Cam Plates

[Archive]

OK Guys I need some input. I have talked to a number of the companies that produce cam plates and I want to know what is the difference between them. And what are some of the characteristics of each one to make them different from the next companies plate.
I didn't ask the question to start a flame war,just information that I can think about. .

Thanks
Rick

------------------
RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[Archive]

I'd love to see some HP & Torque curves on the 'equivalent' plates Rick. I had a plate in that made the Cummins perform like a 2 Stroke with an expansion chamber. Wow. Nothing happening & then it's like you turned on the switch! In looking @ the TST #10 plate, you can see why it has a super stong low end. It ramps back very quickly & makes all it's fuel at a lower rpm. There is probably an infinite # of ways to grind a 300hp plate.



------------------
Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, HX40-16, TST #11/280 slid 3/4 way, 300 HP Injectors, Scourge BD Governor kit.
4" CATless turn down straight out back.
ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, RE-0880, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, 235s on Alcoas, Rancho 9000's, Valentine One.
Clutch days are numbered, McLeod on the way.
#11 plate days are numbered, custom grind on the way.
Dutchmen 27' 5th Wheel.
GoldWing.

 

[Archive]

TST invented the concept of big uprates via torque plate. Most of the others are copies, as far as I know.

Look for a company that understands the differences among the engines, especially the pumps. One copier told me all the pumps are the same. Naaaah. TST has a special line of plates for the 215 engine, as there should be.

There are a number of dealers who sell TST plates. Some of them don't emphasize the source, but they are the genuine article. Your best bet is to know your supplier well.

 

[Archive]

Rick, I started out with Banks in my 215. It was OK but like Forrest said, it too was like a zing-zinger motor cycle. Joe fixed me up with a #11 and I love it. It's perfect for a work truck as far as keeping the heat in control and still does fine for some street fun. I pull a 25' 5th wh and can keep up with the cars anywhere! How do you like that Excel? I was trying to find their site - who makes them? Craig

------------------
97 3/4Ton, 2WD, 5SP, #11 Plate, AFC kit, 14 Housing, AF942M Air filter, Gutted Cat, 4"From Turbo, Airlift, Shortened Frame, Custom Bed, HEY FORDBOY POWERSTROKE THIS!

 

[Archive]

As you see by my signature I use the truck to pull our trailer, but also I drive it to work every day. I need the plate to perform in different ways. One would be that it produces the torque that I want to pull the trailer in all situations from steep grades to flatlands. But also do this without pushing the EGT's out the roof. And I do like to play a little with the rice burners around here. Selecting a plate and vendor is like selecting a cam shaft for a gas motor. I know what lift and duration will do on both ends of the rpm band, when it will start to make power and when it will drop off. But I also know which vendors(gas cam shaft) that have been around the block a few times to know how to make their product perform and know which one of their products is right for your application.
Please forgive my stupidity when it comes to the plates, but I want to make the correct choice the first time instead of spending $3-$400 and find out that I bought the wrong plate. That the reason I enjoy the TDR so much, I can get the information that I need. .
Thanks guys. .

Rick

P. S.
C Schomer . . my trailer is a 1979 and the EXCEL company that built my trailer is out of business, but it is solid as a rock!!!



------------------
RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[Archive]

Rharvey, I would go with TST call and talk to them and they will make sure your fixed up correctly. I have had two TST plates the #12 (230HP/605T) and the #11 (280HP/680T) and both have preformed perfectly. #ad


------------------
EAT'M UP
97 2500 Club 4X4 3. 54, Forrest Green/Driftwood, LSD 5 speed, & Psychotty Air System, TST #11, 370 HP injectors, timing at 16 deg. , 16CM2 housing, AFC spring kit, Geno's Exhaust Blanket, TST EGT gauge & 0-60 boost gauge in A Pillar, Cat-be-gone, 4" Dynomax Bullet muffler, Crome 4" turn down, Rad fan removed, AmsOil Through out, Geno's trans filter kit, AmsOil Bypass system, Lund Winter front, Leer Cab Level Shell Driftwood , 255/85R16, Dyno'd 342 HP pre injectors & turbo housing *NRA/USPSA member and proud of it*

[This message has been edited by drawson (edited 12-30-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

RHARVEY:

I agree with what "drawson" told you.
TST is a very good company and as Joe
Donnelly told you above Mark Chapple
is the inventor of the cam plate.

Like "drawson" I also have had two
of his cam plates, specifically, the
#6 (250 H. P. /635 Torque) and now the
#5 (280 H. P. /680 Torque). Like
drawson's, mine have performed VERY
well.

Like you I also pull trailers. I have
an 18' Pace enclosed racing trailer
that I regularly pull through the Smoky
Mountains of the MId-Atlantic. This
trailer weighs about 8,000lbs loaded.
My other trailer is a flatbed with rails
that I use to pull my MF tractor. Loaded
this trailer weighs 10,000 plus. The
torque plates have REALLY helped me with
the towing especially in the mountains.

