Got Money, Ready To Bomb

[dphillipsx]

Alright, so I know this topic has been beat to death..... so lets try one more time... . ;As you can see from my signature I haven't done any major mods yet. I have a calf. auto with the EGR removed and 49 state housing installed. Scotty system and cat test pipe with 4" straight thru muffler that dumps out in front of the axel. I want to start increasing HP/Torque, but don't want to blow the stock trans yet. I rarely tow mostly freeway driving and sometimes haul heavy loads in the bed (Cement, gravel, etc).



I know the first step is gauges, so I'll do that. I want the best plate, but I don't want to fool around and do it twice. I really don't want to change injectors yet. Any advice will be greatfully accepted. :{ :{ Oo.

 

[BCFAST]

Best advice I could offer: After guages, dont spend a dime on the motor till you do the DTT thing. Spend your money there first. You'll be amazed at how much power you have NOW that you're NOT getting to the ground!

 

[dphillipsx]

Excuse my Ignorance, but what is the "DTT THing" ??

 

[BCFAST]

Transmission. Call Mr. Kondolay @ DTT... you'll find the number and web site here at TDR.

 

[SlyBones]

Well as much as I love the DTT thing, I would vote for a large TST plate to start. Like the 250/270 plate. When installing it, I would mark the location of the stock plate and them install the TST plate back from this to limit HP and allow the transmission to last as long as possible.



Then down the road when the DTT stuff is done, just slide the plate up to the scribe marks and you'll be hooked, lined and sinkered.

 

[dphillipsx]

so which one is the 250/270 plate ?? I see a lot of people talking about a #4. I agree on the TDD transmission issue. I have 130,000 on it now, and I'm sure it will need replacing eventually. However to do it right I am guesstimating 3-4K, and I'm not ready to take out a 2nd on my house just for a transmission.



what about springs ?? My truck seems to accelerate well on the highway from about 50mph on up and wants to top out around 80-85mph. I would like more in the bottom end-mid range. Oo. Oo.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Give Piers a call @ 604-853-9396. Ask him to send you a governor spring kit..... it will be the best $125 you'll ever spend on your truck. Gauges should be 1st, though... ... just to keep an eye on things.



Power will be increased from idle through the new higher rev. limiter. The truck drives so nice after installing my set of springs..... I can't imagine being without them now.



Matt

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

Roger on the springs Matt

Just put mine in today. Oo. :-laf :-laf . What more can I say.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Yet another happy customer... ... Oo.

 

[dphillipsx]

So would it be a good idea to do the plate and springs at the same time ?? How hard is it to install the springs. I'm a good mechanic, but my fingers aren't too nimble, and don't do well in tight places :{ :{

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

It is pretty tight

On a scale of one to ten on tightness,I'd say its about an 8 or 9. You might try to locate a TDR member thats done it before to help you. There not hard to find. Go to a TDR event and they'll be crawling all over your truck. Just ask and you will recieve. Thats the greatest thing about this site. People help you any way they can.

 

[tschwab]

With 130k on the transmission, if you BOMB you will probably blow it. Here is my suggestion:



1. Gauges



2. "Call" Bill at DTT and get his advice about your transmission, he MAY NOT even suggest you do the TC & VB due to the fact that you have so many miles on the transmission. At this point - Based on Bill's advice, either put in a new (rebuilt transmission from Bill) or his VB & TC. You can easily make power, but you need to get it to the ground to enjoy it.



3. Cam plate - either a #8 or a #6, anything bigger and your just going to be fighting EGT problems until you make some other mod's like a PDR turbo or different housing, 4" exhaust, etc.



4. 215 injectors seem to be a good choice with a moderate plate. Some guys go with the 370's and have had excellent results, some haven't. If you go with the 370's chances are you would have to add larger delivery valves.



5. Change the stock air filter system - I have just added the AFE Mega Cannon system and love it.



6. Different exhaust? Lose the CAT, add a free flowing muffler or no muffler. A 4" system won't do much for you at moderate HP gains - 275 hp or less IMHO.



Hope this helps.

 

[JSmith]

HP increase

First as everyone is advising get gauges

Chech TST`s web site and get the 250HP plate I did

Enjoy the ride and power. Just don`t over do it

Save some bucks and get the transmission worked over

Then get some injectors Oo.

 

[Ben Rumson]

Similar situation.

I'm in a similar situation. With the exception that I have 145k miles and my TC is shuddering worse and worse.



Transmission:

Bill K. at DTT (1-800-922-7782) or his son Shanti (?) will probably tell you to turn up the line pressure and drive it till the transmission is totally shot. They will also probably tell you that it would be a waste (both time and money) to put a new TC and VB into a transmission with your miles. The stock trans does not have strong enough seals to handle the higher pressures of a high performance VB. You want a high performance VB! You want a stronger torque converter! Also, if you do put in new TC/VB in your old transmission and a gear/clutch desintegrates, it will shoot crap throughout your new VB, cooler, and TC - which is very hard to flush adequately (almost better to send it back to them to service).



If you're going to increase your hp much, a stock transmission or local rebuild will probably not last very well. You'll pay a little more than your local shop (+/- $500), but you'll get a MUCH MUCH stronger trans that WILL hold up.



You can wait till it dies (another 1,2,3,... years later) and then upgrade or replace it now while you still have some good years left on your truck and start enjoying it. For the money, I wish I could limp it out a few more years, but can't. The TC is shot.



