He's a hell of a nice guy, and a DF sponsor. Give him a call and see what he's come up with.

 

Persoanlly, I don't like to experiement with new products on the vehicle I depend on for daily commuting to work. I know others do, and more power to ya, but I prefer to stay with a company and a product that has been around a little while.
I have heard good things about the GSM headers, but looking at their website, most of their stuff seems to be geared towards the RT heads. I would like to see some real stats on how they perform on a 5.2 before I fork out that kind of cash. Plus, to stay with the 3" single out like I prefer to do, you have to also buy their custom y-pipe (another $239.00).

The headers I am looking at have 1 1/2" primarys. The GSM's have 1 3/4". I spoke with technicians at Edelbrock and JBA who both said anything over 1 1/2" on a 5.2 is too big. They said I would lose a lot of low end. What do you guys think about this?

 

Well, the guy that owns Southeast Performance has been building race engines for years. He seems to know his stuff. To each their own though.

 

Here is my gas mileage update. I got better gas mileage by not getting better gas mileage. Let me explain.

I usually averaged around 12 mpg when driving conservatively (9-10 when I drive normally). After installing the TB, i quickly developed a lead foot (because I really enjoyed the improved throttle response and low end torque). When I went to fill up the first time, I thought for sure I would be under 10mpg because I had been driving pretty hard. I was suprised to find that I was still at 12 (upper 12's no less). So, I think had I driven conservativley, I would have seen some increase.