Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Plan for my Bomb

[Roger Dodger]

I have been a member for several years now, but have done very little with my truck. I finally sold my Suburban, and now I have to get off my duff and make my truck a suitable tow vehicle before I retire from the military (3 years left). My Travel Trailer now sits in the storage unit until I get the truck ready. The travel trailer weighs 8500# dry. Future use of the truck will include a large 5th wheel.



I have the cash now for a new transmission. I have decided on the ATS stage 3 transmission with the electronic controller. They give a 10% military discount! I am convinced of their engineering excellence and quality. My current transmission sux.



I am selling a house and will have a good chunk of change to finish the bomb within 6 months.



The guidelines for my plans:

I do not want to make a bunch of black smoke, It is just wasted fuel.

I want quality, I believe you pay in the end.

I need to tow strong with as low EGT's as possible.

This truck is possibly my last truck.

I do not want to damage the truck.

I want the widest power band, the best fuel economy, and most reliability (I understand that these three things may be mutually exclusive to some extent. I understand my right foot controls my fuel efficiency, but I also understand that I will get better fuel mileage from a set of twins or the ATS 5 star torque converter versus a single turbo or some other torque converter)



I talked to ATS about the Bomb plan. They recommend the following:



Compound turbo set (Aurora 3000/5000 set (comes with the intake and exhaust manifold): I am convinced of the advantages of twins for towing and efficiency.

the ATS cam. It will provide a wide power band.

90 Hp injectors.

#10 fuel plate

3K GSK springs

Head Studs

Exhaust system



I want to add to this list:

Gages.

Fluidampr

Timing adjust???

Do i need to put fire rings? (ATS says no)

Exhaust brake (Pacbrake)(controlled by the transmission controller)

Rear end differential cover (Mag Hytec)



The steering is a separate subject.



What say you? Please chime in with your recommendations.

 

[GOlsen]

For what it's worth, I've heard terrible things about ATS customer service. Seems like they treated you well when you called and wanted to give them money, but the majority of the people I've heard talk about ATS say that it's impossible to get ahold of them for warranty service, which you will need.

That being said, I would recommend a trans from Goerend, DTT, or Suncoast. Gauges are a must before doing most anything. Fire rings are a bad idea on a street truck.

This is just a start, I'm sure you'll get a ton of great answers on here.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I have read about bad customer service and problems with their trans. I have to agree with going with Goerend, DTT or Suncoast.

The twins sound good and everything else you could o-ring the heads I wouldn't fire-ring them, it really depends how much boost (psi) you will be putting in the cylinders to o-ring them.



Gauges first. You will need to see what it does in stock form to know if you really got an improvement when its Bombed.

 

[Roger Dodger]

i guess i mispoke. I meant o ring the heads. I understand what o-ring'g the head is, but don't know what fire ringing the head is then (thought they were the same thing).



What level of boost do i start needing o-rings?

 

[Missouri Mule]

Doing a quick search the head gasket will take about 50 psi. Seems most recommend use studs in the head instead of bolts.



Here is simple explantion of o-rings and fire rings.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-1998/177470-fire-ringing-o-ringing-head.html



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ransmission-1994-1998/123002-o-ring-head.html



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/competition-forum/175845-o-ring-fire-rings-2.html



Of course it all depends how much boost you are plan on making.

 

[Roger Dodger]

I will have to call ATS and ask how much boost they plan on my setup making.