Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Power vs. driveability and milage

[HKnutsen]

I drive (in Norway) a 1997 auto with a TST #10. I am going to get gauges and have my trans done. A couple of times a year I tow my boat (4500lbs), but mostly it is for everyday use.



I have tried to get information on mods vs. driveability/milage, but I do not have a clear picture of it yet.



What modifications can I do/how much power can I get, without loosing everyday driveability, milage and reliability?



Do I change turbo? what turbo? Injectors? other things?



I am grateful for any help.



Helge

 

[JFaughn]

Before you do mutch in the Horse power add on's , you need to look into upgrading the trans. , the stock trans can not take mutch H. P. s , both of these are or can be a big can of worms or opinions .
What kind of after market sources do you have there ?
I would guess that you may need to get everything shipped to you from U. S.
The best thing to do is a lot of reading here and other sites , then try to get the other things guys are doing that fit what your situation is , maybe just more money becouse of being there [ changing dollars & shipping .
How many other Rams/Cummins do you see there ?
Look at the bottom of everybody's post and you'll see the discriptions of they'er tucks & mods , go to the user control pannel and fill in the truck info , then will watch the bug bit , how lines your going to add to the info .

 

[HKnutsen]

Thanks, JFaugn



I am already beyond what my transmission can hold, so I do need to upgrade it, and I will do. It is of course almost impossible for me to decide what the best option is, but so far, it looks to me that Georend and DTT might be options.



When that is done, I have got the opportunity to get some more power, but with in reasonable limits- one of them being the diesel price in Norway which is 6,5$/gallon. I am driving approximately 25000km (15600 miles)/year, so I have to take this into consideration.



The other is "driveability". I do not tow/haul much, and I am not going to race or pull sleds, but I must be honest and say that it would be real fun to smoke my friend´s "kebabracer" (BMW 330d), if that is possible.



I have yet to figure out if new injectors will be the thing that I need, or if I also would need to change the turbo. Some treads indicate that new injectors only would be bad for my EGT, and that I would need a bigger turbo, but again, that a bigger turbo also could lead to slow spool up, which again could lead to high EGT.



So I am a bit lost. Is there a turbo available that gives me at least the same, or better, spool up time, but more air?



In that case, which injectors would be suitable together with it, or do I need a new turbo at all? Will new injector be sufficient for my use?



There is limited after market sources in Norway, and 12v Dodge is not very common, but the thing is that I have an american colleague who is going to see his mother in Florida this winter. If a new turbo and new injectors is what I need, it will go in his luggage, saving me shipping and taxes.



Therefore; If I am going to do something, now is a good time.



... and next year, maybe Dynatracs hub kit, or something else...



Thanks so far, and I am eager to hear more opinions

 

[Joe G.]

One general rule with our Cummins diesel is that more power usually means better fuel mileage. Unless, of course, your foot gets heavier on the fuel pedal. Driveability is usually not affected except in certain cases with governor spring kits. If you get those things out of adjustment it can make the truck hard to drive. I doubt that you will have EGT problems unless it's harder to beat the BMW than I think it is.

 

[JFaughn]

The best way to my liking is have a plan , what HP is your limit , then desighn the system to that , most componets have a range that they work withihn , try to get each item to be added working in its mind range [ that should give you peak efficenty ] , you can get 370 injectors[torwards the high end ] and have to much fuel [ bad mpgs , high EGT , fuel washing down cyclinders , ect. ] .
I've seen charts for turbos & there HP ranges , the stock is about 350 HP , as best as my memory goes .
You may want to pick a supplier that will help with your plans , then buy from them .
If you have time then you get behind the learing curve and buy at the best prices [ want adds , sales ] .
If your time/eggernest is short then your going to pay a premem .

 

[pwerwagn]

You might be intersted in the HTT stage 3 turbo upgrade. It would be cheap to ship, and you wont loose any spoolup (minimal, if even noticeable). Im running the city diesel version (called the dodgezilla), which is similar to the stage 3 HTT. I also went to a 14cm housing at the same time, and really didnt notice any difference in spool.



It would flow more air than you stock turbo, and still spool great. I am convinced its the only upgrade that truly spools as quick as the hx35. The sps62's and such spool fast, but still not like an HX35 does.



as far as injectors, if money isnt a concern, it would probably be in your best intrest to get something like mach 4's from don m, or DDP's (stage 3 or 4's). The should provide equal (ddp3's) or more (mach 4/ddp4) power than a set of 370's, but from what I understand, you will see lower EGT's than the 370's. they should also be more efficient, meaning better mileage.



hope that helps some,

Jeff

 

[McLaughlin]

Most here seem to start with 3K Gov springs and an intake air filter. You already have a fuel plate so you shouldn't need to change that.



From what I have been able to piece together, power oriented guys seem to go more with 370s at the cost of some mileage. I went with a more mild upgrade of DD Stage 2 injectors which were advertised to provide about 80 extra horsepower and a slight mileage increase. Another option for a mild upgrade is the 215 injectors which are supposed to provide about 70 extra horsepower. The 215s are also supposed to smoke a bit more then the DD stage 2s also. With my current setup, my EGTs max out under heavy acceleration at around 1300 degrees (F) on flat roads at 5000+ ft elevation. I'm getting about 15 mpg in town and about 19 mpg on the highway.

I can also produce a fair amount of smoke if the need arises.



I haven't seen much benefit from the exhaust manifold or 4" exhaust other than my turbo spools up really fast.



Regarding turbos, I'm still unsure when a new turbo is required but have read a couple of reports stating that until you approach 30+ lbs of boost and/or 350 hp the stock turbo is adequate.



One option you might consider is a Snow water/meth injection system. It apparently will provide some additional power while lowering your EGTs without using any fuel.

 

[JGrover]

A GSK kit is a must for your truck.

My 14 cm wastegated ex turbine housing spooled really fast with my new #10 plate and did not run that hot. only had the #10 plate one week before adding the 60cm commpressor wheel and houseing. Making it a stage 3 hybrid. Truck really moves. Had to adjust the wastegate to get boost below 45psi. Driveability has never been better, and last fillup got 20mpg