Towing with a 92

[J DeMaio]

Hey Guys:



I'm in need of some good input for towing. I recently bought a John Deere 4020 tractor which is quite heavy. I towed it home with my truck and a double axle gooseneck trailer, EGT's hit about 1300* and I let off and downshifted So... I turned my fuel back down to stock settings and the other day I towed an empty stock trailer up a little grade and the maximum M. P. H I could reach was 45, EGT was at 1100* and boost was at about 10 pounds. I'm not sure what I can do to increase power/speed for towing. I don't really need to add any more fuel, I NEED AIR It seemed like when I matted the throttle the second time the temps went up some but boost didn't. I know that another trailer a little better/stronger built would help a lot but what are some other easy things to do so I can reach interstate speeds of 65 M. P. H ?



Any ideas appreciated!



John

 

[nascar mark]

Hi, John



You need to post more info on your set up and parts in the truck before anyone can help.



Example. What size housing on turbo, does the truck smoke at wot, what amount of boost, water temp, timing of pump, etc.



mark

 

[J DeMaio]

Okay Mark here is where it is at now. I have a K&N air filter, 3" straight pipe, maximum boost is 10-12 pounds, and the water temperature was the same as always, it didn't overheat any. I believe the housing is a 21 cm, timing is stock (At least from what i know), and the power screw is now in the stock position. The truck has a 3. 54 posi rear end and a 5 speed getrag. So the truck is pretty much the way it came from the factory besides the exhaust and the air filter. What are some more ways to get more airflow.

 

[paccool]

What was the boost before you turned it down?

 

[JFitzgerald]

I asked the same thing of Piers while I was at Muncie. I tow heavy too, and was asking which turbo housing would be best for my use. He recommended the 16cm2. My '93 had the 18. 5 and the 16 helped. Haven't towed heavy yet since the swap, but did pull a car on a car trailer across IN and OH in the heat last weekend with no EGT problems. There were some hills, not long, steep grades, but no problem maintaining 60-65 with A/C on and maybe maxed about 1150 EGT if I was pushing it. Yours being a 21 now, the swap to a 16 should really help a lot.



Apparently my engine is getting more air because it smokes much less when I "get on it". It gets about 22 PSI boost at full throttle in 5th. This is with stock injectors, for now.



I'd get a 16, John, it's relatively cheap and easy. HTH.

 

[nascar mark]

Like JFITZGERALD said, the16cm is a good choice for hotroding and towing.



Your problem seems to be to low of boost. 10-12 is below stock. Stock is 15-18, so i would suspect a boost leak. Check all claps, rubber boots and intercooler for leaks. The rubber boots are a weak point! They are prone to dry up and split. Advance your timing by ear and seat of the pants, tuning. Don't worry, its easy and you won't hurt anything! Move pump towards top of engine 1/8" to start and test. Move more if needed. Find that sweet spot. 1st gens like advance. It will help temps and top end.



#1- clamps and hoses

#2- timing

#3- 16cm if $ is availible Piers has good prices and service.



mark

 

[83 crew cab]

HI J been some time sence I seen you post



what all fuel seting have you made

did you rotate the diafram that helped alot with mine I am pegging the bost gage at 30 after this adjustment and turned the anoid on top of the diafram out to keep it under 1200* I do have the 12 housing and pod injectors let me now if I can help, your not that far away George

 

[J DeMaio]

Okay:



I turned up the pump once while testing and got 21 pounds of boost and it got hot quick so I turned it back down about 5 minutes later When I had it previously tweeked while towing or any time for that matter, I got 12-15. Then the other day, I went up a hill with a trailer and got 10 pounds of boost. I'll check the boots and some other things here and let you guys know whats up. What else can you do to get good gains for free?



I've been busy and haven't had too much time to get on here lately, I'm gettin back to the ole habits (addictions) though



Thanks guys,



John

 

[JHolt]

boost numbers

John, I have the exact same setup and see similar numbers. '92 engine with 21cm2 housing, 5spd, 3. 54 rear, and also get 10-12 psi max boost. I've been wondering if there is something wrong because I've been told I should see 15-17 psi boost. The only mods I've made are K&N filter, and the full load screw on the pump is turned in as far as it will go before the metal collar stops it (about 1. 5 turns). I thoroughly checked the intercooler system and it held 25 psi of pressure so there is no significant leak. It was interesting to see how much air it took to build up pressure, and how much those rubber fittings expanded at that pressure!



Before I adjusted the pump I was only getting 7-8 psi max boost. After just that one adjustment, I see a bit more boost (10-12 psi), a lot more seat-of-the-pants power, and a lot more smoke if I'm not very careful with the throttle. I am going to put on a 16 cm2 housing soon, though, perhaps that will increase the air so it won't smoke as much. Haven't tried other pump adjustments because I haven't had time. And I can't bring myself to turn the pump back down now that I've seen the extra power.



Jack

 

[RamAZ]

Towing with 92

I have a 92 auto with 3:54 gears, all stock and carry a 2800# side in camper. Out of overdrive and going up steep hills I usually run about 10-15 pounds of boost. This is by my choice, this truck will run all the way up to 22# pounds if I want to and stay there.



At 10 to 15 pounds everthing stays cool. trans dosn't heat up, coolant stays where it is suppose to and EGT's are within safe range. Above 15# for extended time things tend to get out of hand.



Last year I had cummins southwest do some work on my truck and they pressure tested the intercoller, adjusted the valves and timed the motor. I changed the coolant last Oct along with thermstat and had the radiator cleaned up. All is good here in Arizona when the temperatures reach 110F +.



I plan on keeping this truck till the wheels fall off and don't plan on up grading anything but the trans. 105,000 and counting.



Jim