Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Cheap Horsepower

[arollan]

Buddy of mine has a 1995 2500 5 speed and is looking to start creating horsepower. What are some cheap first steps I can recommend to him. He is looking for something simple before the bigger mods such as twins and such

 

[CarlJensen]

Slide the fuel plate forward, check timing(16 degrees) and valve adjust, run the star wheel forward, no or little money. Get a good air filter setup, like a BHAF, to let it breath. BHAF 38 to 45 dinero, not bad.

 

[BTighe]

a tst plate and boost elbow for 225bucks. you could grind the stock one.

 

[bmoeller]

No mention of any guages. Pyro, absole minimum.

 

[mechanic]

arollan's Friends truck.

Slide the fuel plate forward, check timing(16 degrees) and valve adjust, run the star wheel forward, no or little money. Get a good air filter setup, like a BHAF, to let it breath. BHAF 38 to 45 dinero, not bad.

(Sorry, I ment to post this under arollan's question. )



I would recommend a TST #6 plate in the pump, and an open exhaust. If you need the cat, just remove the muffler and run with out it. I removed both and before I did the plate I could not tell much increase in over all performance, just that the turbo spooled up quicker. I don't think the cat is the problem the muffler is. But when I did the plate, it made a radical change in power in all ranges. But the difference at 1600 to 2300 rpm is mind bending. And it did not change the overall fuel economy. I personally find that the air filter problem is over blown. The stock filter with a quality element you should be ok unless you go to much more radical mods. I would not include K&N in the filter line up. If you look at the specs that K&N puts out, (I called them and asked pointed questions), and if you know how to interpret them, you won't use one.

Also, it takes so long to clean and dry and reoil one that the savings on the cost of the stock replacement is not worth it. (I did run one for a little while untill I learned better) If he has not stoped the KDP attack, that should be #1 and soon. I have done three of them in my shop, including my own, and all but one have been out to far to crossdrill and pin with the jig. I drove them back in and then with the cover off it is not a problem sight in the angle and drill across the top of the pin and tap the hole to 6mm X 1. 0 then install the stop screw. (I use an allen head type) I embed them with JB weld to prevent leaks and make them permanent.

Hope this helps, I am sure there will be some disagreement on some of the things I mentioned, but thats what a forum is for. Besides, if two real mechanics agree on too many things, one of them has quit thinking.

 

[CarlJensen]

Mechanic is right on the money. Do the KDP as soon as you can, for peace of mind if nothing else, and get a good set of gauges so you can see what is going on when you do further mods.

 

[pwerwagn]

First and foremost, fix the KDP. Second, do guages. You talked like he is eventually going to do more, so I'd do a plate first, then if the egt is hot, do a exhaust.

I did a plate, swiss cheesed the airbox, and did a better 3" muffler on mine and the difference is enough to make the clutch very very unhappy.



--Jeff