Engine Longevity when Bombing

[MDF99]

Hello Fellows...

I've recently joined the ranks of proud Dodge Cummins owners and have found this site to be a great resource.

My truck is a 1997 5 Speed with 56000 miles totally stock except for 33x12. 5x16. 5 tires and rims.

When I shift from 3rd to 4th, I have to have the RPMs up to around 2200 or so or it bogs down some. It's not a major problem, but I would like eliminate this flat spot and was thinking installing the 230HP plate from TST. I want to get as many miles as possible out of this engine and don't want to stress it out. Do you think that I would be able to notice a small increase in power like this or could I step up to the 280HP Plate without reducing the life of engine.

Thanks.


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Matt Fraley

1997 Dodge Ram 2500, Cummins Turbo Diesel, 5 Speed, Regular Cab, 4x4, 50,000 Miles

1991 Mallard Sprinter 29 Foot Camping Trailer

 

[danandamy]

Hmmmm, longevity of the engine when bombing. As soon as someone actually wears one out we'll let you know #ad

Go for a set of gauges and the plate, you'll wonder how you ever stood driving it stock.

Daniel

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Wife's truck:
95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54 automatic JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N chunked, AFC adjusted, "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward, silencer ring removed

My truck:
95 2500 SLT Laramie 4x4 automatic, Geno's dual EGT/Boost gauge, Dodge cat test pipe (I'm still testing hehe), Geno's muffler eliminator pipe, AFC star wheel adjusted for smoke show, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC Housing slid all the way forward... let the fun begin!

"Only thing better than having a Cummins is having TWO Cummins"

 

[My 6 Eats V8's Old File]

I prolly qualify for one of the most "bombed" at around 600 hp and now have 141k on the speedo(have been running bigger tires from 19k) the bottom end is stock.
I never want to think about how hot it got for the years I was making over 300hp for over 100k with no guages, or the 2000egt plus I see now. These motors are very tough if you know the limits or at least can keep some kind of limit when pulling heavy to under 1300 for any length of time.
I say go as high of hp as you want, just realize your upper limit is hard to change as far as pulling.

 

[Sled Puller]

Do your self a favor and call Dave's Diesel in Indiana before you start buying Hotrod parts. 800-654-4715 Ask for Rick.
Gene

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1997 Cummins Dodge 4x4 "One Piece At A Time" Bombed & Amsoiled. Amsoil Premiere Direct Jobber, Member of: NRA Business Alliance, GLTDR, WANTED: Wrecked Dodges.
www.awdist.com

 

[John_P]

Matt:

I don't have as much H. P. as Adam. I am
at 381 H. P. right now and just hit 120,000
miles with no problems other than routine
maintenance.

I do not think you will have a problem
by going with any of the "milder" TST
plates. I have been using Mark Chapple's
products (TST) for five years now with
very good results and reliability. Alot
of other members will tell you the same
thing. I think one of his fuel plates
will give you the added "boost" you are
looking for. FYI, I started with the TST
#6 plate and then went to the #5. Each
change netted me a little more H. P. As Adam (My 6 Eats V-8's)told you "these engines
are tough!"

You can look at my signature to see how
I am set up as far as reliability. I also
run my truck pretty hard and do tow with
it on a regular basis.

Hope this helps you!

-------
John_P

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

 

[Cliffman]

LET THE BOMBING BEGEN #ad
#ad
#ad


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2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, Long Bed, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE) Loven the shift thing (Arrrrrh), 3:54, SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, 18,000 LB 5th Wheel Hitch, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, BDs E-Brake, Rhino Liner (gray), Velvet ride shackles, cup smoothy, Power Edge box / EZ Box w/elbo, DD Stage III injectors, McLeod Dual Disk Clutch, K&N, SPA Gauges, Jardine Exhaust, 16cm turbo housing. Love the smell of diesel in the morning. Hope your watchen DC cuz every thing you see here is a big lie, Hehe.

 

[MCrossley]

remeber Cummins makes the marine version of your engine at a factory 370HP setup, along with several other configurations; Cummins turned our engines down for Dodeg there is plenty of head room that the engien was designed for.

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TAZ... 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab, Long Bed, Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights,SPA-Technique Digital Dual Gauges (Pyro/Boost, Trans pressure/temp) Aux. Backup lamps. BNM 5th Wheel Hitch, Additional Body Molding on Bed. Line-X bed-liner. DTT's TC & VB, Pac Brake w/ DTT Smart Controller, Power Edge, Edge EZ, Grover Air Horns, P. S. High Idler, RV 275 Injectors.

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

Ram-Taz

 

[WKener]

MCrossley is right, our engines are 'detuned' from the factory, and there is plenty of room left for power in them...
Engine longeveity is directly related to the amount of fuel used, therefore you have complete control over how long your truck lasts. You can have all the power in the world on tap, and still run for 600K miles, as long as you drive sensibly. Having that much power available doesn't mean you are using it at all times, it's just nice to know it's there in case you need it #ad

Remember, you control almost everything in this truck with your right foot (mpg, egt, engine life)

------------------
'97 2500 ext cab, long bed, 4x4, 5spd
TST #11, K&N 0880, CatbeGone, BFG AT 285/75's... more to come soon!

