New fuel plate and high egt's?

[WKener]

Hey all, I am a new member, just joined and I have a question...

I have a '97 (see sig) and I am getting ready to begin the bombing process. I am about to order a new plate, but I am still unsure what to get. I really want the TST 280/680, but am also considering the 230/605 strictly for egt purposes (although I know I would probly go to the 280 eventually). I have the K&N 0880 already, and I am about to lose the cat, and I am more than likely getting a new muffler (I don't have the $$ for a full 4" right now. )...
Now do you think that if I add the 280 plate, keeping it centered, with just those other mods, my egt's will get too high? Would I need to get the psychotty and/or 4" exhaust first?
I will be doing most of my driving in the mountains of Colorado, so I am also trying to consider the altitute. I will not, however, be towing anything substantial anytime soon, or until I improve the airflow a little more. So whadd'ya think?

------------------
'97 2500 ext cab, long bed, 4x4, 5spd
Just the stock plate forward...
New plate, etc etc on it's way.

[This message has been edited by WKener (edited 05-01-2001). ]

 

[DieselDog]

I don't think you'll really have any problems. Get the big plate, put it in and enjoy !!
You can control the egt w/your right foot man !! If your not pulling anything I don't think you'll have any problems. What I did (see sig) is the guages first, then drove it around awhile. Then I put in the plate and started working to get it where I liked it.
Just gor for the big plate after the guages, control the egt with your foot and as you can, change the other stuff !!

------------------
'96 12valve 4x4, White EXT Cab SLT Long Bed. Kenwood CD player w/100 watt custom made subwoofer built under back seat. Silencer ring gone, 3. 55, DTT TC & VB (WOW !!) TST #8 (230/605). Moster tip from GENO'S, ISSPRO Guages on the "A" pillar. "TNT" sprayed in bedliner-also sprayed along lower rocker panel and in the front door threshold. Off to a good start!! MORE TO COME !!

 

[WKener]

Yeah, the guages are already on order... I have spent enough time browsing the forums to know that the guages must come first #ad
And thanks for the reassurance, I really do wan't the bigger plate, and I know I would step up to it eventually...

 

[drawson]

It will be the clutch that you'll have to worry about more than EGT.

------------------
EAT'M UP
97 2500 Club 4X4 3. 54, Forrest Green/Driftwood, LSD 5 speed, & Psychotty Air System, TST #11, 370 HP injectors, timing at 16 deg. , 16CM2 housing, AFC spring kit, TST EGT gauge & 0-60 boost gauge in A Pillar, Cat-be-gone, 4" Dynomax Bullet muffler, Crome 4" turn down, 2 Electric Fans, One inside/ One out front, AmsOil Through out, Geno's trans filter kit, AmsOil Bypass system, Lund Winter front, Leer Cab Level Shell Driftwood , 255/85R16, South Bend's Hypo Clutch*NRA/USPSA member and proud of it*

 

[WKener]

Thanks guys, I am going to try to be easy on the clutch, I kinda knew I would be close to the limit for that anyway... I do plan on a new clutch, exhaust, injectors, etc etc before I feel I am 'adequately' bombed #ad
#ad

 

[fishnhuntr]

I installed #10 plate with no other changes. I was able to slip the clutch easily in 3,4,&5th gear without full pedal mashing just by trying to merge traffic at the on-ramps. Set the plate all the way back and drove less pedal-was still able to slip the clutch on full pedal mash. I exchanged the #10 for #11 and set in stock postion-clutch holds empty. But pulling my 29' 5th wheeler, I can slip it on trying to merge again. Driving with a light foot, it holds but for how long?? I like the feel of the #11 much better-not quite as aggessive. My egt's run ok except when towing. In 5th slight grade or against a wind-I see about 1000 at 65-70 mph. When speed falls below 60 and I go to 4th-watch the temps as above 1000 come easily and quickly, even the slighest toe pressure will make the needle move like a tacometer. I seem to actually loose speed in trying to maintain 60-65 in 4th because of the egt's being so sensitive. The power in 5th is great and can pull really well at lower rpm's and speeds. I tow a boat behind the camper but have not tried that yet-may not be able to without a new clutch. My truck is a 97 3500 5sp with 40,000 miles. I am concerned about the egt's also why they rise so quickly in a lower gear trying to maintain speed. Cat gone but rest stock-suggestions??

 

[WKener]

fishnhuntr, I would say that you really need to improve airflow more if your egt's are getting too high. I would get the K&N 0880 or go one better and get the psychotty, then go with a 4" exhaust. That is what I am going to do in a little while, but I will not be loaded up until then.

 

[danandamy]

I've got the #6 plate slid all the way forward for that little somthin' extra #ad
I like this combo because running solo egt's are almost never a problem, a good thing considering I have my wife's Ram set up this way. They can get up there towing on a long grade. Thank goodness for the gauges #ad
Next goodies for the engine after transmission mods will be injectors. Any of ya'll know how much more power I'll get if I wind up going with the 215 injectors? I'm more interested in backing off some of the pressure the pump is taking with the stock injectors but won't mind if I get a little more smoke for the mini vans #ad


Daniel

------------------
Wife's truck:
95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54 automatic JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N chunked, AFC adjusted, "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward, silencer ring removed

My truck:
95 2500 SLT Laramie 4x4 automatic, Geno's dual EGT/Boost gauge, Dodge cat test pipe (I'm still testing hehe), Geno's muffler eliminator pipe, AFC star wheel adjusted for smoke show, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC Housing slid all the way forward... let the fun begin!

"Only thing better than having a Cummins is having TWO Cummins"

 

[illflem]

Unless you like to stomp the pedal to the floor and hold it there you will have no problem with the EGTs or clutch. Just drive sensibly. Adding the plate will be almost like buying a new truck for you, you'll love it.