250 HP Torque plate is in! Questions (Piers, get in here!)

[Scollins]

WooHoo! I bought a 250 hp torque plate at the BD Dyno Day. They were quite busy, so I didn't have them install it and tweak the setup. So, when I got home, it was time to dig in... ... .

Got the plate installed fine. I put the plate in the middle of the slot, and slid the AFC housing all the way forward. I have not installed the boost elbow yet, I just left my clamp in place (effectively eliminating wastegate operation. ) Buttoned her up and took her for a spin. Here are my observations:

More power? YOU BETCHA! Enough? HELL NO! #ad


Smoke? Lots of black smoke when I mash the accelerator. Smoke is still present after a few seconds at full throttle, but the volume is less. Didn't seem too bad, especially considering what I saw at Dyno Days! #ad


Boost? It topped out at 38 PSI, which I think might be too much??

EGT? Oh BABY, have I got a problem here. At full throttle, the EGT QUICKLY climbs to 1200 degrees plus. Go up a hill at full throttle, and I can hit 1300 before I chicken out and back out of the loud pedal. Also, at idle, the exhaust coming out of the tailpipe is uncomfortably hot to the hand at 24".

My air filter is still the stock paper element, so I know that I could probably lower the EGT's a little with a high flow unit. Also, I'm running 3" exhaust, no cat, and a Dynomax Ultra Flo muffler. I don't really want to upgrade to a 4" exhaust, just yet. Also, is the boost causing too much fueling, and thus too high EGT's?

I can't imagine having that plate all the way forward, with the housing forward too. Maybe I'll go try that while I wait... #ad


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Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 Valve Cummins. Slightly BOMBed! #ad

Renton, WA

[This message has been edited by Scollins (edited 04-21-2001). ]

 

[John_P]

Scott:

Good report! It sounds like you are in
the same situation now as alot of the
other members including me, more H. P.
and more HEAT! I installed a "Psychotty"
Air Filter on my truck which helped
lower the EGT's by 150 degrees. Like
you, I still have to watch the EGT's
but they don't seem to get there as
fast. Also, you may want to consider
a 16cm housing for you turbo or maybe
an HX-40.

-------
John_P

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Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Major Pump Mods(By "Scheid Diesel") 370 Diamond B Injectors, Gov. Spring kit, AFC Spring kit, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit,Psychotty Air Filter, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, BD Pressure Loc, Isspro Gauges, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

[John Dimartino]

By blocking the wastegate,I would think that you are pushing the drive pressure way up,since it isnt opening,allowing air around the turbine housing. I had a 250 plate in a 96 auto,with the exhaust "declawed"bye bye kitty,and never had an EGT problem,it would peak at 1250-1300in the manifold ,and 30 PSI boost. try the fitting,and un rig your wastgate for haha's.

 

[RWorth]

I recently installed the TST #11 280 HP plate and wasn't really impressed. Put the new plate in the stock position and boost would barely reach the 30 psi mark at WOT and EGT would barely reach the 1000 deg mark. I feel that the DiPricol gauge is pretty accurate. I have been monitoring the EGT's for about 8 months prior to the install of the plate. Talk to several like Joe D. and others, Andy R. , who replied to my post and they all said that just because you put the new plate in the stock position doesn't mean you won't have to do some fine tuning of the plate position. So I took their advice and made sure the plate was straight and then moved the plate forward about . 020 and buttoned everything backup and went for a spin. Wow what a difference . 020 movement forward would make. Now the boost is hitting 34 psi but the EGT,s are still a bit below what everyone else is seeing 1100 deg. I still have some more adjusting to do to get the full potential. It looks as if the plate is in the middle but hard to tell due to the flat washers on the mounting screws. It's a pretty neat feeling when a set of 305/R70's can leave a 6ft. long black mark the tach hits 3000 and when you hammer the throttle again in 2nd gear the tires leave some more black marks. I am now happier with the purchase of the plate and when I can find more time I will adjust the plate some more to see if I can improve the power a little more.

Have a great Lord's Day

[This message has been edited by ROG (edited 04-22-2001). ]

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Scollins,

You have a strong injection pump on your truck. It sure is pushing the fuel. I wish I had yours. #ad
.

It may be time to look into a 4" exhaust and a 16cm2 turbo exhaust housing. Advancing the timing would drop EGT some too.

------------------
Bill R
94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust, Autometer Pyro, Boost & Water temp gauges, Bosch 215 HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7º, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit, Scotty Air, Bully Dog Propane Injection, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Optima Red Tops, Geno's Exhaust Blanket, Espar Heater (won it!), Synthetic lubes throughout.

Coming Spring of '01: DD III's, Majestic prepped HX-40, ATS Pulse Exhaust Manifold, High flow delivery valves, Gov spring kit.

 

[Piers]

Hi Scott,
You must remember your pump was tweeked a little before hand #ad
, so adding the fuel plate will give you more than what it is normally rated for. Install the bleed orfice & then start moving the plate back . 015" at a time until you reach a happy medium. Or talk you wife into letting you buy a better turbo, bigger intercooler, water injection, yada yada yada #ad

 

[Scollins]

Originally posted by Piers:
Hi Scott,
You must remember your pump was tweeked a little before hand #ad
, so adding the fuel plate will give you more than what it is normally rated for.

Now I really need to get this thing on a dyno! #ad


I couldn't do a whole lot of testing today, as it was raining. REAL easy to break the tires loose when they are wet! #ad
I just the left the plate alone, but I will put in the bleed orifice tonight or tomorrow.