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by danandme:
Hmmmm, longevity of the engine when bombing.
As soon as someone actually wears one out we'll let you know #ad

Hmm, I like that one.
Now I can get a "black box" for my truck, and when I hit 120,000 miles I'll be sure to let all the Duramax's and Powerjokes know.
With a Nice Strip of burnt rubber on the pavement,, of course. . #ad


MerrickNJr

------------------
1998. 5 Dodge 3500, 2wd
5-Speed, Light Driftwood
STRAIGHT PIPED!
3. 55_LSD
A. R. E. Camper w/side pop up windows
Michelin LTX 245/75/16's
Autometer Gaugeworks 3 Gauge A-Pillar Pod
Fuel Pressure (0-15Lbs)
Boost Pressure (0-35Lbs)
EGT Gauge (0-1600*F)
ATS Manifold too!!

 

[Turbo Thom]

WKener is right on. Your right foot is the "warranty station". I'm running around 300-350 HP with 198K on the ticker. I just replaced the gear box but that was a lube, journal problem. It's time to change but I'm still on the rear brake shoes. The engine will take it. The transmission will but the clutch won't.
Go with gusto and feather lightly.
.
Preston

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96 3500, Black SLT, 5 speed, turbo diesel, , with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , Mag-hytec rear cover, dual-remote by-pass filters, and Roadmaster Active system, AutoMeter Pyro & boost, Primeloc

 

[Missouri Mule]

I agree the Cummins will handle the extra horses and have a long life. But how long?
Going back many issues ago.
Fuel=Power=reduced engine life.
So if you bomb it mite not get to the 500,000 to 1,000,000 mile range. #ad

Happy bombing! #ad

 

[mikepvg]

matt
Before you start bombing, may I suggest gauges first & diagnose your fuel delivery problem. I had the exact same stumble @2200rpm & bog thereafter. I finally finished last night & it now rips cleanly up to 3000rpm. It was a dramatic improvement & I haven't even bombed yet! Now bombing will be that much better!


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94 2500HD 4X4 5sp w/GearVendors O. D. 4:10 L. S. D. , K&N Oval w/ Pre-Filter, Straight Exhaust, Geno's Fumotovalve, AW-Direct Idle Controller, DiPricol Boost/Pyro/Fuel w/ Kevlar BSS line, Mag-Hytec Rear, 126K miles. Halon Protected, NRA Member. V1=Anti-"pinch" protection.
Credit for my wise Cummins Diesel procurement must go to "Flash" (Quarter Horse/Appaloosa) & his 4 legged pals!

 

[rhoads]

How long will it last???want 370 hp marine eng???
well you could visit your cummins dist. ask them for a spec booklet for marine.
and the same for your truck.
Lays out the pistons/inj/turbo/pump set up /and such fore each aproved applacation (epa) and the only limit is your wallet.
Now to be informed go to the marina and check out the big buck boat read the data plate so when tho go to cummins you know what you are talking about...
There are step fines for them to tell you show you,advise you how to bypass these standards...
you can punch hole's in the piston with out some common sence. You can pump it up to 600 but------- will it hold for 700k??? 500k??? or 10 K??? ALSO Hp is not what moves the assmbly down the strip/road/it is the torque!!!and then will the drive stand the test?????


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96-3500 SLT EXT. CAB AM/FM/CD-RINO LINER. D-CELERATOR EXH. BRK-RED LINE VAC. OVER HYD BRK CONTROL- AIR BAGS W/HVY DUTY AIR COMP. PUTCO S/STEEL DEEPBOARDS FRONT TO REAR. REESE 20K 5TH WHEEL & GOOSE -REESE 20K HITCH BELOW W/17K RECEVER. CLEAR COATED & SOUND DEADINGING &UNDER COATED 5 SPD/W 4:10 MCHLN'S 235/16'S UNIDEN PC76/WEATHER-WILSON 1000 MAG MOUNT ANT. 4 WHL ANTI LOC BRK SYS.
750,000 miles

 

[SMorneau]

I have a 1996, 4x4, 5-speed with about 185K on it and I just recently did my first mod to the the fuel pump. I was also concerned with longevity and more importantly I was worried that I might become some hopeless BOMBaholic, like the so many of those poor, but fast, souls you will find in these forums.

The truck: received a #11 (280hp) TST plate and an AFC spring kit. The difference is most noticable where I wanted it, between 3rd and 4th. I have 33" tall tires and I was tired of waiting for 4th to get into power band. If you drive it conservatively you may never know the engine is not stock; it drives normal and should not pose a longevity problem. After a week I am very happy with the mod and I would recommend that you skip the 230hp plate, just make sure you have a good gauge to watch EGTs in the manifold. My manifold EGTs will hit 1300F but, when empty, you will also be going over 100mph. They don't shoot up that fast and can easily be regulated with your foot.

Me: I had speed fever for a couple of days but my thoughts have now shifted to exhaust brakes and commercial size wheels and tires. So maybe I will make it without sucumbing to the bug. Or is this shift in thinking just a variant of the bug?