Increasing Pulling Power

[danmcguire]

I have just returned home after six months on the road as a snow bird pulling a 9. 000 # 5th wheel from Seattle to Florida and across USA to Arizona and then back to Seattle. my truck which is stock '97 2500 5. 9l with a 3. 54 rear end and a transmission cooler did great. However, I have some questions for the group. Why does locking the OD in the off position give me more pulling power even in the lower speeds and gears (way below the normal 40 mph kick-in speed)? Also, is it typical for a diesel truck (even without a load)to really feel sluggish from a dead stop up to about 35-40 mph? This is my first diesel and I didn't know what to expect when I first began driving it. Lastly, I am interested in pull a little more "umph" in my engine for pulling a load up hills, accelerating from 0, ect. but am not into racing, etc. What are the most cost effect modifications that have the least potential for damaging transmission, etc. I have installed a K & N air filter. What do you recommend next? Thanks Dan

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Add more fuel & more air. Get a TST (or equivilent) plate & boost elbow, and turn up the line pressure a little on your transmission.

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

 

[FParisi]

Welcome Dan!

There is lots of good info here. I don't know why it feels like it pulls better with OD locked out, are you feeling the TC lock up in 3rd?

The sluggish feeling taking off is probably the TC slipping - if there are a lot of miles on the truck you might want to do the whole transmission upgrade -It sounds like you are fairly close to one of the acknowledged gurus - Bill of DTT.

First step would be gauges if you don't have them, then fuel + air + transmission.

Frank

 

[Steve Roseman]

Dan,

There's a lot of "umph" just waiting under your hood to be released.

A TST kit would do wonders for you. What you need to do is get together with the Northwest Bombers, sounds like quite a group up that way. They would probably let you ride in different setups so you would be able to make a better decision on what you want to do.

When overdrive is off, the torque converter locks up much sooner. That is probably why you notice a big difference.

 

[BCFAST]

Dan, you can add all the power in the world but with a stock automatic transmission, very little of it will ever get to the ground. Without doing a thing to the motor, contact DTT. You wont believe the performance, drivability and mpg increase!

 

[DavidGardner]

Dan

If you live close to Olympia you are welcome to drive mine and try it out. You wont belive the difference from a stock 12 valve with auto trans. See my signature for the mods I have done. I tow a 26 ft tt with slide out.

 

[Forrest]

danmcguire - I spoke with a full timer with a rig almost the same as yours. I don't remember the year now, but he called TST & spoke with Mark about plates. Mark had 2 plates that he could use w/o transmission mods. The 1st one took him to 605 ft-lbs. That 1st step is a huge torque increase. The 2nd plate took him to the 670 ft-lb range. He went straight to the 2nd plate.

 

[FParisi]

They are right. Just the plate will make a huge difference - But, gauges first, then fuel + increase air in +out. IMO. Your catalytic convertor may be getting clogged too.

Driving different set ups would be ideal. But Caution! Bombing is addictive and exxpensive! But it does make those long hauls much more enjoyable.

Have Fun!

Frank

 

[LarryB]

Personally, I would go with the 4K gov spring kit right off the bat. Adds no HP or strain on your transmission but makes a big difference pulling. It allows you to make your existing HP over a wider rpm range. Makes the truck a pleasure to drive instead of a chore. With only 4 gears to choose from you have a problem when you have such a narrow powerband. We made this change on a friends stock 98-12v and it helped his pulling alot, especially with a heavier load.



Getting "a little" more power can be a slippery slope. You most likely are going to fall into the HP trap. Once you feel it, you "need" more.