Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) ok, lets beat a dead horse for a while

[why165]

i have a 97 3500 4 wheel drive with a nv4500, its all stock. i am fixing to drop a few thousand dollars in it. say 5 to7 thousand, all in the motor. i want, dont need, just want. 500 or so horse power. now the fun part, i use this truck on a farm. Pull, haul, or tow this truck does it all and it only moves it if it is heavy. tractors, hay ,livestock. normal farm life. now how do i get the power i want and not lose the use of this truck. thanks, matt

 

[fest3er]

Oh. How disappointing. I thought this would be a misplaced political thread.

 

[JDKammin]

First thing, you need to upgrade your clutch. That will cost a couple thousand. I think most people are going to tell you that the easiest way to reach your goal will be with a set of twin turbos. There are kits that allow you to use your stock turbo, which will keep the cost down. You will need some injector and pump work to support the extra air. You are going to want to o-ring and stud the head, so you do not have head gasket problems. You will need good flowing air filter, if it does not come with the twin turbo kit, as well as a good flowing exhaust system. I would eliminate the fuel supply system to the injection and install an AirDog or similar setup.

 

[SRath]

Save a few bucks for the 5th gear fix if it has not already been done!

 

[ttbird]

Don"t forget gauges before engine mods. !

 

[Grizzly]

I'd take that 5 to 7 thousand $ plus whatever you can get for the 97 and get you a 3rd gen H. O. with an NV5600 6 sp tran. Besides, there's no way an God's green earth you need 500 HP.

 

[Flying_gage]

I'd take that 5 to 7 thousand $ plus whatever you can get for the 97 and get you a 3rd gen H. O. with an NV5600 6 sp tran. Besides, there's no way an God's green earth you need 500 HP.

I have the same exact truck except it is a 96. I "get it" so to speak and would love to have the discretionary spending on mine!



There is no way I would take that money and my truck and sink it into a new one! There is just a certain aesthetic value to my truck the new ones don't have.



If it were my money, I would use it to go through the truck and rebuild the wear items such as: Axles, transmission and whatnot... Maybe then throw some money at some gauges, 3k spring kit, injectors and maybe a bigger turbo. .



Go for it and enjoy!

 

[Grizzly]

I have the same exact truck except it is a 96. I "get it" so to speak and would love to have the discretionary spending on mine!



There is no way I would take that money and my truck and sink it into a new one! There is just a certain aesthetic value to my truck the new ones don't have.



If it were my money, I would use it to go through the truck and rebuild the wear items such as: Axles, transmission and whatnot... Maybe then throw some money at some gauges, 3k spring kit, injectors and maybe a bigger turbo. .



Go for it and enjoy!

I bought a 95 Dodge new and had it for 10 years and loved every mile of it. In 05 I bought an 05, 3rd gen and love it twice as much. I don't mean to put down the 2nd gen Dodge because they are a great truck , but there is a huge improvement in the 3rd gen Dodge.

 

[JDKammin]

I have a 96 with the 12 valve and an 04 with the common rail. Yes, the 04 is a much improvement, but I still love the 12 valve. I like to get my hands dirty and make power the hard way.

 

[GAmes]

If you make that much HP and corresponding TQ you will be breaking NV4500s pulling heavy. With only 297/611 on a dyno 500,000 miles ago I've managed to grenade 4 and have replaced a few others with drivable damage. I'm probably back to stock ratings by now but I've finally got serious about a 6 speed upgrade.

 

[hsmith]

Well now Gary, how can you test the G56 with only "stock" hp?? LOL
I really like my setup now. Tows great with almost no smoke at all and egt's are seldom a problem. Gonna leave it alone for now.
BTW, I am really careful now to push the drivetrain to reach cruising speed which I have lowered to 65 max.

 

[MLee]

If I had the 4K, a six speed would be the best up grade. there is a hole in the five speed that needs addressing, and the six is the answer. Along with doing the clutch. Then play with the HP. This can be done pretty cheap.