Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Questions about 98 12 valve

[rdodd]

I am currently driving a 92 1st gen truck, but just ran into a 98 12 valve 2-wheel drive ext. cab completely stock that i might buy. After driving the truck it seems like it needs a tighter torque convertor and more power. What needs to be done to bring the power up to around 300 hp. Can i keep stock injectors? Will stock transmission handle the power? The truck has only 35,000 miles. What things would you guys do to this truck to make it more fun to drive?

 

[TPCDrafting]

This sounds like a good buy no matter the price. To wake mine up I first ordered up some gauges, #11 plate, 3kGSK and AFC spring kit. I had to do a gov. lever adjustment to get it to perform. I don't have an auto, a different plate might work better w/o the need for transmission upgrade. TST has a chart for which plates work best for each different application. I dynoed a week ago at 369/900. I am still on the OEM turbo and injectors, but need to do something about an air intake, possibly a turbo to bring down egts. Clutch isn't happy either. :{

 

[rsaderlund]

Buy the truck!

You will LOVE it! First thing like everybody will say is gauges. Then save for a transmission upgrade. With my bombs and heavy right foot and a lot of tire smoke my transmission is crying for help:{

Almost have enough saved for a DTT treatment. Once you have a transmission to hold it all let the BOMBING begin. Oo.

 

[Lsfarm]

98 Auto

The '98 is easy to tweak to get more power, but the auto trans probably won't handle much extra power if it already doesn't feel right.



To add more power for free, just remove the AFC housing and slide the stock plate fully forward, and reinstall the AFC housing all the way forward, these two items usually make a noticable difference. But not enough to push the stock trans over the edge.



The problem with the stock trans is that all auto transmissions are not created equal from the factory. Some are pretty tight and leak free internally, and others have so many internal leaks that they don't make it to even 40K miles.



My '98 auto had so many internal leaks that it almost was not driveable when I bought it. I wasn't sure it would survive the drive home. When I pulled the trans apart I expected to find burnt clutches, but only found a lot of evidence of leakage past the servos, accumulator, and around the valvebody. These leaks and extra clearances were there from day one from the factory, and only got worse as the truck got older. It must have been a real 'soft' and 'slushy' trans from the begining. With 6 years on the lip seals, they were also not doing their job anymore.



If the '98 you are looking at is priced right, and is what you want, it is a very nice truck to use as the basis for a really great running truck with a lot of years and miles ahead for it.



I would recommend you drive several trucks with upgraded auto transmissions and plan on spending the money on a full upgraded transmission. Don't plan on just a TC and VB for the trans,regardless of the low miles, it won't work on a sloppy leaking stock trans with 6+ years on the seals.



Once you have the trans properly upgraded, then add gauges, a #10 or #4 plate, 3GSK spring set, and bump the timing to 16. 5 or so. This will bring your HP up to around 300 or so, and make for a very nice running truck.



If you are in the Michigan/Ohio/ N. Indiana area I would be glad to let you test drive my '98 so you can feel what a '98 can feel like with the above mods. If you go to the user control panel and put in your location, we could recommend a few members to meet and/or trans shops in your area.



BTW, the very first thing to do on the '98 if you buy it is to kill the KDP. Read the Sticky Note at the top of this forum about this pin if you are not familiar with it. It is a first priority!



Hope this Helps Greg L

 

[Green Machine]

Get it! Then Bomb away. The 98 is a great truck and thats some low miles. Do the gage thing. Air filter (scotty 2) then a straight pipe. #11 fuel plate 16cm non wastegated housing, And some Piers 370 inj. would be good for some tire smoke and 350/800 easy. Check into Suncoast trannys also, A lot of people around my parts are going to them!