Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 12v engine dilemma

[MJB]

I AM WONDERING IF THE CUMMINS UPRATE KIT (I. E. NEW P7100 INJECTION PUMP AND NEW FUEL INJECTORS FOR $2500) VERSUS THE TST #8 FUEL PLATE AND GOVERNOR SPRINGS REPLACED FOR A WHOLE LOT LESS MONEY AS THEY WOULD BOTH BRING MY 97 CTD 2500 WITH 3. 54 LSD & AUTO TRANS W/4WD TO 235 H. P. AND 605 FT. LBS. TORQUE, FROM THE ORIGINAL 180 H. P. AND 420 FT. LBS; TST ADVERTISES THAT THIS POWER RATING IS JUST BELOW MAX SPECS ADVISED FOR A STOCK POWERTRAIN AND CUMMINS WEBSITE BASICALLY STATES THE SAME THING. IS THERE ONE ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHER ? I WOULD THINK THAT THERE THERE IS A LOT LESS 'SURGERY' UNDER HOOD WITH THE TST CONVERSION. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN BULLETPROOF FOR 113,000+ MILES. I AM LOOKING TO GO TO 235/605 FROM THE ORIGINAL 180/420 CONSIDERING JUMPING TO THE NEW 325/600 IS GOING TO COST $37,000 AND UP !! I THINK I WOULD MISS THE 'ORIGINAL' CUMMINS CLATTER, ESPECIALLY MY NEIGHBORS WHEN i LEAVE AT 6AM IN THE MORNINGS !

ANY INFO/FEEDBACK WOULD BE APPRECIATED

THANKS,

MIKE

 

[ndurbin]

might want to lay off the caps.



that aside, go with the TST plate and gov. springs. The $2500 dollars can go alot farther than a new pump and injectors.

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

Hey Mike. Welcome to the TDR. Go the TST route with the governer springs. It'l feel like a new truck and you'll have saved about 36. 5 grand (not to mention the tax)... . First thing you should do is take care of your killer dowel pin. 97s are notorious for spitting them out . Don't put it off. Good luck.

 

[MJB]

thanks for the info guys, i was leaning towards the TST modifications and i'll take the 700 mile drive and have them do the KDP repair also as i like the kit they bolt in versus the jig, drill and tap procedure (with metal filings possibly getting into gears) as was mentioned elsewhere. that KDP situation has got me nervous and i don't feel like gambling with a possible $3000+

repair and local garages including the Dodge dealers will all work on V8 & V10's but they all want to seem to shy away from any and all diesel work. from what i've read from the TDR forums TST Performance is reputable and straight shooting and i'll take the hop.

 

[53 Willys]

I would go the TST route and put the diference toward beefing up the drive train. Then you can go for even more power

 

[corprimo]

I put a TST plate in my '97 and soon had to put in a tougher Torque Convertor and valve body as the stock transmission couldn't handle the extra power.

 

[John_P]

MJB:



When I started the BOMBING process on my 96' 12 valve

a few years ago, I had the #8 TST plate and the 3K Gov.

Spring Kit and my truck went 230 H. P. /650 Torque on a

Mustang Dynomometer. At that time, my 47RE auto transmission

was stock with the exception of a "Trans-Go" Shift Kit

and higher line pressures.



Anyway, I thought this would give you some "comparison"

numbers for what you are trying to do.



Good luck!



---------

John_P

 

[champspa]

I went with the plate and the boost fitting for 300 bucks back in 99. I made that decision and havn't regretted it yet . Had 30k on odometer then and 165k now . My kit had come in at Cummins Atlantic and one of the owners asked me why didn't I get the Plate and elbow. that is when I discovered TDR also.

 

[MJB]

THANKS FOR ALL THE FEEDBACK AND EXPIERIENCE GUYS, GOT TO MAKE THAT APPOINTMENT WITH TST PERFORMANCE ASAP !!

MIKE

 

[Turbo Thom]

And why do you insist on the caps... ... very annoying.