Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Readyto Bomb but a couple of questions

[rs454]

This is my first Thread.

I now have a 3gsk, number 10 plate and 370 injectors. Oo.



My truck has just over 100,000 miles on it I am concerned about 2 things .

1) I turned the starwheel turned richer 40 clicks but not any smoke

Although I think this is about to change :-laf

Could the lack of smoke be a problem waiting to happen?



2) My oil pressure at idle is around 20 when warm 40 when cold about 50 when

cruising . When I first got the truck it was alarming but after 10,000 miles it hasn't changed. Is this normal for a 12 valve ?



The truck runs great just needs more power . I will be installing them this weekend unless someone can see a cause for concern with my questions. I will also need a shop in central Fl to reset the timing any sugestions?

Thanks, Rich

 

[RT66DOC]

Welcome to TDRland.



There's a NPT plug on the oil filter housing that you can remove to put an accurate mechanical test gauge on to determine what your oil pressure is really doing. The factory gauge doesn't reflect true pressure and sender failures are not uncommon. Mine got pretty whacky [sender problem] and when the Cummins guys put a test gauge on it all was fine.



Where are you located in FL? For service you might try Southeast Power Systems. They have a website and locations in Tampa, Orlando, Ft. Myers and Daytona. http://www.se-power.com/default.cfm Check the website for phone numbers.



Gurus more knowledgeable than I will no doubt chime in with more detailed info. Good luck.

 

[AWray]

rs454,



With your boost fooler your max boost should be in the 30-35psi range. If you turned the star wheel 40 clicks, I think that's only about 1-1. 5 revolutions. That probably won't add a lot of low end fueling, ie no smoke.



Add the GSK, 370's and 10 plate and you'll have plenty of smoke and be in need of either a new clutch or auto transmission in short order. You should make some wicked power with that setup.

 

[Jerred]

With the 4k springs, I got alot of surge after the boosted fuel schedual came on, so I switched to the lightest AFC spring and turned that star wheel till I couldn't turn it any further. Problem solved.



Try doing the timing yourself, the tool kit from Snap-On is only $250, labor costs $300 at least at the dealer or a performance shop. It seems scary, but the whole procedure is laid out in the shop manual. Give yourself a couple of hours to make a few mistakes and get it right. You'll be happy you did. Then you can play around with the timing to see what you like. 16deg is usually a good place to start with some fuel mods. The chart in the manual doesn't go that high, but just extrapolate the numbers at the same interval out to 16deg for your CPL #. You can find the CPL on a sticker on the side of your fuel pump. Might need to wipe it off! If you're going to do those other installs, you should have no problem with timing.

 

[TrqMonster]

I also agree that if your truck is a manual, it will probably slip the clutch real bad if stock. I dont know about autos. When I slid my #11 all the way it made the clutch slip bad. Got a Button clutch which = no plate now.

 

[rs454]

Thanks for the words of wisdom I have a auto with some upgrades I think an aftermarket

valve body & shift kit but still seems to have the same style sloppy torque converter.



I am in Ocala ,Fl about 60 miles west of Daytona.



I may just get brave enough to try to time it myself after I get the other goodies installed We plan on puting the 3gsk and plate first with the plate slid . 030 forward as we were advised by Piers with the afc 3/4 forward. Then test and make sure it is right before we go into replacing the injectors using the 020 washers from the kit.



My boost fooler only makes 25-30 psi Would this increase with more fuel ? I plan on changing it out for the adjustable one that came with the kit as it seems better made.



Once again thanks for the replies this is way different from what I am used to working on and my friends think I am crazy but after reading up on what these engines are capable of I had to have one Rich

 

[boondock]

Yes you boost will increase with more fuel.



That TC will not like the added power at all. Expect to upgrade that soon

 

[rs454]

I plan on a suncoast converter and valve body for my next mods and then a locker I dont plan on running the truck too hard until until I get the converter replaced .



