Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Help selecting TST torque plate.

[scramblin]

I need you folks with real life experience to help me with this. I am trying to decide which TST plate to choose. My truck is a 98, 5 speed, 180hp. The previous owner took the EGR stuff off and replaced the intake manifold with the 95 version. It has a 4" exhaust and a K&N drop in filter. The injectors have been changed, but I dont know what they are. Currently I have the AFC housing full forward and the stock plate at about 1/8" forward from stock. It has a good even power band through the rpms untill about 2800 rpms. I tow a 15klb trailer about once a month or less. With the current set up my EGTs usually max at about 1100-1200 with the hammer down. What plate can I get to maximize power and still maintain safe EGTs. I don't want 95% of my driving to be monitoring the pyro while I am towing. TST recommended a #8 it looks kind of mild to me, am I wrong? Thanks for the help. BTW my buddies that I usually go camping with, all have the Chevys with the Duramax.

 

[RColston]

scramblin,



I am running a #5 TST, stock injectors and my 96 pulls great and the EGT's are easily controlled. Ya can't just keep your foot on the floor all the time. The plate is in the position reccomended by TST, as well as the housing.



Good luck.



Rick.

 

[Deezul1]

I guess the 180hp rating is due to being a Calif truck? Check the TST web page for plate ratings and stay under 285 hp or so with a stock clutch. Or call Piers and see what he recomends.



http://www.tstproducts.com/index.html



http://www.piersdiesel.com/

 

[scramblin]

Originally posted by RColston

scramblin,



I am running a #5 TST, stock injectors and my 96 pulls great and the EGT's are easily controlled. Ya can't just keep your foot on the floor all the time. The plate is in the position reccomended by TST, as well as the housing.



Good luck.



Rick.

Rick,

Is yours a 180hp? How was the power differece from stock?



Thanks

Scramblin

 

[scramblin]

Originally posted by Deezul1

I guess the 180hp rating is due to being a Calif truck? Check the TST web page for plate ratings and stay under 285 hp or so with a stock clutch. Or call Piers and see what he recomends.



http://www.tstproducts.com/index.html



http://www.piersdiesel.com/

Deezul,



I looked at the TST site. I am trying to get real life experience opinions. As far as my clutch, I currently have a LuK pro gold. I don't know what the max rating is for that clutch. I think I remember reading a post from one of the members of this list with 400hp with the same clutch I have?



Thanks,

Scramblin

 

[RColston]

scramblin,



The truck dyno'd at 279 rwhp with a sick pump. Probably somewhat better now. Seat o the pants power is good, pulls my 14k 5th wheel with no real problems. 16 cm/2 housing also helps control the EGT's. I'm running a stock clutch with 128k mi. on it, no slippage yet. This truck is for sale in So. Cal. if ya know anyone thats lookin. Feel free to PM me.



Rick

 

[C. Harlan]

I would say a 11 plate... good power, not too high EGT's in stock position, and it works with the stock clutch!!!



-Chris-

 

[scramblin]

Originally posted by charlan

I would say a 11 plate... good power, not too high EGT's in stock position, and it works with the stock clutch!!!



-Chris-

Would a #11 work on a 180 hp engine?

 

[C. Harlan]

I don't see why not... . hey, there are people using a 4 in a 98-12 man tran. . TST says that 8 is the biggest you can go in a 98-12 manny transmission... I dont see why it would be a problem...



-Chris-

 

[TPCDrafting]

I recently had a AFC spring kit, 3k GSK and #11 plate added. The plate was in the stock position to start with. The pedal responce was considerably better and no more defueling at 2600 rpm. The power was on all the way to 3000 rpm. The EGT's weren't too bad although I really didn't get a chance to tow much with it. The 4th gear excelleration was unchanged from the stock plate. With help I slid the plate all the way forward and now the truck is really alive. I pulled 3 horses up the interstate to the mountains over the weekend. It's about 30 miles of steady climbing, not sure of the grade, but we're at 6000' at the bottom. I wasn't able to go past half throttle due to EGT's. But I was doing an amazing 75-80 mph the whole way. The pyro was between 1000 and 1200 the entire time. Before any bombs were added, I could go that fast, but I was 3/4 to WOT much of the hill. I would try to do some research as to which injectors you have. With a #11 and lets say 370's you might be over 400hp. (I'm only speculating from what I've read here, I could be wrong) I'll be going to a better air filter and possilbly bigger exhaust soon. Very soon, I'll be sliding the plate back a bit to hopefully bring down the EGTs.

 

[Neibe]

The nice thing about TST is you can upgrade free for 30 days after that it only costs $50. I put in a #12 which is 230/605 and wow it is fast i almost can't shift it fast enough with my foot on the floor. I have the stock clutch and no slippage fords and chevys are in my rearview mirror wishing they could keep up. got 126,000 miles on my truck.

 

[1dslram]

TPC is on the right track that is exactly what I would recomend for a start and then later you could add a piers hybrid HX35 and be is sweet city.

Bruce