Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) new owner 97 12v 168k some mods need advice

[DIngram]

Hello everyone,

Just purchased my first diesel pickup, can someone help me figure out the a list of things to check out.



Mods:

191 delivery valves



diesel dynamics stage 3 injectors



diesel dynamics fuel (cam) plate



16cm turbine housing



lift pump 15. 5 degree timing



D. T. T. transmission with billet input shaft



Mag Hi Tech extra capacity tansmission pan



Diesel dynamics 4" exaust



Diesel dynamics guage cluster: pyro,boost



3k governor springs



The previous owner had the truck on a chassis dyno 350hp and around 850 ft/lbs, does this sound right?



I' don't know how to tell what # of cam plate that was installed.



Plan on doing:

#1 check if KDP killed

#2 change oil and fuel filter

#3 BHAF



Any suggestions?





Thanks in advance

Derek

 

[McLaughlin]

The list could be pretty long but in no particular order my thoughts are:



Pacbrake or other exhaust brake

Bilstein or other performance shocks.

LineX or other spray on bed liner

Summit headlight wiring harness - improves the headlight brightness

If steer is bad/marginal; a steering stabilizer, 3rd gen track bar, Thuren replacement bar or PSC steering box.

Mr Bob's Silicone hoses or similar.

Kore suspension

Centermatics or other wheel balancers

HD bumpers

Snow water injection

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'm curious why you would recomend an exhaust brake when he hasn't even said what he plans on using the truck for?

 

[McLaughlin]

I'm curious why you would recomend an exhaust brake when he hasn't even said what he plans on using the truck for?

From everything I have seen, an exhaust brake can be helpful regardless of the use. About the only place I've heard they should not be used is during low traction situation and even then I've seen discussion on both sides of the issue. Also, from what I have read, the appropriate use of an exhaust brake can help significantly strech the life of the service brakes. If you doubled the life of the brakes, it would not take long for an ebrake to pay for itself. Without knowing his application, I just listed a bunch of things to consider.

 

[DIngram]

What about fuel additive? previous owner said that he used a "bg" product every second tank.

-McLaughlin can you tell me any info on your trans from DTT?

 

[TEasley]

I have a '97 that I just started on. 133,000 mi. Bought new. I didn't see a fuel pressure gage or a trans temp gage on your list. Sounds like the previous owner knew what he was doing, so it's probably ok, but you might check the pre-filter. I just found out this week that I had one. Also, I had to have all four ball joints changed out at 124,000 mi. (2 wheel drive) They were very bad. Replacements have Zerk fittings, OEM didn't. The Dana 70 axle seals leaked hypoid gear lube into the brake drums and saturated the shoes, but there were no outward signs.



Be sure the KDP has been killed. I'm doing mine this weekend, been living on borrowed time.



Tom.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

From everything I have seen, an exhaust brake can be helpful regardless of the use. About the only place I've heard they should not be used is during low traction situation and even then I've seen discussion on both sides of the issue. Also, from what I have read, the appropriate use of an exhaust brake can help significantly strech the life of the service brakes. If you doubled the life of the brakes, it would not take long for an ebrake to pay for itself. Without knowing his application, I just listed a bunch of things to consider.

do you have one?

 

[DIngram]

no, i don't have an exhaust brake, just daily driver

 

[cksh8me]

Buy fuel enjoy

 

[jeepullr]

Pacbrake is nice on a DD. On a tow rig it's a "must". Glad my P/O thought to put on the Jakebrake, it's one of the best mods on the truck. I rarely have to use my service brakes on the long downhills we encounter in the Appilachian mountains.

 

[McLaughlin]

What about fuel additive? previous owner said that he used a "bg" product every second tank.

-McLaughlin can you tell me any info on your trans from DTT?

Purchased in Jul 05. As purchased included: complete transmission(actually used the shell from my old transmission), torque converter, billet shaft, billet hub, smart controller, mag-Hytec deep oil pan. I think it was an had an 89% converter but couldn't find that in my records. Valve body has the 2nd gear lock up option (which you need if you are going to effectively run an exhaust brake.



transmission was checked at 1500 miles after install: pan and filter were clean. Follow on checks are due at 15000 mi intervals.



TEasley mentioned the transmission temp. Not a bad idea especially if you are towing; however, over the last year, my transmission temp gauge has only gotten up to 160 once (in Pheonix traffic when it was 100 degrees out). Otherwise this summer during the 90+ degree weather we had here it has only gotten up to 140 degrees max(all my temps are just daily driving unloaded).



I have been extremely happy with the performance of the DTT transmission and the professionalism of the factory certified installer.



If you have other questions about the DTT let me know and I'll answer them if I can.

 

[McLaughlin]

do you have one?

Yes and no. Purchased a PacBrake earlier this year but blew a head gasket and had a problem with the block (there was a manufacturing defect) which delayed the installation.



I was going to put it on over the labor day weekend; however, my daughter took it and is having it installed on her '96 next week. She is scheduled to haul horses about 10K miles over the next month and we decided she needed it worse then me. Besides I've got a couple of things I want to straighten out regarding the turbo/intake/exhaust on my truck which may push me to use an inline ebrake vice the turbo mount ebrake I bought.



Either way, I am going to put an ebrake on as soon as I can. My driving habits are a bit hard on the service brakes(I'm not real good a coasting up to them, I always expect the light to change before I get there but it never seems to :-laf ).

 

[bmoeller]

Hello everyone,

Just purchased my first diesel pickup, can someone help me figure out the a list of things to check out.



Mods:

191 delivery valves



diesel dynamics stage 3 injectors



diesel dynamics fuel (cam) plate



16cm turbine housing



lift pump 15. 5 degree timing (That would be the fuel injection pump timing, not lift pump. )



D. T. T. transmission with billet input shaft



Mag Hi Tech extra capacity tansmission pan



Diesel dynamics 4" exaust



Diesel dynamics guage cluster: pyro,boost



3k governor springs



The previous owner had the truck on a chassis dyno 350hp and around 850 ft/lbs, does this sound right? Unless he was on a load type dyno, the tq sounds a bit high, but not out of possiblity. I put down a best of 363/793 with stock governor springs/4. 10 gears at IRP '06.



I' don't know how to tell what # of cam plate that was installed. Will have to remove the AFC housing, and look for a number that should be stamped on the top of the plate. I'm guessing a plate equivelant to a TST #10.



Plan on doing:

#1 check if KDP killed

#2 change oil and fuel filter

#3 BHAF



Any suggestions?





Thanks in advance

Derek

To add to your to-do list-



Change all of the fluids, if they haven't already been done. Front (if equipped) and rear diffs and transfer-case (if equipped, of if it wasn't changed when the transmission was done). Brake fluid and power steering fluid.



Check the belt tensioner and replace belt, if not done within a couple of years.



KDP for sure. Also, when you pull the timing cover off, check the inside case bolts and Loctite them. Mine were loose.



No need to use a tab on the KDP. I just drove mine back into the hole, and peened the hole with a small punch.

 

[RDelissen]

another suggestion: transmission temp gauge