Best tip for New 1st Gen owners/Guys willing to help Threads Merged...

[skobylenski]

I'll agree with walmor. The manual has saved my rear more than a few times. It has probably already paid for itself in the money I've saved by fixing things myself. You may have to go thru the stealer to get one, but it's worth it.

 

[paccool]

Before starting to do any "bombing", install boost and Pyro gauges and get good baseline readings. A tach is also very useful if the truck doesn't already have one. If the truck is used for towing and has an automatic transmission, install a temp gauge so you don't burn up the transmission when boosting power on the engine.



Try to get a baseline dyno run so you know what effects the changes are making.



If boosting power, make sure the brakes are good! Going faster means it's harder to get stopped.

 

[KMC]

One of the cheapest, easiest things to get a bit of performance increase and greater driveability is to get rid of the stock turbo housing (18. 5 to 21 cm).



Replace it with a 16cm, 14cm or even a 12 depending on your objectives. I went with the 16cm non-wastegated and have been happy.



Ken

 

[JLEONARD]

My best tip is... . join TDR! And since you already have, make sure to log on and read at least a couple times per week.

ALWAYS take the advice of these TDR members over the advise of the "Stealer" or "local Chevy 350 mechanics"... . these guys have all learned either via the school of hard knox (or the 'school of hard earned cash'), or from other members.

And finally, share what you learn with us, so we can be the wiser as well.

 

[rwinslow]

Can't beat the other tips offered so far - here is a specific tip fo rthe much maligned Getrag 5 speed.



If you have a five speed Getrag - overfill it by one quart with a 5W-30 Synthetic oil (PAO Base seems to provide the best lubrication), change the lube often and treat the transmission with respect. It will go well over 250,000 miles before any maintenance is required.

 

[DBF]

Diesels, with their high compression ratios and close tolerances, don't like junk food.



Keep all the filters changed regularly using high quality filters - air, oil, and fuel.



"Pay me now or pay me later"



DBF

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

TTT



Great stuff guys, I totally forgot about the manuals by the way... that's worth 5 bonus HP



Keep em coming, remember the new guys may not even know the right question to ask. .





Bob.

 

[RDBuck]

Turbo

If there was only one change I could make -that cost money- it would be to change the turbo to a 16 or smaller. IMHO it makes the truck more fun to drive.

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes, all the above is excellent! I will back up the following



> Use the correct flids and filters

> get a Factory shop manual- I believe the '92 is still available

> Get gauges when beginning mods- or just to be informed



I will add



> Yes the ride is really that harsh on 4WD's

> don't neglect wet carpets/ mats or you will have no tin under them!

> go to this link for some real diesel insight (it's good for the most jaded diesel mechanic)



http://www.dieselpage.com/art1022tc.htm

 

[KMC]

Originally posted by Wayne M.

I will add

> Yes the ride is really that harsh on 4WD's

The classic fix for this on the first gen's is the Skyjacker 2. 5" leveling springs. I recently installed these with a pair of Rancho RS9000 shocks. Tremendous difference! Others have done this as well and would agree.



Ken

 

[BCaldwell]

O. K. been following this thread now how about this just ask questions remember no such thing as a dumb question. Bill

 

[AlK]

If you have the choice buy your fuel only at a place where they sell a lot of diesel, usually the truck stops. Before filling up make sure you are getting diesel and not gasoline . - it happens more often than you think. It is best to fill the tank yourself.

---

Al

 

[Wayne M.]

YES that is a great bit of advice- Buy fuel from a well known source and do not fuel if there is a delivery going on.

 

[formula]

Thought of another one:

Use fuel conditioner that provides additional lubricity. I like the Stanadyne Performance Formula. This will keep your VE pump happy as it's only lubrication is from the fuel. It also makes the exhaust smell nice.



Sean

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Before ANY mods are done to your truck, establish a baseline set of readings/figures/results.

You do this with gauges.

Do some runs under different conditions, such as humidity, outside temps, RPM's, throttle positions, loads, EGT's, even stopwatch runs 0-60 ( 3-4 times and do an average), dyno run if you can get to one or afford it too, etc.

Do this with consistent tire pressures, on the same sections of road, hills etc. Keep track of smoke by assigning a numerical value such as 1= little or no smoke, 10=destroyer on full smoke turn...

Record them ALL !!

That will give you a great basis on which to compare any and all mods you make to show what you have gained or lost and where.

This is the only real way to know for sure if you have made progress or not.



Bob

 

[AMikonis]

regarding manuals

I have owned two '92 trucks, but I bought a '93 manual because it is the only one with Getrag rebuild section. I haven't run into anything that is different between '92 and '93 yet. So, if you have a '91. 5 or '92 with the 5-speed, keep this in mind when manual shopping. Of course, you can always get a copy of the Getrag section from someone here to update an earlier manual. By the way, I found my manual from an auto literature vendor at an old car swap meet - there are lots of those guys around.



Andy

 

[BCaldwell]

Thank-you skobylenski. Here is a number for ordering manuals in Canada 1-800-387-1143 just called them yesterday to order service manual for my 91 I have already gotten the diesel supplement from them. manual about $81. 00 Cdn. bill

 

[rmiller1]

I have been reading TDR forums for a time now, first contribution.



You may want to have a look at this Web site - www.alldatadiy.com . For $25 US/year, I have found this to be a real handy source of info, in additional to the Manuals.



Rick M.

 

[dgibson]

helpfull hints

Hello;

I am a new member and am logging on for the first time.

Was just reading about the base line record idea. How do you install a pyro meter ? Is there a danger of cracking the exhaust header,etc. ?

Gibster