Bill told me that I'd need a minimum of 230 HP to properly run one of hisTC's if I was going to tow much. Otherwise it would stall-out when rolling off the line. I'm stock 160 hp now. In order to boost my HP, I got a set of DD Stage 3 Injectors - $400 (usually around $560). Stage 2's would have been sufficient. I also got a new set of 191 Delivery Valves - $230 (that are needed to support the injectors. Also to be installed with transmission). I installed a 4" exhaust to help reduce EGT temps - $450 (which will undoubtedly be created with the larger injectors. I got a set of gauges (EGT, Trans, Boost) - $200 (to monitor temps. Also to be installed with transmission). On a whimm, I also ordered a 3K Governor Spring Kit, Boost Elbow, and #4 Plate (from Piers) - $350.



If I DIDN'T have to repalce my transmission, I'd get a Torque Plate and 3k Gov. Spring Kit and run them till the transmission died. I'd also turn up the VB line pressure to help the transmission last as long as possible.



Then, once my transmission was dead, I'd repalce it with a high performance one like DTT, ATS, or BD. These trannys are MUCH better than anything you could have built for you locally. These companies KNOW the torque our engines put out and have made high perf trannies their passion. Then, if and only if, the new transmission requires more HP, start asking ?'s about this upgrade at that time. Note: You may end up replacing your plate again with yet another one depending on how much hp you added since your last plate. Plates can be an iffy thing and may need to be changed of yu continue to tinker. I feel a gov spring kit is a sure thing - more than likely, you won't be changing it later no matter what new mods you make. Develop a good road map (target hp, torque, drivability, $ willing to spend, etc) and stick to it. this will minimize your chances of duplicating and re-re-re-modifying later.



Bottom line - it's your money. Spend it when and how you want. I'm new to a lot of this stuff myself and am no expert, but I've spent countless hours here asking the same ?'s you are. A lot of the recommendations you'll get are personal preferences and your decision will be a preference to. Get as much advise as you can. Call as many Pro Shops as you can - Piers, TST, BD, DTT, Auto Wurks Diesel, etc. etc. ). Decide what makes sense to you. Then when everything get's real fuzzy and confusing, and your head's about to burst, find a TDR member who you trust and start working with them to help you develop your road map or make your next move. By then you'll know a lot more about how things work and you'll be more confident in the direction that you want to go.



The only hard and fast rule you must follow is don't add fuel without FIRST adding gauges. I see you've already noted this. The rest is up to you.



Good Luck!

- Bruce

 

[dphillipsx]

Thanks for the good advice, Bruce. I'll start saving for the trans now. I was able to pick up a set of boost/pyro/trans temp guages today for $200 for the set, complete with hardware, thermo couple etc. They are the silver cased white face di-pricol (Beautiful). I got them at quite a discount lower than any of the TDR sponsers (Geno's, TST Etc. ) can sell them for, don't want to give away the secret, but I will say is its nice to live in So Cal. I think I will try the plate and govenor spring kit next and keep my fingers crossed on the trans situation. Oo. Oo.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Shanti is Bill's wife! His son's name is Stefan.

I would definitely start with the #4 plate. Just slide it all the way back to start with. Then, when you want more power, slide it up a bit, and you're there. Don't start with another plate, upgrading in steps sucks. Then get a governor spring kit, 3k is plenty. Then get some 370's and some delivery valves, because you will eventually end up with them anyway, and upgrading in steps sucks.

Do the transmission in there somewhere. The sooner the better. The side of the road sucks. Bill K. at DTT knows our trannys better than anyone. I don't have any experience with anyone else except BD, and BD has been good to others, but I personally know some that have been screwed by them. DTT is a sure thing, they will do whatever it takes to make you happy.

My truck wouldn't start today, and after calling a few people with no luck, I called Bill, and he took time out of his busy day to try to help me figure out the problem with my truck. He is a good person, and even if you aren't one of his customers, he is always willing to help you out if he can. I can't say enough about Bill and crew, awesome people.

Anyway, good luck, and enjoy the bombing! You will be amazed!





Chris Oo. Oo.

 

[Ben Rumson]

Secret Source?

I got mine from So. Cal as well. Autometer Ultra-lites $197 delivered.



Your source would happen to go by the initials Joe S. (F. L. W. ) in Chatsworth would it?



Mine is. Great guy to work with and excellent prices.



PM me if I can help any.



Good luck with your quest. Stay clear of the "shrubberies"



- Bruce

 

[dphillipsx]

not chatsworth, but O. C. down by the beach somewhere. they were filling orders in shipping for the "not to be named" as I waited to get mine.

 

[tschwab]

Re: Similar situation.

Originally posted by badams

Call as many Pro Shops as you can - Piers, TST, BD, DTT, Auto Wurks Diesel, etc. etc

Even though he doesn't own a pro shop (that I know of), you left out one very excellent source of information who is always willing to help out a fellow TDR member. "The Godfather of the 12V - Joe Donnelly!"

 

[Ben Rumson]

My oversight.

Yes, Joe Donnelley is great as well. He's helped me several times already.



Again, I'm still relatively new here. I've undoubtedly not mentioned other great people and shops as well - thus my extended use of the "etc. , etc. "



Thanks for remembering Joe. He truely is a wealth of knowledge.