Truck mods

[Holzarbeiter]

Hello Folks



First post from a first year Member.

I know that most of you have heard or answered the questions before but i guess one more time wont hurt.

I'll give you guys a quick history of the truck we will take it from there.

99 3500 Quad AT purchased in 2000 with 17000 miles, first trans flash at 35000, 2nd trans diagnostic by dealer at 50000 at a cost of 300$ told me that " The waves of the Altenator brushes are interfering with the TPS " wanted to replace ALT and reflash Trans for an aditional 600$ Checked around with some people and found out that i can reset the ECM myself. After that the clutch on the AC went at 75000, found a better Dealer in the area and he was willing to just replace the clutch instead of the hole compressor. Last Dealer visit was at 96000 when the lift pump went out. Had i not found this site by then and learned to check the pressure i would be doing my VP$$ by now. Truck now has over 110000 and i'm ready for some upgrades.

I'm ready for DD2's or EDM's(any suggestions?) and an Edge EZ. I don't think that i will raise the power much above that since this is a daily driven work truck that is pulling a 10000 box trailer, a 21'boat or a 31' Airstream.

I know that the trans should be build but i don't see spending that kind of $ right now. What kind other upgrades would be recommended. I heard some talk about removing the check valve in the return line? The valve body can be adjusted? If i go the cheap way on the transmission how well will it hold up to an E-brake?

Gauges are on the way, thats a given, and i will install a trans temp as well and keep in mind that i will not run the 1/4 or do sled pulls with this Truck, no pun intended, i got a 68 Chevelle SS to go and play with.

Thanks, i think this site is great and hope to hear from some of you

 

[csevers]

Welcome to the TDR

You could do "air in air out" mods with out hurting the trans at all but they won;t add any hp. but they will help when you do add some more fuel in the future. I think the ez would be ok but not injectors on top of it, that probably would be to much for the poor stock slush box. You will want to beef up the trans first so that it won't cost more later after trans is tore up. Do it while you have some good parts left in the trans.



Craig

 

[PRout]

Yeah, its pretty hard to go wrong w/ adding a plug-in timing box, like an EZ or a VA.



Either one will add "snappiness" to your truck (improves fun factor), may improve MPG's (slightly) and will help keep egt's where they should be for your power level (while towing) due to the timing advance.



Beware... The chevelle may get jealous. This is quite common among CTD owners.

 

[PRout]

Also, there are 2 major weak links in our trucks (which you seem to be quite aware of already).



The Fuel pump & the auto transmission or clutch.



Since youve already got gauges on your list, you might want to consider a pusher pump of your choice (one option is the FASS). It should eliminate that major weak link.



The other one is the trans. There are some nice trans kits available to alleviate that weak point as well.



Then you can go w/ a 4" exhaust, exhaust brake, and air filter of your choice.



Of course, then youll want to add some DD2's or EDM's (again your choice )



Then... . heehee. .

 

[R-N-R]

You have already been provided with excellent advise, but I will add my $0. 02 anyways.



If you can swing the $$ go for a comp type box, but don't tap the injection wire until you beef up the trans and fuel delivery. Air filter and exhaust are fun upgrades and will be necessary when you start adding fuel but as already stated they will not add power as first bombs. A replacement air filter will allow you to hear your turbo sing better and a replacement exhaust will make the truck sound better. I do consider both to be part of beefing up the motor before major fueling. But you will want to strengthen up the trans before you get too out of hand with mods.



Adding a box, air filter and exhaust helped me build belief before I dropped the $$ for the trans. However I still wonder if I would have bombed past the trans had I done that first. Definatley one of the most benefitial mods that I put on the truck.



btw. . I also started out looking to add a little towing power

 

[Holzarbeiter]

Thanks for the replies

I have done some searches on trans mods and would like to hear what seems to work well without a full blown transmission from one of the main players. Have any of you removed the check valve and if so does that seem to help? How about a pressure gauge so we know where line pressure is at? I must say that i don't know that much about Auto trannys, i understand the concept and have done plenty of gasser and auto transmission swaps but i have never been inside

 

[Wirenut]

Definitley do your transmission first, I did it backwards and now I'm out of commision til I fix it.