Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 3 or 4GSK , which one?

[AWM]

can't decide which one to get , anyone regret only going with the 3K?. Bob

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Bob, you can get the 3k kit from Piers then if you want to go to the 4k later you will not throw anything away, 3k's are a great start.



Jim

 

[Got Smoke?]

IMPO (which doesn't count for a hill of beans :-laf ) you shouldn't need the 4K GSK unless your sled pulling or drag racing. But that's just my opinion. I plan on going with the 3K GSK myself because with 33's and 3. 55 gears when towing its a pain to keep going back and forth between gears!

 

[LSMITH]

If you get the 3K and only want to use 3K you are fine. If you get the 4K and only want to use 3K you are fine. If you get the 4K and want to use 4K you are fine. If you get the 3K and want to use 3300 you are screwed. I would buy the 4K.

 

[Hutchew]

4K is same price from Piers..........

According to Piers, you just leave the little springs out, and it's the same as a 3K. Correct me if I misunderstood Piers. He also said that I wouldn't need to change the valve springs with the 4K unless I wanted to spin over @ 3300-3400rpms. The valve springs are more $$$$ though.

 

[98rammer]

the stock camshaft only has a real efficiency range of about 2200-2800 rpms right? i will be going with the 3k myself either tomorow (gift) or shortly after. gotta give those powerstrokes a real whooping!

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Bob,



Had the 4K in mine, and just pulled the baby spring out, to turn it into a 3K. Didn't notice much difference. I don't run mine up into that range anyway.



Jim

 

[JohnE]

I installed a 3K governor spring kit. It makes the truck drive real nice. I don't think I've heard of anyone that wasn't happy with installing either a 3K or 4K spring set. You may have an annoying idle stumble or flutter around 1,100 rpm and have to adjust the spring tension a couple times to get a smooth throtle response. MINOR items compared to the fun of driving a governor sprung truck.



Do you plan to use an exhaust brake? If yes, you'll probably want the 60# exhaust springs for maximum braking. You may as well order the 4K spring kit and install all the 60# springs. That way you have any high rpm situation and maximum braking covered.

 

[Reb.B]

here is what i have found, i install the 3K in the 180 pumps and the 4K in the 160 and 175 pumps as well. I have also found that the 215 needs the 4K kit sometimes too. The 160 and 175 are supposed to have heavier governer weights and the 3K kit doesn't always get it to 3k, but on the 180 pumps the 3k kit will get it way past 3K usually likes to run up to 3400-3500 rpm. The only difference in the kits are the baby springs. I also buy 4K kits and if i need the spring then great, and if i don't then i have it for later. I think its about 10 bucks or so difference in price.

 

[WKener]

So what kind of rpm's can be achieved with a 3K kit in a 215 pump? I have also been debating which GSK kit to get, and I know that I will not need the 60lb valve springs, as I do not have an Ebrake and I have no need to run past 3400... Would the 3K kit be sufficient for me? I have to admit, I have been leaning towards the 4K kit simply for the reason LSmith stated... Whaddya think?

 

[Kalaehina]

I had the 3k kit in since October, feels like truck hits boost easier too, a few times I reved her to 3000, kinda sounded unhealthy but a blast to drive. Going up hill it helped I can shift from 3rd to 4th easier now because I can get 3rd into a higher rpm range then shift and 4th is at a better range than before the springs. I just got my #11 camplate today so that's should liven things up more . Merry Christmas!

 

[Got Smoke?]

I GOT MY GSK!

I always get to open one gift on Christmas Eve and this year it was my 3K GSK!!Oo. Oo. Oo.



Now how hard is this thing gonna be to put in?



Pics make it look hard. Reading it on here seems so much easier!

 

[SlyBones]

The hard things gonna be, how you ever gonna get to sleep?

 

[Reb.B]

i'd go with 4K kit. That way u have the baby springs. The install isn't bad, i've got it down to 25 mins. Just go in from the side, and need to build a screw driver with a cut out of the middle, this makes an excellant tool for removing the spring retainer nut. Count the 1/4 turns when loosening the nut til it gets to flush, (its usually 4 i/4 turns til flush), then follow directions. Oh go to the parts store and get a small pencil magnet too, makes it a lot easier

 

[AWM]

thanks, my concern with the 3K was that now, governed RPM is 2750 light load (fifth gear) 3300 no load, didn't think it was worth an extra 250 RPM, so I was thinking the 4K, seems to be some concern about camshaft gear slipping at higher RPM's but I haven't heard of anyone having a problem with that. also an x-brake is in the works later so I would already have the valve springs in, anyone know what the no-load RPM is with the 4K? Bob

 

[98rammer]

Re: I GOT MY GSK!

Originally posted by got smoke?

I always get to open one gift on Christmas Eve and this year it was my 3K GSK!!Oo. Oo. Oo.



Now how hard is this thing gonna be to put in?



Pics make it look hard. Reading it on here seems so much easier!

so did i it shouldn't be too hard now that i have looked things over. move the starting solenoid and basically go through the side hole. now, if it only wasn't snowing outside... Oo.



Tom

 

[Steve Roseman]

seems to be some concern about camshaft gear slipping at higher RPM's but I haven't heard of anyone having a problem with that. [/B]

That has been one of my concerns also.

 

[JJW_ND]

3400 rpms and then some...

The 3K kit pulles well past 3K rpms. Dyno runs went to 3400. I added 60 lbs valve springs when I had a new headgasket installed. I have never just held it in 3 or 4th to see how far it will go. I would be surprised if a 215 pump would only pull to 3K. Maybe stock??? I have a #11 plate, stock injectors in mine.



jjw

ND