Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Thinking ahead some more...power?

[steved]

OK, thinking ahead.



I know the pump can be turned up a touch... can this be done safely without any detrimental effects? How much power can be gained without doing any actual mods (by only adjusting the pump)?



I'm not looking for crazy power, in fact might this might not even be something I do... but I remember my dad's 12-valve being pretty anemic...



Is there a better way, something to mod that is better than simply turning the pump up? Again, without going crazy...

 

[WDixon27]

running the stock plate full forward on my 215 gained a hair over 50 hp on a dynojet with everything else in my sig but the 4" exhaust, it rolled 246hp with the manifold, bhaf and 330 marine injectors with the stock exhaust, forward plate and 4" duals rolled 299 but i think it had more in it as i only saw 26# of boost, it'll peg the 30# gauge at around 2600 rpm on the street but i didn't get to drive it and also got hosed one run with rpm pick up problems



all fairly basic stuff and somewhat cheap, i cheaped out on the injectors right after i got the truck as the PO put in some trashed 160s #@$%! trying to diagnose cold start problems that were due to many fuel system air leaks and timing that was around 4* off and needed something that didn't suck and didn't cost a ton quickly ($326 new delivered from ebay), it runs good but with the plate forward it's smokey with a aggressive afc setting

 

[steved]

How bad did it smoke under WOT, with just the plate forward?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The only things to be cautious of increasing power is exhaust temperature and the health of the transmission (if it's auto) or the clutch on a manual.

I wouldn't move the plate 100% of the way forward, past about 80-90% of the way you don't gain much more power and lose some of the cam plate profile as I understand it.

 

[steved]

I am planning "mechanical" guages in the next rig... so the temps will be monitored.



As for the trans, I don't intend to go THAT big... just something to wake it up a little... I'm also intending to upgrade an auto upfront to avoid issues down the road (even if its a completely stock truck).



Thinking back, I was completely happy with my previous 99's 215HP/auto, that's what I was looking to achieve. My dad's 235HP/manual has just a touch more umph, but not necessary to achieve.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I've turned up the power a decent amount on my '98, and the trans has been holding it OK the last 20K miles even towing. Haven't done a darned thing to it yet, it's the original unit with 183K. But I've driven it sensibly, usually upshifting it manually to keep the RPM up and not overwork the TC, especially when towing.

 

[tp0d]

Steve:

I have a 96 auto with the 180 pump. I ground my plate to a #100 profile (half moon with flat top)), slid the plate 1/8" forward from stock, slid the AFC full forward, and blocked off the wastegate.

Still have the original injectors and turbo. I get a max of about 35-38psi boost (I do have a BHAF tho)

Very nice boost of HP in the seat-of-da-pants dept. Smoke isnt bad on initial launch, but if I lug it with my mystery switch, I can black out two lanes easy. I dont do that anymore with the cost of fuel =/

If you buy an auto, definetly get a billet housing on the converter, with a clutch upgrade, and a VB upgrade. Its the best thing I`ve done to my truck yet. .

-j

 

[WDixon27]

i think my bhaf has about had it as it's smokey all of the time lately but i need to back off the star wheel a few clicks too, it won't black out the sun (unless the lever shoots under the plate at real low rpms then it's eclipse time, or like when i first did the plate and the afc was totally slack, that poor ford powerstroke :-laf) but it takes some control to not crap on the cars behind you, if i ease on the fuel at the start of a gear to let the get turbo going a little before standing on it it's not too bad but i am sure i am not making friends

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I found out a BHAF is pretty well clogged by the time it's a light gray.

 

[steved]

Sounds like minor pump tweaks would be more than enough for my plans... looking for driveability and mileage, are either negatively affected?

 

[GaryOwen]

I have the #8 plate in my 95 with auto transmission. Plate is in the stock location. Its power is similar to my 03 at stock 305hp. Mileage did not change - runs about 19 to 20 mpg.



Gary

 

[tp0d]

My mileage didnt change, unless you have a lead foot in the city hehh. .

Driveability is much improved, more low end grunt to get her going, if you're going auto, definetly get a mystery switch. I put mine on the end of a 3' wire so I can hold it in my hand and still drive. works nice

-j

 

[steved]

I can only assume the "mystery switch" is a torque converter lockup switch?