Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) #11 Plate and AFC spring kit installed....

[CCiatteo]

First thanks to the board for the absolute wealth of info and experiences which is invaluable to a newbie like myself.



Well tonight I installed the #11 plate and the AFC spring kit. Surprisingly, everything went pretty smooth, and took about 3 hours, going slow and taking extra care. I had to use the chisel method on the break off bolts, and that was the scariest part, because the access to the break of bolt on AFC housing is pretty limited due to all the fuel lines running over top of it. Once past that hurdle then I used the TST jig to position the new plate (which puts the plate in the stock position?), replaced the factory AFC spring with the medium spring from the TST Kit and adjusted it per the instructions. Then reinstalled the AFC housing (full forward, per the instructions) hooked everything back up. Primed the fuel system and she kicked right over.



Now for the test, was this all worth it? My observations are generally positive and I made no attempts at playing with the star wheel or plate position as it was already late. So with some fine tuning maybe there is more to be had:



+The truck has more snap in 3rd,4th and 5th. I can cruise at 70 and have throttle left for passing without winding it up like a top, so that is good. In fact I seem to be able to cruise at a given speed with less throttle than before... so bonus.



+Max boost is now around 25psi and EGT's are still under 1000 (pre-turbo), seem about right? More smoke throughout the rpm range, but mainly at shift points, so this perfectly acceptable to me. Not looking to be the mosquito machine or black out the sun:-laf



+The rpm's seem to climb faster in every gear and I think I picked up usable rpm from maybe 2200-2500+/-, whereas before the motor fell flat in this range, so this is good.



+I felt no signs of clutch slippage or any other driveline calamities from the additional power, good thing.



-The one noticeable drawback is that now I can't just let the clutch out in 1st gear or the truck will stall. I have to give it just a bit of fuel to slip the clutch out. Prior to the install, you could just let the clutch out without any problems (running empty), so I am a little disappointed by this, but again it might be a tuning issue. It was dark out so it was tough to see how much smoke I was really putting out. Any ideas?



I am still debating on the 3KGSK, I really think it would help (maybe with the plate slid full forward?), but I'll try this setup for awhile and see how it does.



This weekend I will tab the KDP.



Then get the timing bumped to 15. 5 and that's it all done.



Then start to tend to other maintainance issues that I would like to take care of; new batteries and possibly relocate them too, typical fuel sender issue, fuel pressure guage install, remove fuel heater and replace fuels lines as preventative thing, new shocks... ... . does it ever end?



Thanks again

 

[GAmes]

What is your idle speed? With the A/C on it should be about 800. No other reason I can think of for it to stall. I really like my 3K spring kit. More than likely you will have to adjust the idle when you put it in also. I have my #11 full forward. You may want to try different positions to see how you like the power difference.

 

[CCiatteo]

My idle speed is about 600 rpms or so without the A/C on. A/C is non functional right now, so I can't set it per your recommendation. The idle could be a tad low, because it takes a little bit of pedal for the truck to start on the first hit of the starter.



I drove it to work today and the smoke is not a problem at all, only slightly more than stock, unless you stand on it under load, then it will huff a some. Going down the highway is sooo much better. Plenty of power and plenty of throttle left for passing without being all wound out. The 3-4 shift is better, less rpm drop. I plan on going a full load of fuel, checking milage, then maybe go full forward and work my back to stock position using the my power/mpg relationship as a guide. The GSK kit in going in, because there is still more left it feels like, but runs out of rpm.



This was a nice little upgrade in that I got to see inside the pump and I am a see it, feel it to understand it kind of person... . so it was easy to do and kinda shed some light on things.



Thanks for advice.

 

[ata]

Your idle should be 850 without AC on. The engine will start faster and should not stall.

 

[JacobsD]

Yeah your idle is way low. But thats okay, mine is way low too. I kind of like it, kinda sounds like you can hear each injection out the exhaust :-laf I put a hand throttle with a lock on there too so I can adjust the idle from inside the cab.

The 3k spring kit is a good deal you won't regret. I noticed a world of difference when I did mine.

 

[GAmes]

I start mine with a little throttle too, idle speed at 800 with no A/C is the low side. The 3K GSK will let you go to about 3500 rpm before defueling.

 

[hsmith]

Gary, I see you have the 11 full forward. How are the egt's towing? I am now running a 10 centered and may go back to the 11 or move mine back a little. Mine really pulls good, but some time I have to back out of it to stay below 1200.

Smitty

 

[GAmes]

If I wanted I could easily peg my gauge. I tow with my boost gauge, 20 max. It keeps my EGTs in check, and hopefully will make my transmissions last longer than 100k. I've been thinking about sliding the plate back a little. If I'm in cruise sometimes the throttle stays full on after cresting a hill and excels me to 70 from 62. I think that the rack is sticking/binding at full throttle. It my have been the old lift pump, but I can't exceed 20 lbs in 5th gear anymore when pulling. I'll find out when I go back to work (after the 4th of July).

 

[hsmith]

Guess I am not too bad then, as I don't remember ever getting close to pegging my gauge.

Thanks

 

[CCiatteo]

Today I did some hauling for the first time with the plate. (8) 4'x8' sheets of 1/8" thick steel diamond plate. I figure roughly around 1200lbs in the bed, not a huge load by any means. The first time since owning the truck I hit 1000 degrees pre turbo, but that was on a long stready climb from a standing start. She went right up the hill no problem..... I love the #11 plate more and more each day. Fuel mileage was 19. 63 mpg (489 on 24. 9 gallons), can't complain at all.....



I love this truck.....