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I have a 2001 CH613 with an e-7 400

around 800k on engine thar doesnt smoke and doesnt have excessive blow by.  I run AG commodities every day up and down hilly terrain in the northeast.

im running 85-90k about 4-500 miles per day and I’d like more power

dieseltuner out of Tennessee says he can reprogram my ECM to 525hp with no mechanical upgrades needed.

is this realistic and has anyone here done that?

thanks, Dan

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That's a lot to ask for from less than 12 litres. So no turbo or bigger nozzles? And no drive line upgrades for the extra torque ?? Just curious. Ive never done H.P. upgrades that high.  

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I am rusty, but gonna toss this out there. I beleive that the 400 had a straight cam key, and the 427&460 had the offset cam key.  It advances the cam 3 degrees. It will be a 2 day job, but if you are serious, this will add to a turbo, nozzles and ECM program.. like JoeH said... If your the only driver, then you will take care to not tear it up...  

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12 minutes ago, Shadyacresmack said:

I am the only driver yes and I definitely don’t want to tear it up.  It is doing the job currently but just very slowly on hills.  Would I feel a noticeable difference in pulling power in reality if I had it tuned to 454hp like the 460 factory setting?

Are you sure there isn't just something wrong with it ? 

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My experience with E7 engines is fantastic longevity, poor torque.  My experience with E6 engines (ENDT676 more specifically) is fantastic torque and power.  I had a 2001 ETECH 400 in 2015 and it was a dog, but it got where it was going.  1995 E7-350 we currently have is pretty good, but it doesn't have the torque to pull through hills.  Same as my 2003 AI-350.  They get up hills, but they don't get to the top very fast.  Reality is modern trucks have 20+ years of tech advancements and 2-3 extra liters of displacement.  This engine won't match that.

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7 minutes ago, JoeH said:

My experience with E7 engines is fantastic longevity, poor torque.  My experience with E6 engines (ENDT676 more specifically) is fantastic torque and power.  I had a 2001 ETECH 400 in 2015 and it was a dog, but it got where it was going.  1995 E7-350 we currently have is pretty good, but it doesn't have the torque to pull through hills.  Same as my 2003 AI-350.  They get up hills, but they don't get to the top very fast.  Reality is modern trucks have 20+ years of tech advancements and 2-3 extra liters of displacement.  This engine won't match that.

True. They'll never come close to a ISX or something big. They usually aren't terrible either.  90 K is a handful for one. Especially if the truck can reach speeds over 70 MPH.  They used to compensate for less engine torque with a lower axle , then give it lots of overdrive. 🤔 Maybe a stouter axle ratio is better money spent???

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On 5/30/2025 at 9:11 PM, Shadyacresmack said:

I have a 2001 CH613 with an e-7 400

@Shadyacresmack Is it the truck in the pic? It has 460 on the door. Engine or door swap, or did you mean 460? 460 to 525 with ECM tuning is possible, maybe. 400 to 525 with no hardware upgrades isn't.

Screenshot_20250603-195804.thumb.png.51c668fc2b263772598d7a2244c19288.png

 Is this old mate who's told you he can tune it 120hp+ with no hardware upgrades?

Personally, all I can see happening from a copy and paste tune, is that it'll burn up your engine, and your wallet. If he said " bring your truck in and we'll tune it on the dyno" then maybe you'll have half a chance at a decent result. 

Can't talk from experience, but by all accounts, Rochester or Antrim and maybe others, could get you sorted for injectors and turbo and make some good gains without loosing too much reliability. As Joey said, 400 to 460, pretty sure you'll be pulling the cam to swap keys, plus turbo and injectors. That is if you have a 400.

I'd start at the basics, check for boost leaks,  fuel pressure, valve clearance. Get it plugged in and verify the engine settings too. Have you got a boost pressure & pyro gauge in the truck, these readings can tell you a lot about what's going on if your down on power. I'd say their essential if your running in hilly country.

As mark said, diff ratio could be crippling you too, at 90k I wouldn't go taller than 4.3 diffs with a .73od box. I've got 4.56 in a 155k rated CLS 460 and even at 90k its not breaking any records. But it'll do it all day long regardless. 

Two things to remember, there ain't no replacement for displacement. And there ain't no free rides, you've gotta pay for the ponies. 

Adam

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Yes it is the truck in the pic. Original 460 I guess was problematic so when another truck with a good running engine had an accident they swapped the 460 to the 400 and the engine runs great and smooth, no blow by or smoke.  I just wish I had a bit more power in this hilly area.  Sounds like.  “ if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is”..

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Being an 01 it should be a ccrs engine and I thought cam key was the same on all HP If that is correct could you not just put your 460 turbo injectors and ECM from original motor onto the 400 you now have and have your 460 again 

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I don't remember the cut off dates between E-Tech and CCRS.  Guess i need to hit the books..🍻 for some reason im thinking 2002-2003 for CCRS..  

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