Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 1997 upgrades for towing

[JDS]

Hello guys, new to this have a few questions on some upgrades done. I have a 1997 3/4ton 4x4 w/stock auto trans. AFE filter, 4" turbo back exhaust with muffler TST #6 plate, boost elbow running 28#s boost and light smoke @ heavy acceleration. I am towing a 11,000 pound trailer at 62mph TC locked up 1900 RPM flat and level my EGT is running at 1000 deg. if I give it a little more throttle to keep my speed up it jumps to 1200 deg. quickly, I am making good power, just wondering is this normal or can I expect better by making some fine adjustments. Also what is the danger zone on EGT? Thank you for any help

 

[GAmes]

The light smoke tells you that all the fuel isn't being burned. The EGTs are telling you that you don't have enough air flow. Research upgrading your turbo and consider advancing the timing some. Also, as an FYI, the weight off the trailer matters little compared to the aerodynamic drag. An 11,000 pound gooseneck horse trailer will pull much easier than an 11,000 pound travel trailer and any headwind or crosswind will require more power as well. Also start saving your nickels & dimes. Your stock transmission won't be lasting very long with that much power.

 

[GrantP]

You're not going to solve the EGT issues with any fine adjustments. As GAmes stated you need more air. I spent a lot of years with my 97 12V with a #6 plate and always had to drive by the egt gauge with the stock turbo. Don't push it past 1200 for any sustained period. I'll second the notion that your transmission is not happy with your upgrades, mine died with 70k on it...about 20k after I put in a plate and GSK. It's easy to get power out of the 12V, but having reliable, sustainable power under load will cost $ to keep EGT's down and a transmission that can handle it.

That said...I still miss my 12V. It's a rude and crude and incredibly reliable torque monster....sniff....

 

[JDS]

Thank you for the information

 

[JMalik]

I tow a 29 ft Alpenlite with a load rating of 12,500 lbs with a 1956 Dodge, 3.54 dif. , Banks power pack, HTT manifold, HT35 hybrid turbo, 47RE S3 converter, Mag Hytec pans and engine high temperature valve inserts. My EGT's have often been running in the 1250 deg F as I pull western hills and my engine power is EGT limited. I had to rework the low temperature transmission line because it still had plastic retainers at 250,000miles. During that time I took a good look at the transmission coolant system and observed that the transmission cooler was positioned over the intercooler final stage. Seemed like a bad deal to me so I installed a pre-cooler inline with the transmission cooler. I now can pull western grades with my trailer at 50 mph without my EGT's getting in the way. I still have to manage my EGT's carefully pulling long grades but I have more power to work with.

 

[fox]

50-60 mph is a bad speed range for the auto trans. Not enough rpm for OD and too much for 3rd.
Try it at 65-70. Mine does much better, same EGT.
But I m running more fuel and air I am using a super B Most likely there are better towing turbos now.
Also make sure the radiator is clean.