Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) plate change with automatic trans

[Moparsean]

I installed a # 8 almost full forward on my 97 auto 180 pump. I liked the added power towing my 5th wheel this weekend. my old plate was a stocker slid up. My trans is beefed up,I have a stock turbo (wastgate bypassed) 4 inch exhaust and 270-300 hp injectors,i'm guessing close to the 215's. My question is. . would a #10 plate make it run harder towing than My # 8? I was looking at some profiles and it looks like it would if in the same (forward position). Just curious if anyone ran a 8 in their auto and went to a 10 instead and why? Or should I go for the #6? I feel there is more room for power,my egt's pre turbo never went much over 1000. on long grades. also anyone see a difference running a ats intake on a 12 valve for power gain? how do i add my signiture to all my posts on what i run... it would help all of you to help me. One last thing,how bad is it to install a gov spring kit? Is it a benefit for all plates or just #10 mostly? Thanks guys for any comments.

 

[RDelissen]

a GSK is helpful for all, since it allows you to pull higher rpms, so the Cummins doesn't fall flat on its face when upshifting

On mine I did the GSK first which was already an improvement and then when I had the transmission overhauled and built by Goerend I went with a #5 plate and it tows like a dream (the 4. 10 gears probably also ehlp though).

 

[Moparsean]

gsk kit

I have heard that it can be tricky and the instructions vage. Is there a kit out there that has really good instructions... . as far as adjusting the spring tension. Is there a kit better than most? I have also heard that it can make the turbo slower to spool at lower end. Is this true? I'm going to throw in a # 6 plate as well,trying for a honest 300 hp,the torque is what i really want to get it movin. Even with the stock plate moved up I pulled good when i got lock-up. Looking to improve the time it takes me to get to 48 mph to get lock up. The # 8 plate last weekend was very noticable,but i think there is more room for power. I'm going to experiment with the 6 and see where the egt's go. Everyone recomends the gsk kit. How tough is it to get to? Anyone not recomend a gsk? I have read you have to bring the arm up,or it will go under the plate. I know,I know i'm bitten by the power bug:-laf

 

[SSage]

I have the TST #6 and it was fine pulling with the stock turbo and injectors. I had the GSK added when I got the DTT and I'm having idle issues, mine will die sometimes when its in gear with the AC on... I'm dreading the idea of adjusting the GSK again. It seems to never end. .

 

[Moparsean]

ok now what?

Hey thanks for speaking up, i wish i knew a good guy that could help me in my area that has done one. he could help me make it right. I do not like anyone working on my rig but me... . just the way i am i guess... lots of hacks out there,hard to know who is good and not! See it all the time where i work. Believe it or not i'm a diesel tech,but fuel pumps are not something we normally juice up at work because of liabilty issues. I am more a big bore engine guy... cat,cummins,detroit. I know how to turn the screws on them. This is a bit different to me. I do not want to make it worse if i do a adjustment wrong,so I have the #6 plate now,i think i'll put that in first and see how it runs towing. I was pleased with the 8 plate,i just felt improvement could be made based on the numbers i saw on gauges. Thanks everone for your input... a great forum for sure and if your in trouble in NH give me a shout i'm in the TDR book.

 

[SSage]

I pulled a 10K travel trailer with a TST #6, BHAF and I removed the muffler while leaving the resonator in place. With a built trans that combo will pull pretty good. I could hit 1200 degrees on long pulls, my 160 injectors were really tame. I now have 370's with 191 delivery valves and its night and day different, I'm still adjusting things and I'll have to go to a 10 plate or slide my #6 back, haven't decided yet. I bought a new 5th wheel toy hauler so, I'm a bit too fueled for towing right now even with the HTT 62/14. You may want to keep the # 8 and add some bigger injectors? I have the marine 370's and I'm happy with them so far... well once the turbo spools up When you start adding other things the strong bottom end of the 6 plate may be too much when towing. . If I knew I was adding 191 DV's I would have gone with a 10 plate probably, my truck is a beast right now. It rips till I have to back out of it due to high EGT.



The best mods for me were the fuel plate and the 3K GSK. The gov kit turns the truck into a pulling machine and makes the run out so much better when pulling a hill in direct drive or third gear for me.

 

[Moparsean]

power mods

I already have bigger injectors,a cold air intake,4 inch exhaust... ya know the tipicle mods we all seam to do. I need more bottom end though... I hear you on the fact it may be too much on EGT there. When i pull away from a stop light,i never get to a high egt reading... . even matted to the floor... only in lock-up do i even get close to 1100 and thats for a brief moment. Most of the time i'm 1000 on a long pull. Right now that is... The 6 may prove too much,but i have it now and need to play with that. I can always slide it back. I think every truck is different to a point on how it reacts to mods... seen it in the big bore diesel world first hand... lots of varibles. right now my 8 is almost all the way up. I may get brave and go for the GSK kit,but I do not want to deal with idle issues or a lack of turbo spool as some have commented on (i'm sure thats a tuning issue anyways). I want a kit with GREAT instructions and/or pictures... or even better,run into someone that has done one and knows how to get the bugs out properly. For me working on trucks has allways been a passion for lack of a better word... . and I will probably always be playing with it. For me its fun... even if it breaks. Sounds stange,but true... cuz if it breaks i can make it stronger/better. . all i need is the info found mosty in TDR forums. If you use search... you can learn a-lot... Sorry fo long post here,but i'm, waiting for my ats intake,then i'll put my 6 in at same time and see what we have... i'll update. as always comments welcomed.