Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Need help on what to do next

[Dkevdog]

Well after pulling a 8700lb fiver for a 2600 mile trip through varying terrain, I've got a pretty good idea of what I can and can't do. My first observation is that I could really use an exhaust brake for those 16% (or worse) grades . That is a no brainer, just need to let the money tree bloom.



What isn't so obvious to me is how to deal with EGT problems and a sluggish bottom end. While towing, on mostly level ground I see regular pre turbo temps of 900 - 1000. Not a big deal, I know. However, when any incline or grade is involved, that will rapidly climb to 1250 or more unless I take my foot out of it and pull it out of OD. When I do that, I lose momentum and have to give it more foot to stay in there, which causes the temps to shoot righ back up. I'm not asking to pull a 6% grade at 75 with EGT at 800, but I would like not to have to do it 35 or 40 just to keep the temps down. And even empty, I don't really have alot of off the line power until I see 1400RPM.



SO... ... injectors? Replace the exhaust? Larger turbo??



The truck is a 96 12v, has the Banks Power Pak, ATS manifold, AFE air filter, DTT 89% VB&TC. Recently had a valve job if that has anything to do with it.



Any thoughts would be great.



Kev

 

[WKener]

What kind of exhaust does the Banks powerpack come with (or any at all)? I noticed you are in California, so maybe taking the catalytic converter out is not something you want to do? You say you have an AFE filter, does that mean you are using an AFE filter in the stock box? If so, then going to an open element would result in lower temps. .

 

[Dkevdog]

Guess I should have specified..... The AFE is the "funnel air intake kit"- which already is an open air style filter. To tell the truth, I saw no temperature difference what-so-ever between the AFE setup over the stock housing with a K&N filter. Let the air filter wars begin again, but at idle I still say the EGT temps are higher with the open filter than they were before.



As for the exhaust... ... . the Banks system is an all stainless Cat back, so I still have the Cat and from the turbo downpipe to that point is stock. I'm thinking of replacing it. Id like to go straight, but am not sure. The removal of the cat doesn't bother me, at this stage anyway CA does not have visual inspection yet.



Kev

 

[Heetseeker_1]

2 things

I would go with a free flow exhaust and then a 16cm turbine housing. With your trans upgrade, there might be a little more lag on the starts but you will benefit on the grades with lower egt's.



Do you have smoke on starts now?



Steve.

 

[Dkevdog]

I have a little smoke on starts, but noticed that I had alot of smoke on exceleration whil pulling the load. This was greatly exaggerated with increases in elevation, I assume this is normal. I think I have the 14 cm housing on the turbo now, I believe that is what the Banks Kit upgrades the turbo to. Which free flow exhaust would you reccomend? Jardine? And from the downpipe on?



Kev

 

[bighammer]

Timing?

How 'bout a bump in the timing? Advancing timing a couple degrees might help.



My BHAF seemed to ring down max temps. I didn't notice a change at idle.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Dkevdog...

there is a pretty good article in issue thirty-seven by Joseph Donnelly about how he "had the need for 'HP'" and how he was able to keep the EGT in check through the various stages. You may find some help there.

 

[Heetseeker_1]

go big

Kev,



Any ol' 4" system will do. I would shop price and get definately go from the turbo back. If you got the downpipe, you could even build it yourself with a chop saw, welder and a few clamps and hangers... most of which you can buy right from Napa. Truck shops have a good supply of 4" and 5"pipe too. Come out in front of the axle for a mean look and sound. I suspect that most of your egt woes do come from post turbo so I would do that first.



Sluggishness on starts while pulling a trailer is a sysmptom of a tight TC, you will have to learn to live with that though I hear injectors may improve power through out the power band.



What HP rating is the Banks Power Pack torque plate? 230? 250? Perhaps a different plate may help though I'm not familiar with the banks stuff.



Steve.

 

[WKener]

Yeah, what is that "ottomind fuel calibration plate" rated at (as Heetseeker said)? What kind of boost are you seeing?



I know that when I switched from the stock box/filter to the open K&N (0880) I noticed a significant drop in egt's, around 150* when pulling a steep grade. And then noticed another good drop when I pulled the cat out...



I would hold off on the 16cm turbine housing until all other options have been exhausted, because I don't think you are going to like the lag you will experience with the 16cm2/89% VB/TC combo.

 

[Dkevdog]

I don't know exactly what the ottomind plate is rated for as far as HP. The whole "kit" is rated for 127HP, I doubt that very seriously. On the test results portion of the website Banks it talks about towing up a 7% grade with speeds of 67Mph, that is the biggest bunch of BS I've ever seen written. Towing a 2000lb trailer maybe, but who in the heck tows like that? My trailer weighs in at abour 9000 loaded, and I guess I could probably try and tow uphill at 67, but who's gonna replace everything when it melts?



BTW- I have a 91% TC & VB, not the 89%.



Kev

 

[Deezul1]

The larger exhaust does very little to help you until about the 500hp level. It would be nice to know what items are in the Banks kit. With my setup I have enough power that I dont have to get on the throttle much when climbing hills and can usually haul 6500lbs at the speed limit up almost anything as long as I dont try to speed up and then the EGT will be touchy. Most guys that I talked to about the 4" exhaust said the only benefit was a different tone, no EGT help.