Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Recommendations?

[GOlsen]

I'm thinking of doing some more mods and want some opinions. I'm thinking of adding 370 injectors and high flow delivery valves, as well as GSK (haven't decided 3 or 4 yet), and moving my plate forward (not sure how far, maybe full?). What I'm trying to find out is, can I run this setup with stock head bolts and a stock head gasket? Where should I set my timing? Also, I don't tow that often, and when I do, it's usually less than 10k. Would this setup cause any problems, such as too high EGTs (stock turbo)? I plan on doing the turbo and head stuff a little later. Just trying to figure out what I can get away with now. Thanks in advance.



Edit: The delivery valves I was (were??) looking at say they make 50hp more than 191s. I don't know if that matters or not.

 

[arthr31]

I think (and hope) you'll be fine. I'm running a very similar setup without any problems. In about two weeks I'm 191 DVs and I have the #10 plate full forward...

 

[bmoeller]

At this point, don't bother with swapping the DVs. Get a lot more smoke than power.



Don't know if the turbo will like the 370s. I think you need to swap to a bigger turbine housing to run them, at bare minimum.

 

[GOlsen]

At what point would it be worth it to swap the dvs? As far as injectors go, I was also thinking about going with some DDP Stage 2s. Would they work with the turbo better?

 

[bmoeller]

Well, Joe Donnelly said he saw no power gain going from 181's, to 191s. I couldn't feel much of a change. It did really help to spool the turbo, though. Added a bunch of smoke more than anything.



Might be alright with 2s.

 

[arthr31]

Yeah, i saw his post too. . could that be? i thought with 191s you'd get a lot more fuel therefore more HP. . ? But as pointed out, maybe just a lot more smoke, which I could do without... Sry to hijack the thread, but are upgrading dvs on a 215 pump to 191s not such a good idea (e. g. should i spend my money elsewhere? )

 

[Timebomb]

Im running 370s with a #100 plate full forward, @ 16deg . The 181 DVs in your 215 pump should be a good start. I like my setup so far but the turbo is for sure the week point on it (High EGT's) I would also say your head gasket would be subject for failure with even 370s and dv's. Studs are a good thing to look into.

 

[bmoeller]

Yeah, i saw his post too. . could that be? i thought with 191s you'd get a lot more fuel therefore more HP. . ? But as pointed out, maybe just a lot more smoke, which I could do without... Sry to hijack the thread, but are upgrading dvs on a 215 pump to 191s not such a good idea (e. g. should i spend my money elsewhere? )

Joe told me he was making 800hp with the 181s. He had a '97 5spd.

 

[RottenRon]

No one said anything yet about the GSK. I don't know about the bigger pump you have but on the little pump on the 94 and 95 Autos, a GSK should be compulsory. I put in a 3K GSK a few years ago and it completely changed the truck. So, based on my experience, the GSK is a must.



Ron

 

[Timebomb]

I didnt see the change all spoke about with my 913 pump after the 3500 springs.

 

[arthr31]

What's the threshold to consider doing head studs? Like, how much power can you add before the head gasket blows/goes out?



Also, i haven't done any research on this, but doesn't the engine have to come out to install new head studs? How expensive could this be? (no, can't do that myself )

Im running 370s with a #100 plate full forward, @ 16deg . The 181 DVs in your 215 pump should be a good start. I like my setup so far but the turbo is for sure the week point on it (High EGT's) I would also say your head gasket would be subject for failure with even 370s and dv's. Studs are a good thing to look into.

 

[bmoeller]

Still no head studs here.



I hear the studs can be done with the engine right where it is. Have to take the plastic pieces off of the cowl, and remove somw plugs or something to that effect.



Some will pull and replace one at a time, so they doesn't really mess with the torque on the rest of the head bolts at the same time. Works for some.

 

[Timebomb]

My stock gasket failed @173k miles with 36psi. A friends also failed @150k miles with same amount of boost. We were both running 16deg of timming and stock head bolts at the time. So for him and I it didnt take much. You can replace the bolts with ARP or other studs one at a time with no issues.

 

[arthr31]

OK thanks. Now with this being said, should I replace the stock bolts now before a problem happens, or just wait for the head gasket to let go?



I ask because the truck will be down in a couple for an entire week for other stuff and maybe I should just take care of this now too... I'm running 18* timing but only have about 118K miles... I can easily hit 35psi when i get on it but wastegated for 40psi...

 

[Signal73]

what turbo do you have arthr31?

I used to hit 53psi with a PS 62/12 with 16. 5 timing on stock head, didnt pop but I did it all up before it had the chance.



If your doing 40 on a stock turbo, drive pressure is up which will kill a HG as fast as high timing.

 

[arthr31]

Hey Signal73, I have stock turbo, what's that hx35 i think... I'm starting to think, with the 18* timing and high boost, my truck is a likely HG blow out candidate... But who knows? I drive it pretty mellow most of the time, well at least i try to... :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Signal73]

My buddy matt lifted his head with a stock HX with 53 lbs boost! (and h2o/meth) If you go with studs it will lenghen the amount of time it will take to blow, and supposedly the 98+ trucks run a stock thickness marine HG from the factory where the 97's and lower dont so you may be good for a while...

 

[GOlsen]

Well, thanks for all the info. I think I figured out what I'm going to do. I think I'll go with some DDP2's (for now), and then work on the head studs, and the turbo. Then I'll worry about all the other stuff. I figure I'd rather take it slow, and do it right, then end up without my truck for a while. Thanks again.