I wonder how long my stock transmission with 106,000 miles will last... ... The next big question, go with BD's new converter or DTT's. I'll probably need the full meal deal, and not just the VB and TC. I better start saving my pennies now... ..... #ad



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Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 Valve Cummins. Slightly BOMBed! #ad

Renton, WA

[This message has been edited by Scollins (edited 04-23-2001). ]

 

[John]

Originally posted by Scollins:
The next big question, go with BD's new converter or DTT's?

Scott, you drove Ean's DTT modified 12v Ram at the next to the last NW BOMBer get together... you tell me which way you think you should go. Bob Wagner has a similar setup to Ean's (91% TC/"Medium" VB) and I have the DTT 93% TC in my Ram. Between the three of us you should be able to test drive them and discuss ALL the attributes of the DTT system. BTW, the DTT system is unlike any other on the market, it is truly custom tuned to you and your Ram... not a one-size-fits-all approach.



------------------
John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps and accs. , Mag-Hytec diff. cover & DD trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass w. trick billet block adapter and Aeroquip Teflon-s/s hoses, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s and DD TTPM, Aeroquip AQP s/s fuel hoses, tricked out Cummins valve cover, tricked out Banks High-Ram intake manifold and 14 cm2 turbine housing w/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , DTT 93% TC, DTT custom tuned VB, BD modified trans. front pump (enhanced by DTT), Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

NRA Life (Patron) member

 

[Bob Wagner]

Scott when it come to the auto transmission there is only one choice DTT Bill's VB & TC are awesome. shoot me an email and we can set up a test drive #ad


My neighbor came over Sunday morning to drive my New TRUCK #ad
BTW he has a 99 RAM you should have seen the smile on his face after driving less than a 1/4 mile he can't believe the performance difference.

Guess What? he's already ordering the DTT 91% VB and TC .

Bill K is an expert when it comes to these transmission.

The return drive from Abbotsford was awesome #ad



<font color = red>With your mods the stock transmission will be toast in short order</font>


[This message has been edited by Bob Wagner (edited 04-23-2001). ]

 

[Scollins]

Well, I put the boost elbow in, and I now max out at 34 PSI. Got to do a little "testing" today, but not a lot.

I can make the EGT gauge move about as fast as the boost gauge! OUCH! I can get to 1300* quickly, but I keep running out of room to stay in the throttle to see where it will top out. I need to find a long, level stretch of road to see what my 0-60 times are.

Next question: Is the drop-in K&N filter worth it, or should I go something else? Psychotty? Custom? Other? Come on guys, help me spend some more money! #ad


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Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 Valve Cummins. Slightly BOMBed! #ad

Renton, WA

[This message has been edited by Scollins (edited 04-24-2001). ]

 

[redram]

Scott,

I've got an Amsoil stock filter for a 12 Valve Second Gen (94-98) that I would sell.

Cost me 45 and I used it one year.

I went to the K & N filter. Just liked the way it sealed better in my air cleaner box.

RedRam

To each his own I guess, Bob.


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[Bob Wagner]

Scott go one better than the K&N use the Amsoil TS-106

The Amsoil is around $40. 00 and is twice the quality of the K&N

just my 2&#162 #ad

 

[SMorneau]

Ask your Amsoil dealer to show you the video where they test various filters and then decide. I think you will find it enlightening. The Amsoil filter in my 96 seals very nicely if you set it in place carefully and put the cover on without disturbing it. Oil analysis has not revealed any trouble with dirt.

 

[Hootguy]

Here we go again,,,more Amsoil praises,,,,funny how Amsoil always has some kind of video or test result to prove how their product is better,,,,but they still can`t compete with the big guys... .
My K&N has been in for 100,000 and no dirt on the vanes and no problems,,,

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blacked out,96 3500,black,ext cab,KMC Slam,chrome aluminum wheels,continuous wheel balancers,Diesel Dynamics fuel plate and AFC kit,16cm housing,Bill Kondolay DTT torque converter and valve body,K&N filter,Mag-Hy-tek transmission and diff covers,Isspro triple pillar gauges,60 gallon transfer tank,Rld topper,

 

[Timinator]

Proof sucks. Comparisons are not fair. I hate it when that happens. Although our trucks do hold some religious significance to us, I will not take good performance on faith. that's what oil analyses are for. Your mileage may vary.

[This message has been edited by Tim Barlow (edited 05-03-2001). ]

 

[Sled Puller]

Hooter,
Can't compete with the bigguys?

They just set the standard for what synthetics are measured by. Look at the shelves, somebody is a trend setter, and it AIN'T the big boys.
Gene

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1997 Cummins Dodge 4x4 "One Piece At A Time" Bombed & Amsoiled. Amsoil Premiere Direct Jobber, Member of: NRA Business Alliance, GLTDR, WANTED: Wrecked Dodges.
www.awdist.com

 

[Patrick Hayden]

I have tried the K&N and the Amsoil. The K&N seemed fine until I looked at the sealing surface and as others have complained it was poor at best. I decided to try the Amsoil and the dam thing seal like none other. I practically have to sit on the filter box to get it closed.

The reason Amsoil can't compete(sales Volume) with the big guy is their bad distribution model. I don't want to start an other Amsoil Amway debate but this is my opinion.

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98 12v 2500 2wd auto #5 plate "ported air box" full gauges and plenty of smoke

 

[Sled Puller]

#ad

I guess making the best synthetic oil on the market is just not enough for some people.

Sales numbers do not relate to a quality product. Elseways, we all would be driving F-150's and GM products and eating McDonalds hamburger's.