Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) KDP guessing game and up'in HP

[Diesel Fever]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knew a "quick" way to check to see if your truck already had a KDP prevention kit installed or not, or is the only way to tear down and see. I have no documentation about it, but i'm still not sure. Also my truck is a 1997 cummins, and if i remember correctly I have 215 injectors. Could I make 300 hp with just a #10 plate (or carefully customize mine) and not harm or torch anything? I already have an aFe stage 2 intake and 5" straight pipe. Thanks.



Truck details:

1997 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW SLT ext. cab 4:10 gears in rear cummins 12-valve NV4500 5 spd 4x4, 148k mi, AFE stage 2 cold air intake with Pro-Guard 7 filter, silencer ring gone, 5" straight pipe 6" tip, fleetguard fuel/oil filters, soon to come 6 BF Goodrich 285/55 mud-terrain tires , and much much more to come.

 

[RHestand]

I asked the same question before I did my KDP on my 98.

From all the info. I got, you can't tell if the tab has been installed.

There is a fix you can do with the KDP jig, (It is passed around, member to member here TDR. ) that you can see from the outside. (IMO, not as good as the tab)

There is a lot of info. on this, if you do a search here on TDR.

Good Luck, Ray

PS. Let me be the first welcome you to the TDR.

 

[Diesel Fever]

Thank you, yeah i'm still gettin the hang of this site, think i'm gettin it down, and I have done a few searches so they do help out. Thanks for the info and help man.

 

[hsmith]

I'm thinking I remember your truck and mine with the 10 plate does around 300 hp. I have a chart somewhere.

 

[USMCBay]

Grind your stock plate to a 100... I had a 10 and really like the 100 homeground version. Also get a 3k GSK (Govorner Spring Kit) and INSTALL IT FROM THE SIDE. You will wake up your Cummins and wonder what happened to your old truck. It will give you a whole new kick in the pants. The 4k is no different if you don't go into that range... and you shouldn't IMHO.

Slide everything toward your Fan... that helps up to an add'l 125hp.



Have fun. Sell everything thats not tied down and put it into your truck for some fast legal fun. :-laf

 

[Forrest Nearing]

it's about a $40 job to tab the KDP with a new front seal... very easy to do, and cheap insurance if you're not sure

 

[edgeman]

On the fuel plate issue I took mine right out and every one is right... where did my old truck go... alot more snot and will break the duals loose in 3rd gear rolling! That is amaizing compared to what it used to do... .

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

No check is absolute, but two indications would be these: if the gear case is bare aluminum, it has probably been replaced with a new gear case that has a retaining ring to contain the dowel pin. If the stamped steel gear case cover has RTV sealer gooped at the edges, it has probably been removed and resealed. The factory used no RTV in that year on the cse side of the gasket, and a minimal amount on the cover side. Perhaps 1% of the owners are TDR members and while most of them know about the dowel pin issue, most non-members do not, unless their pin came out and broke the gear case. The TST #11 torque plate will give about 280 HP with the stock turbo, and about 300 if you replace the stock 12 sq. cm. turbine housing with a 16 sq. cm. housing. You will need the bigger housing or a bigger turbo to keep egt's in check with any more power than that. The #10 will give about 350 HP and 860 ft lb torque, far too much for a stock clutch.

 

[Diesel Fever]

Very useful information guys much appreciated, thank you all for your advice.

No check is absolute, but two indications would be these: if the gear case is bare aluminum, it has probably been replaced with a new gear case that has a retaining ring to contain the dowel pin. If the stamped steel gear case cover has RTV sealer gooped at the edges, it has probably been removed and resealed. The factory used no RTV in that year on the cse side of the gasket, and a minimal amount on the cover side. Perhaps 1% of the owners are TDR members and while most of them know about the dowel pin issue, most non-members do not, unless their pin came out and broke the gear case. The TST #11 torque plate will give about 280 HP with the stock turbo, and about 300 if you replace the stock 12 sq. cm. turbine housing with a 16 sq. cm. housing. You will need the bigger housing or a bigger turbo to keep egt’s in check with any more power than that. The #10 will give about 350 HP and 860 ft lb torque, far too much for a stock clutch.

Where can i find a bigger housing for the turbo? would it be a Cummins part? or is it a different manufactorer and how hard is it to just make the housing swap, any special tools needed? Thanks again.