Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) HELP NEWBIE with bombs and ??'s

[boondock]

I have been reading this forum for 8 months or so as I have been looking to buy my first diesel. I wanted a 12V but I didn't think I would find one in good shape with low miles at a good price but luckly I did. I bought a 98 12V 4X4 QC SB 5 speed with 61K in perfect condition with one owner.



Now to the questions, the truck is supposed to be stock but the emissions test show it is not. The previous owner believes as do I the stock plate has been slide. Last four year on the emissions dyno the have come up in between 233-248 RWHP. It also does not feel like a stock 12V and it also smokes quite a bit.



I live at 7,000', most that will be towed is 3,500 to 4,000 pound boat once a week or every other week.



The bombs I am thinking of ordering are (hopefully today once I get some info) Autometer ultra lite guages (boost 60PSI), EGT, and wondering if I should order the trans temp also??



GSK 3K and a #10 Cam plate as these seem to be what works well in these trucks. I want to end up in the 400 RWHP range but i don't need that power right away and I don't need to drop lots of $$ into the truck right away either.



And the last mod is intake. I am not sure what to get as the prices range from $180-$450 Is it the protection level that goes up or do they flow more air? Thinking AFE Pro-guard but not sure if I should buck up and get the pro-guard 7 or what??



How are my EGTS going to be at my altitude with these mods? I have read that the exhaust is good to around 400hp true?



Anything different you guys would recommend? I planning on trying the stock 5 speed but I am not expecting it to last to long but would like to keep it for a little while. Is this going to last at all?



I also live out of town so I do not have to get emission's done would it help with egts and power to get rid of the C Converter and straight pipe it?



Please help as I want to get this bombing started

 

[SRadke]

Autometer makes nice gauges, no problem there. Trans temp is really not necessary in a 5-speed but good peace of mind.



The magnum force intake by AFE is a nice unit. If you're going to spend the $ get the PG-7, it's worth it.



As for a #10 and 3k springs I can't help much. My last truck was also a 215 pump and I had a #11 in it. That was all the fuel the stock turbo could burn with safe egt's. Basically the stock turbo limits you to about 300 rwhp with safe egt's but I've heard of numbers over 400 if you want to push it.



-Scott

 

[boondock]

Thanks SRadke I went ahead and called Piers and talked to him directly and went ahead and ordered the 2 autometer ultra-lites, 3 GSK, and #10 plate. Seems as though I should be happy with these modsfor a little while.



Keep the comments coming though

 

[ndurbin]

I'll second the autometer guages, #10 plate, and the AFE pro-guard 7. I've been happy with them all so far.



Nathan

 

[edmeyers]

i'm happy with the bhaf p/n AH19037 @ cummins it cost me about $45 and i noticed a drop it egt's at the top of 4th i hit 1300

i know a guy that has a bhaf, stock turbo with a 18cm exhaush housing, 370's, 10 plate and water/meth on a 215pump running 496rwhp @ 1500 degrees on the dyno.