OK Frank, I broke down and bought a 94 5-speed

[jsimpson]

single cab dually. For the best use of my bucks, what do I do in what order to maximize power, logevity, fuel economy and driveability? Where do I spend my first thousand? my second thousand? I'm into the truck for less than eight grand and I use it to carry my 3500 pound Lance and pull either a 7x12 motorcycle trailer (single axle), a two horse trailer, a 38 foot Wells Cargo reverse fifth wheel, or a 34 foot Avion. Mostly in South Florida!

 

[Extreme1]

If it's an automatic, fix it.



Then - on to the horsepower! Speed is a question of money, how fast can you afford to go? How much work will you do yourself? Are there any good shops in the area?

 

[jsimpson]

I do my own work. There are good shops in the area, but everything in south Florida is inordiantely expensive. IU already stated how much I want to spend. Now I want to know what to spend it on and in what order.

 

[BCFAST]

Good shops?

I havent found one yet!!! Tell me where they are, please. Anyway, you wont be spending a second thousand, unless you need tires or some major stuff. For approx. $1000, you can do a plate, delivery valves, injectors, intake, exhaust, and a larger turbo housing. You will be in the 350hp neighborhood and in need of Peter's clutch!



Brian

 

[Strick-9]

Call Piers. I think he's driving the same truck.



Since you have the 5-speed, you don't have to worry with the off -idle stumble, so my first thousand would go like this.



Diamond B 370's

Gov. spring kit (Piers only)

Pump work is free, if you search the archives long enough and do it yourself. All the info is here for 100+ hp gains.

I can't help with clutch selection, but you'll need a STRONG one at this point.



At this stage you'll have tons of power and outrageous EGTs.

It costs a lot of money to cool it down.



Air filters

4" exhausts

twin turbos

head porting

lowering compression



You also have driveability and smoothness mods like:



advanced timing

delivery valves

AFC spring kit or extensive pump tuning



After a year of modifying my truck, my main issues are smoothness and EGT reduction. Both are VERY expensive to cure. > $2000 for each. So, I drive a truck that lopes at idle with the AC on and can peg an EGT gauge by 50 mph.



I've done most of the mods above and I hope this helps.

-Chris

 

[jsimpson]

Thanks guys; I guess I should refine my question to ask what improvements I can make that will NOT take me to power levels that will overpower my stock clutch!

 

[J DeMaio]

What? JSimpson. You are going to retire the 1 st generation rig? I love those trucks and I thought you did also What made you buy another truck, should continue to use the old one. You have a lot of modifications done to it don't you? Oh well, just playin around.



I think with a set of gauges, exhaust, K&N air filter, and a plate you would be making enough power. ~240 Don't have to spend too much money for a little more power.



See ya



John

 

[jsimpson]

Sounds good John! I made the decision for a bunch of reasons:

*5 speed

*power mirrors

*better seats

*better pump

*positraction

*availability of parts and accessories

Now the hard part is figuring out how to make the second gen look and run as good as my first gen!

 

[Extreme1]

Call Piers!



I would suggest 215 injectors, a larger turbo housing and a #5 plate from TST. (My set up, drives completely different, good mpgs too)



Then buy a clutch, don't even bother with trying to make the stock live!

 

[F Simkowski (In Memory)]

jsimpson:

All congrats to you on your "new" truck purchase. It's good to see your intelligent quest for the big four needs: POWER, LONGEVITY, FUEL ECONOMY, and DRIVEABILITY.

There has been a previous post by Ted J about the "proper order of upgrades"... good reading and accurate advice.

I'd suggest giving Ted a call and checking out the links for Ted's and the other top notch suppliers of engine/truck upgrades and expert advice.

Keep in mind that as a daily driver that truck can and should produce ALL of the BIG FOUR attributes as mentioned.

Best of luck

Frank S.

 

[jsimpson]

Thanks Frank, and the rest of you too!