#6 plate or #5 plate for an auto trans

[PZicha]

I have a 96 3500 with an auto trans , can't decide... ... all input welcome

 

[Oil Ape]

I too have the same delimma. We put a #8 in my Dad's truck and it works great. Now for mine I'm trying to decide between the #6 and the #5.



My main concern is EGT's while towing. I don't want to have to keep one eye on the road the other glued to the gauge. I also am not interested in hot-rodding or doing injector or turbo housing changes if possible. I will be looking shortly for an aftermarket transmission...



It appears via your signature that you are already running a plate in your truck and you are looking to squeak out a few more ponies?

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

See:



http://www.dieselpage.com/tstpk.htm



The chart says stock 96-98 automatics cannot handle the number 5 plate.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The 6 and 8 give power and torque curves that are more compatible with a stock or nearly stock automatic. The 5 adds a lot more torque in the 1500-1900 rpm range and would be best saved for a truck with upgraded transmission.

 

[PZicha]

I am wondering if a person uses some restraint if you can get away with the #5 cause I do plan on upgrading the transmission in the future , I just don't want to pay for two torque plates cause I know I will ultimately upgrade to the #5

 

[Oil Ape]

I talked to Piers earlier today and I hate to quote him on it but he said in my particular situation it would be fine and in fact he'd recommend it. He also warned me to watch out, that once the torque converter was locked, to not punch the pedal to the floor or that would be the end of the transmission. Even the #6 or the #8 with a well warn transmission could fail. He said one way around it was to install a torque converter unlock switch, that way I could switch it and punch the throttle to pass without tearing up the transmission.



I'm in the same boat wanting only to buy once and buy the last one first. I think I've personally decided on the #5 and hopefully with luck and a bit of self control I'll limp my transmission another year.

 

[PZicha]

Ditto... I'm glad to see I'm not alone. . the torque unlock switch /which wires and where... any info please , I have cranked the presure up on the valve body a very easy thing to do , it puts more presure on the clutch packs and torque converter clutch. The info is on the DTT website , this should save my but for a while... Pete

 

[Oil Ape]

I've yet to try cranking up my existing VB Pressure as I haven't changed any of my fuel settings yet. I'm not the one to ask on exactly which wire and how. Contact Piers, he is the one that told me and it makes sense. I think he has a kit available but I'm checking on that. He did say it was fairly simple and you could make one yourself but exactly how, I'm not sure. Good luck... .

 

[PZicha]

OIL APE did piers mention any thing about egt's or additional upgrades that would have to be done to the motor with a #5 . I too do not want to buy all the other stuff if I don't have to . I like to take it one step at a time ... ... . P. S. I've been reading your transmission post , I definatly will be watching this one close

 

[Oil Ape]

Now here again you really ought to talk to him yourself... .



He said that the 180 injectors are plenty to handle that amount of fuel and the EGT's will increase about 100 degrees over the #8 plate. But they are still very manageable and in fact if you drive a truck with the #5 the same as a truck with a #8 you shouldn't notice a difference. But who wants to do that? Of course you'll need to remind me to control myself... . more power... . good... more power... .



I asked him specifically about my particular driving habits and current modifications such as the air filter and the lack of the cat.



TST has told me that through their extensive testing they found at our desired HP increases that the stock air filter was fine and actually may be preferable to the K&N, BHAF, etc... . Specially ported heads and exhaust manifolds had no appretiable benefit at our power levels and that the main problem was the cat. Muffler and exhaust diameter also didn't seem to change EGT's. If the temperatures get too hot for your tastes, then he recommended the 16cm turbo housing, but not before trying the #5 for a period of time. He thought the stock housing would be fine up to that level. The 16cm housing is non wastegated and kills you in the first couple of feet off the line but makes up for it on the higher end once pressure is obtained.



Remember, I claim no knowledge of any of this and contacted Piers, TST, DIS, etc... to obtain what little I do know and recommend you do the same... .

 

[PZicha]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME... . LATER