Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) daily driver horsepower

[Patrick McMahon]

I am a first gen driver with over 300k on my truck and comtemplating crossing over from the world of rectangles to a 97 or 98- just how much rear wheel hp are you guys getting with a 4000. 00 bombing budget on a stock truck? I'd appreciate any comments, I was wondering if 350-400 rwhp is possible with this budget and a rig in decent shape. Thanks.

 

[WKener]

Well, I certainly have not yet dropped $4000 dollars on performance upgrades... But I did spend $500 on my daily driver and it got me over 300hp

I think with that kind of budget you can easily create a 400hp daily driver.

 

[98rammer]

a good clutch is around $900-$1300 for a southbend, plus a fueling plate is $150. and with a 215hp pump ('96-'98 manuals) you can make excellent power for the cheapest money. i believe a #0 plate with stock injectors will yeild around 360hp, correct me if i'm wrong. so add some bigger injectors (~ $400-$800+) and a 16cm turbo housing. straight piped exhaust is cheap unless you get a 4" or 5". especially with that pump, you'd be doing great on power for cheap moola



if you want the auto, well, prepare spending $3000+ for a good, reliable (not just converter and valve body) transmission. but then that extra $500 left over can make 300hp or so. just depends on what you want, but that's a decent outline.



Tom

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I lope along with 300 rear wheel HP available. I have the TST #8 plate moved forward a little, a set of used 215 injectors, a gov. spring kit, & a K&N air filter. (I know, I know) Maybe $750 total. The big expense was a transmission upgrade & new 3-D TC at about 160k from Goerends Bros. I think that cost me about $2200. 00 & eight hours in their shop last year. Still not over $3,000. I would like to have the timing checked, it's factory & I'm at almost 200,000 miles.

 

[TPCDrafting]

Do what I did, spent about $700 on gauges, plate, gsk, afc kit, then spend about $200 on beer, bbq ables and throw a tdr bomb-bq at your place. You won't have 350 hp, but it's a much better grocery go getter than it was before. Next look at clutch and some 370's (as I'm drueling over) and you should be where you wanna be.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

I'm sitting at just under $2000 for my mods, including clutch and exhaust. I'm sitting right at 400 HP. Haven't touched the transmission. yet, though.



Jim

 

[SMorneau]

If you do the work yourself the $4000 will take you a long way past 350hp. Basically what 98Rammer says only with A bigger turbo. This will be power you can really use unlike the 350hp I have that will melt down the engine if discretion is not used.

 

[Patrick McMahon]

Thanks to you all-I really appreciate the input/comments. Definately planning on doing this now that I know such big power is available for way less $$$ than I anticipated. Awesome, thanks again.

 

[Deezul1]

My mods were around $2000 and I am running around 440hp now, last dyno was 417hp and stuff has been done since then

 

[drrhoades]

For you guys that are around 400HP what kind of mileage do you get if you drive the truck normal and arent gunnin it all the time.



Doug

 

[Forrest]

21 @ 100% highway @ 70



17 - 18 commuting.

 

[Deezul1]

Same as Forrest maybe a little better after the PDR HX35 turbo

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

That's about where I'm at, too. I saw 22. 5, twice in the same trip, between Md and Il. That was after I put the 370's in.



Jim