Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) My set up......

[SSage]

I've been thinking about my set up and thinking about durability.



About 23,000 miles ago I added the DTT trans and couldn't resist adding fuel. For years I ran just a TST #6 kit with a BHAF and a muffler elimator from Genos. The power was just ok, it ran good though.



So, in one shot at 65K or so had the fully built and expensive DTT put in. The next day... 3K gov springs, 191 DV's, 370 Marine injectors, HTT S300 62/14, Rip Rook 4" straight exhaust. I later added the valet switch and slid the # 6 plate up and backed the star wheel off a bit more.



So now I cruise at 800 to 900 degrees 5 to 10 psi at 70 to 75 mph. Towing is 800 to 1,000 degrees backing off at 1200. Around town I'm 400 to 700 degrees. Spool up is quick and the smoke is not bad, more of a haze. At full throttle I can hit 40 psi easy and 1100 to 1200 degrees at 80 mph or so on an average freeway on ramp without trying very hard.



I don't usually have the room to stay in the throttle but, it seems to float at 1100 degrees under heavy throttle at 40 psi while running pretty clean and still pulling. My boost guage only goes to 40 so I ordered a 60 pounder and will have it in soon. I was told the turbo is set at 42 psi. I've had it up to 100 mph indicated and the EGT was still under 1200 doing a WOT pull on flat ground.



With that said, I'm happy with it now and its rare that I go over 35 psi while playing. I can break the tires loose when I want to, like whiping the rear around in a turn. Roll on the smoke with a quick stab or let it howl and just haze with a smooth roll on.



I tow heavy at 25 to 30 psi and 1,000 to 1,100 degrees on steep grades at 2500 to 2600 rpm in 3rd gear with my 3. 54 rear. I pull big loads like 12K or more in 3rd at 60 mph at about 900 degress and light loads in OD at the same temps but, 10 mph faster. I stay at 1750 rpm or higher while towing.



I'm finally putting miles on the truck now as its my main ride now. It only has 83K on the clock. Has set ups like mine lasted long? I would like to get another 100K out of it... by that time the truck will be rusted into. :-laf

 

[harrisonm3]

Nice set up.

I spoke with Mark at TST he said the 3k GSK was useless unless your running a #4 or #10 plate.

Have you ever had it on the dyno?

I can't speak to the longevity as I want to do a similar set up. I would like to know as well.

 

[SSage]

You probably misunderstood. Elimating the early defueling and having full power over 2500 rpm is a must for towing. The plate is only the start of modding these trucks. I wouldn't bother with a # 10 unless you have a 215 pump. You say #4, I thought they stopped making that one? I don't know much about them, I just started with a #6 since I had the 160 HP pump. With the Auto trans a gov kit is very usefull. If the fellow told you the 3K kit was a waste unless you get a certain plate he is wrong. I waited for years to do it and when I did the KDP I figured it was time. It made a huge difference, I then added injectors. I also put in higher flow DV's since I had the little 160 pump and it fuels good enough for me now.



The #6 TST plate is more than enough with 370 injectors. I had it forward pretty far and I brought back close to stock position for egt control. It will pull 40 psi pretty easy so, I don't really need more fuel. I probably should just leave it alone since it already runs fairly aggressive for towing duties.



I don't claim to know much, I've just added bolt ons over the years by researching the threads on here. I've had my truck bombed since it had 26K on it. I'm only at 89K now, for years it was my tow rig and I still don't drive it daily. I ride my motorcycles instead.



But the plates must be chosen with your engine rating in mind... My stock auto gave up at 67K with the #6. Once I put in the DTT I added the fuel and HTT 62/14. . I had the #6 slid forward and it was fun, just too hot for towing with 370's.

 

[GAmes]

I've been thinking about my set up and thinking about durability.



I'm finally putting miles on the truck now as its my main ride now. It only has 83K on the clock. Has set ups like mine lasted long? I would like to get another 100K out of it... by that time the truck will be rusted into. :-laf

There is a definite corralation in increasing HP and decreasing engine life. However, a mere 183k on your engine will be, IMO, a walk in the park. The real key is preventative maintenance. Oil changes, fuel filter replacements and coolant flushes are what makes an engine live a long life. I can't mentally corrolate the auto gears to my manual trans, but after towing lots of big trailers over lots of mountains I can tell you that my engine likes 2000 to 2200 rpm. The NV4500s that I went thru didn't like boost over 20 psi in 5th gear (OD).

 

[SSage]

There is a definite corralation in increasing HP and decreasing engine life. However, a mere 183k on your engine will be, IMO, a walk in the park. The real key is preventative maintenance. Oil changes, fuel filter replacements and coolant flushes are what makes an engine live a long life. I can't mentally corrolate the auto gears to my manual trans, but after towing lots of big trailers over lots of mountains I can tell you that my engine likes 2000 to 2200 rpm. The NV4500s that I went thru didn't like boost over 20 psi in 5th gear (OD).

My RPM depends on load, I have the 3. 54's with the auto, wish I had the 4. 10's. Over 8K in tow I can't hardly use OD at sane speeds. I don't usually tow at 75 mph. I perfer about 63 mph at 1800 or so rpm if the load isn't over sized.



My 12 valve truck has always liked 2200 rpm or better while towing heavy. I usually towed my 18K 5th wheel in 3rd at 2500 to 2700 rpm... But, thats a real over loaded truck.



I didn't travel across the country with that big monster. The toy hauler is gone now, I mainly tow a 7 ton flat deck tag trailer. Hauling manure and fairly small farm tractors now. The ole boat has done well considering almost all the miles were towing something or carring something...



My only break down was the starter failure, the Larry B kit fixed that. What a pain to fix though. I hated removing the starter in a campground. .



It has been very reliable, oil every 5K or once a year, coolant about every two years, gear oil every year and transmission every 10K to 15K. Keep in mind I don't drive it every day so, I will actually do everything every 12 months... except brakes, I've been lacking in that area. I did flush the fluid a few months ago but, it had been in there for years. .