Mark Chapple (TST Products) has ALWAYS
helped me anytime I had questions. He
originally came down to N. C. and
installed the first one for me! And
as you say... ... "he has been around the
block a few times" having worked as an
engineer for Cummins for over 30 years!

Hope this has helped you! Feel free to
e-mail me if you have any other questions.
BTW, if you buy one of his plates and want
to upgrade he will swap a lower HP plate
for a higher HP plate, no charge.

Take care and good luck!

-------------
John_P.

------------------
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, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, BD Pressure Loc, Isspro Gauges, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

[Archive]

All the information that I am getting has just about convinced me to get the TST plate. Now comes the next question, the adjustments to the AFC wheel and where to put the plate to get the best out of it without pushing the pyro places unknown to mankind. I guess this would be the time to make the phone call to TST for special instructions. .
Thanks guys, I knew that I could find the information that I needed. .

Rick

------------------
RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[Archive]

Rharvey start with it right in the stock position, don't put the break off screw back in and you'll be able to play with the position later if you want. In the last two years I have had mine off at least 25 times, that I recall.

 

[Archive]

Rick,

I just received my TST #8 (230/605). I checked out the competition, (JRE, Banks, City Diesel-Group purchase through BullyDog) and went with the "Original & Inventor" TST. Mark Chapple will take the time to talk to you via the phone and respond promptly to any e-mail question you send him.

With strong endorsements from Joe D. and TST plates being sold by BD, you got to figure they are the best!

------------------
'98. 4 Bright White Quad Cab SLT, 2WD, 12 Valves & the BIG "P" Pump! 3. 54, AT, Trailer Tow PKG, Camper PKG, OEM Cab Lights, TST #8, Three pod A pillar gauge mount, EGT pre-turbo, 4" Exhaust Turndown, K&N Air Filter, 5th W. Hitch, Pace Edwards Roll-Top, Tint, 265 Michelins and turbo silencer ring AWOL!

23,800 miles - 12/28/00

 

[Archive]

I down loaded the install instructions from the TST web site and it looks easy to install. I can re-build a carb. blindfolded, but I was concerned about the injector pump. I have head that when you install the plate, sometimes you need to move the AFC wheel to cut some of the smoke. Also if it will not adjust out, you will need to install a new AFC spring kit. The last thing that I want to do is to start spraying for bugs because of all the smoke when I get on it. I know that with adding fuel, it may smoke a little more, but I have been told alot of that smoke can be adjusted out with the AFC wheel. I would like to have it so that I a puff of smoke and then it clears up(when I stand in it),is that possible?
I'm doing all the research on what needs to be done(the install and adjustment), before I order the plate.

Thanks
Rick

------------------
RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[Archive]

Rick,
Get the AFC spring kit when you order the plate. Kit doesn't cost very much and it will make a big difference in smoke control. It is also simple to change, especially if you do it the same time you change your plate.

------------------
1996 3500 Clubcab SLT, auto, 4. 10 limited-slip, TST #5, 370s, AFC spring kit, Physcotty, Dunrite converter, Trans-Go, DiPricol EGT, boost & trans temp. gauges, 9 ft. aluminum flatbed and tool boxes with Venco dump. Custom front bumper, Hadley air horn, PowerVision mirrors.

 

[Archive]

What you are saying is that when you up the fuel, the AFC spring should be changed? I thought that this was the procedure, but I was not sure. And yes I was going to order the spring kit with the plate so that I would have it on hand if I needed it. Thanks for the information. .

Rick

------------------
RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[Archive]

RHARVEY,
like drawson said, go with TST. Very helpful and knowledgable folks. Also like Koa Man said, get the AFC Spring kit. Do both at the same time. Unlike me, who has trouble puting a spark plug in my lawn mower, you should have no problems installing both kits. The spring kit is a must if you don't want billowing clouds of black smoke blasting out of the rear end. Just spin the star wheel all the way forward in the housing and then back off a click or two (like the instructions say). Major difference in the truck!!! Especially when I go off with a cord and a half of fire wood in my dump trailer for deliveries. You WILL NOT REGRET installing these kits, you will probably kick your self for not doing it sooner. #ad



------------------
1997 2500 ST 4x4, 5-speed, 4. 10 axle, TST 60lb boost @ EGT gauges, TST #12 230hp/605ftlb plate & AFC Spring kit, Amsoil air filter.

 

[Archive]

I would agree with the TST plate, But you really need to talk with TST, as the plates perform differently in different years. Example, the #5 plate in my 95 Auto (small 160Hp pump) is 255Hp, in a 97 Larger (180Hp pump) is 270Hp. Dont know what it is in the 215Hp pump? But Mark will help you decide whats right, and if you are going to excede what he believes to be the cap of the drive system, he will warn you.
You wont bee unhappy with the plate
randy

------------------
95-2500-ExtCab-LB-4x4-Auto-AMSoil Air Filter, Bypass Oil Filter by others, AMSOIL and Mobil Synthetics, TST 255HP and TransGO Shift kit .