Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Is this list of mods reasonable?

[CCiatteo]

Well the bug just bit me and after doing lots of search on the forums here I think I have half a clue what I want and how to get there. But I know I am not the first and would like the benefit of others experience.



What I want is an increase in power without a major sacrifice in the economy (currently 17-20 mpg), nor do I want to smoke everyone out when I take off from a light. I believe my limiting factors from a durability stand point will be the clutch and the stock injectors. With my truck being a 97 with the 5sp I think I have the 215hp pump/injector combo? Currently the only mod is an aftermarket 4" stainless exhaust (no cat, not sure if it came with one?).



My driving style is average to slightly above average and I run empty 90% of the time, occasionally I pull a small landscape trailer and eventually I'll be towing my car to the track (open trailer) so I don't have any real towing restrictions to speak of. I live in central Jersey so altitude is not an issue.



With that being said I am thinking along these lines, tell me what you think



Gauges are here and just need to be installed. (Autometer EGT and Boost 60lb)



KDP kit is order and on its way



3k Governor Spring Kit



TST #10 plate (or #11???)



Air filter/box/snorkel, but which one and which stage??



Timing??



At that point I think I'm at the limits of the clutch and probably the stock injectors? So I think that's as far I am willing to go at this point.



Is this reasonable? and is the order correct. Ideally I would do all of this at once so the order is less important than the component selection. I will end up doing this work myself to save some cash, and also to be come familiar with this beast.



The truck has 3. 54 gears and I run 265/70-16E tires if that helps



Thanks for any and all input

 

[CSchafer]

sounds like your pretty well on top of it. Might be close to the clutches limit, not for shore though.

 

[Hammer]

Chris. .

I'd say NOT to do the 10 plate in this combo and with the addition of the 3k kit and you having the miles on the stock clutch I wouldn't reccomned any plate larger than a 12 plate. Even the 11 plate at 280hp/680tq is dancing on the thin edge for the miles on your clutch. Hook her to a trailer later and your finished,kaput.



The smaller 12 plate with the right tune up will suit your needs fine and go easier on your clutch. You can always upgrade the plate only if you buy it from TST at a later date after you did the clutch... . Andy

 

[The patriot]

I have pretty much an identical truck (mine's a 98) and with only a BHAF, injectors and "adjusted" star wheel it made a BIG difference.

I have a #10 plate but I'm waiting until I do the cluch to install it.

I'm at 116,000 miles, and I've owned it since new. I drove this like a baby, but I still fear the cluch wont handle the plate. I tow about the same that you do, but with a 32' TT.

I'd like to bump up my timing. There's a guy on Rt 34 in Wall that works on these trucks. His name escapes me at the moment. I believe he has a dyno.

Also, I was quoted $125-$150 from Hans's in E'town to do the timing. That's the spill port method IIRC. Hans does good work, he used to work on my bro's Peterbilt.

Eric

 

[JGrover]

My 97 5 speed

Im getting 20mpg as of last fill up.

Stock I got 19. 4 mpg 1800/2000 rpm cruise speeds pulling hills

Banks twin ram setup got 265rwhp/696tq 19. 8 mpg. (Stock clutch held pulling 9k)

Gear venders OD jumped to 20mpg maybe 21 if I got lucky

Installed #10 plate 030 forward First fill 20mpg, 2nd fill 19mpg speeds over 80mph

Installed new 60/14 hybrid turbo. back to 20 mpg as of friday

From post ive read here. Should be in the 360rwhp now

Talked to a injector shop. Was told installing bosch 300hp injectors would put me at 400/420 rwhp

Was told a #10 plate . 040 slid back from stock postion. The stock clutch will hold.

Your stock 12cm exhaust housing will get way to hot.

Change it out for a 14cm wastegated housing. Can then upgrade to a new 58/60cm hybrid compressor wheel later if you want. ( i did) Sure sounds sweet

My egts are good, But trying to get my boost psi below 40psi today(wastegate adjusting time)

On the air filter. Save money on the BHAF or a amsoil cleanable 4" inlet type

When you do your clutch, You might want to have a new transmission input seal put in. Mine was leaking at 150k and clutch was slipping. Thought I had some power But it was a gear oil leak :{ Found out the cause when putting in the So Bend clutch