The trans has a deep B&M pan on it & it shifts harder than my dads one ton which has a shift kit. The detents feel like it has an aftermarket valve body ( which would explain the pan ) but the converter seems stock because of the high stall.



I see from your sig you have 3gsk & a 10 plate How do you like them & did the exhaust make a big difference?

Thanks for your reply Rich

 

[AWray]

rs454,



The response from your truck should be as good if not a he!! of a lot better than what I experienced with my similar modifications (160 vs 180hp pump).



The 3k GSK is probably the best modification to improve the driveability of a 12v truck. It won't add any power, but it does extend the useable rpm range to 3000+.



The 4" exhaust made a small reduction in EGT's. It made a huge improvement in sound. Ask others what they thought of their exhaust choices.

 

[boondock]

I did the 3K and #10 at the same time. First with the 10 slid all the way back. I came from a stock plate all the way forward. No difference except it would keep fueling past 2500 or so RPM's. Had 20 pounds of boost with the 10 all the way forward. The next day I slid it about halfway forward. Night and day difference, egts would get pretty hot but not to bad. Boost up to 25 or so. BHAF boost to 26-27. Then 4" exhaust boost to 29-30. Slid my plate one last time as my clutch was holding the power pretty well and my EGTs were down due to BHAF and exhaust. Slide it to about 3/4 forward. Wow lots more power again, clutch didn't like that to much. Boost is now 32-33 with the added fuel.



Exhaust took egts down a good 75 just crusing at highway speeds. Takes a little longer to get up as well. Or at least until I slid my plate again.



You have a 180 pump though and I have the 215 so the difference between the two are pretty big.

 

[rs454]

Sounds like I will be having some serious fun I will keep you posted on my progress .

If any one has any tricks to make things go easier I sure would like to hear them.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I can hardly wait to see what this is going to do . Rich

 

[TrqMonster]

Your friends will think your nuts until they go for a ride and then they their like "this thing is fast for a big truck/diesel" and then they go buy one to. Happened to me, true story!

 

[WaynesWorld]

rs454,

I would highly recommend a triple disc converter for the auto. You don't need extra pressure to hook up better, let the 3D do the job of the fluid. That was my first improvement & its still holding up to the test! Then you can break torque to get your boost up. But you can kiss them tires good bye. It took me about 3 months before I replaced mine.

 

[rs454]

They are in

Got the #10 and 3gsk installed All I can say is WOW what a ride Oo. Oo.



Then came back and installed the 370s a quick blip on the throttle produces a big black ball of smoke I was afraid I wouldn't be able to drive it without

fogging the intire town, but it isn't as bad when you are driving .

Overall light throttle cruising has greatly improved but the first time you get into the the throttle the boost gauge instantly leaps to 40 to 45 psi and the pyro is gone outta sight :--)













The plate is only slid forward . 030 from stock I know I can back it up to bring down the temps . Will timing help this ? If so How much? How much would exhaust help? Thanks , Rich

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

Got the #10 and 3gsk installed All I can say is WOW what a ride Oo. Oo.



Then came back and installed the 370s a quick blip on the throttle produces a big black ball of smoke

after my new mods were put in my truck (370's, 191's, afc springs, 10 plate) it was deffintley a new ride! the old lady asked me "how bad can your truck smoke now?" needless to say with everything full foward ppl were pulling over and putting on there 4-ways. whoops... .

 

[rs454]

The smoke is a lot less now I just got back from a 230 mille round trip and the milage is a lot greater, 13 was my best before I now have 354 on this tank and still have just under half a tank

I am saving up for the tripple lock tc so I dont fry the trans.

Thanks for every ones advice this went a lot smoother than I thought it would.

P. S. the truck has claimed its first victom a new Toyota Celica I didnt know he was going for it until I was in 2nd gear I stepped on it and didnt pass him but he couldn't get away either I started to close on him so he let off to keep a shred of dignity . This truck is Great Oo.