Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Best setup

[Champane Flight]

Getting close to the 100,000 mile mark. What is the best plate,injector, setup for towing, reliability, and fuel mileage? Going to do the KDP thing first and then a clutch. Already have gauges.

 

[illflem]

I call it useable hp

#10 plate with a 14 cm housing and a little tweaking won't win me any dyno runs but pulls any load I want smokeless at the speed limit. Free flowing airfilter, lose the cat, if your egts run high larger exhaust and flow though muffler. You'll think you're driving a different truck. You'll also gain 2-3 mpg while your new clutch lasts a long while. No need to keep your eye on the pyro constantly.

 

[WKener]

I like the setup illflem stated since you will already have a new clutch... I would consider throwing in a 3K GSK with that as well, just to give you that broadened power range



Bill, what is the #10 rated at for a '95 manual?

 

[dalton4]

WKener, the #10 with a 5-speed is rated at 220/570. A #8 will give 230/605.



Jerry

 

[R.ebel]

For all around performance don't forget the 370 injectors! They are worth another 45hp on top of whatever plate you decide on

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I kinda wish I had put in 370's when I had the #8 Plate, I would like to see what it's like, bet you can control the EGT's better than mine.



Jim

 

[drees1]

For a 5 speed, the #11 plate does a great job. 285hp and 685 Ft-lbs. It is borderline with the stock clutch. I tow 20,000 to 25,000 gross routinely and it works great. It will pull posted grades at over 50mph with these loads, and at 1750 - 2000 rpm in top gear no overdrive. More speed up the grades is possible if you bring up the rpm, but, on a long posted grade, the temp will continue climbing until you get out of it. Also, with the #11 plate and staying below 2100 rpm, it will not overheat, the EGT will stay reasonable and safe. So, constant monitoring of the gage is not needed. It is a good plate for sustained output without having to worry about EGT or overheating. Still, a very strong up grade from stock. Feels like a muscle car!!



I thought the #10 plate on the 5 speed was bigger than the #11. Can some one verify that? Or is the 94 different than my 96??



Doug Rees

 

[bighammer]

I'm totally confused about the differences in the plates.

 

[Deezul1]

The 96 is 215 hp and the earlier ones are 160hp with variations for auto trans (less power) and different years. The #10 plate in a 96 or newer 12 valve is a BIG power increase, the #11 is 285 hp and the 10 is more than that. Dont know for sure on the earlier 2nd gens what years are what HP.

 

[WKener]

I thought the #10 plate on the 5 speed was bigger than the #11. Can some one verify that? Or is the 94 different than my 96??

Yes, the #10 is bigger than the #11, but the actual power figures vary by pump year like Deezul said. That is why I asked what the #10 was rated at for the '95 5spd, because I know it is rated at 330/750 for a '96-98 5spd, but the '95 had a different pump. So now we know that the #10 for a '95 5spd is rated 220/570 (which is obviously well short of the '96-'98 version).



I too, have been confused about the actual power figures of the hotter plates in older pump models...



Wes

 

[Cooker]

I just wanted to clarify the 94-94 5 speeds are 175hp, the 94-95 autos are 160 hp.



The 96-98. 5 5 speeds are 215hp and the 96-98. 5 autos are 180 hp.



A #10 in a pre 96 5 speed is not that big of a plate (220hp). A #10 in a 96-98. 5 5 speed is a pretty hot plate (330hp).

 

[Champane Flight]

Thanks guys

Thanks guys, I will let you all know what and when I do it. It does look like it will all happen in the next year, with present mileage and use.



How are the South Bend clutchs holding up? Anybody know?

 

[Deezul1]

My Southbend is rated at 350HP and is holding quite nicely at 417HP and I know of one TDR member that has the same clutch and it finally started slipping at 485hp so they are very good clutches.