TST kit installed!

[tschwab]

#8 plate (230/605) installed in my '98 12V automatic with 3. 54 rear axle. First impressions: I don't notice much difference in power in the lower rpm's up to around 1,700 to 1,800, after that there is all kinds of power. I can't wait to take the 5vr out for a test tow! I am getting 28 lb's of boost and just a very small plume of black smoke when I nail the throttle.

I would like to hear from others with a similar combination and your impressions.

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'98. 4 Bright White Quad Cab SLT, 2WD, 12 Valves & the BIG "P" Pump! 3. 54, AT, Trailer Tow PKG, Camper PKG, OEM Cab Lights, TST #8, Three pod A pillar gauge mount, EGT pre-turbo, 4" Exhaust Turndown, K&N Air Filter, 5th W. Hitch, Pace Edwards Roll-Top, Tint, 265 Michelins and turbo silencer ring AWOL!

23,800 miles - 12/28/00

 

[Donley]

tschwab:

Did you experience any unforeseen difficulities or surprises during installation? Also, what was your reasoning for choosing the #8 plate instead of perhaps the #6?
Thanks,
still sitting on the fense.

------------------
95 2500 SLT 5spd 3:54 117K mi, RamEBk, Gold clutch, Hel-springs, RS 9000, Amsoil, Geno's Combo, Rhino, Smitbilt, Diaplate Rails & T-Box, RBW 5th Wheel hitch, 96 30' Alfa See Ya RV, (gcw 19500) Fulltimer

 

[Cooker]

I am also curious why one would chose the smaller horsepower plate over the larger, after all they are the same price right? If it is wear and tear on the drivetrain I can understand that, but maybe you could drive with a little lighter foot?

Just wondering.

 

[danandamy]

Go all the way and gut the cat and slide the plate and housing all the way forward #ad
Pulling with a modified truck after being stock is almost better than sex #ad
and the almost is iffy depending on the gal #ad


Daniel

------------------
95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54, automatic,Herculiner bed liner, JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N chunked, AFC adjusted, dual straight exhaust out of "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward, silencer ring removed
"Layin' the 'SMOKEDOWN' on their ROOdy Poo CANDY GASSERS!"

 

[KB0OU]

Just installed my #8 too, the power is much better, I slide my plate almost all the way forward, star wheel is all the way cranked toward the engine, nice plum of smoke when i hit it at the light. Put all new screws in the cover, 10mm hex heads, work fine. Egt maxed at about 1350deg, boost is up, even on cruise. Finally had a day when it was above freezing outside!!

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96 CC 4X4 2500 SLT AUTO transmission, PrimeLoc, ISSPRO EGT Boost transmission Temp, GUTTED CAT, 150,000+ Miles still goin' strong, Lots of Ham Radio gear, NO IGNITION NOISE!!! Love my diesel!!! # 8 TST Fuel Plate.

 

[tschwab]

Decided to go with the #8 for a couple of reasons:

1. Drivetrain/transmission - all stock at this point.

2. Stock injectors at this point, and I felt that going with a larger plate than #8 with stock injectors was not a good idea.

3. I believe TST will allow you to swap plates for a larger one down the road.

 

[Koa Man]

Did you turn the AFC starwheel toward the engine? If not, turn it about 20 clicks and your low end should be better.

------------------
1996 3500 Clubcab SLT, auto, 4. 10 limited-slip, TST #5, 370s, AFC spring kit, Psychotty, Dunrite converter, Trans-Go, Walker 21471, DiPricol EGT, boost & trans temp. gauges, 9 ft. aluminum flatbed and tool boxes with Venco dump. Custom front bumper, Hadley air horn, PowerVision mirrors.

 

[John_P]

tschwab:

It sounds as though you are "on the
right track" with reference to your
modifications.

You are right about TST "swapping"
out one plate for another. Mark
Chapple let me "trade" in my #6
plate for a #5 at NO CHARGE.



------------------
Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Major Pump Mods(By "Scheid Diesel") 370 Diamond B Injectors, Gov. Spring kit, AFC Spring kit, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, BD Pressure Loc, Isspro Gauges, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

[John Dimartino]

I wish i had chosen the #8,because i was able to slip my TCC cluct with the #6,quite easily. I put in a TFOD shift kit ,and it dont slip no more. But the power is like drugs-once you get a little-you need more,and more,and soon 300hp feels like stock again,so add more fuel,bigger turbo-opps there goes the transmission,lets beef that up now. Seriously,I 'm having a hard time restraining myself from BOMBing the truck even more. I hear the turbo whine and feel the power and i suddenly have a hard time making rational decisions. Wife thinks i've lost it,ill be holding up the sign soon,need HX40-will work hard.

 

[k.vickers]

ok, now i'm more confused than ever. i have the money ready, just can't decide whether to go #8 or #6. most everything is still stock so i don't want to overdo it and don't want to fret over egt, but all my bombing friends here say the #6 will be just fine. after reading the posts on this string i have no idea what to do. sigh

[This message has been edited by k. vickers (edited 01-09-2001). ]

 

[moparguy]

k. vickers, a couple of questions, how hard do you work your truck? Do you pull 10k or more, do you pull at over 7 thousand feet where the air is thin and egt's can become a problem (even with our turbo's) when you keep your foot in the pump for more than a few seconds? If the answer to either is yes, then... . are you ready to a install 4" exhaust and a physcotty air intake system along with a #6plate?

My experience tells my that if you go bigger than a #8 plate you'll need to make the exhaust and air intake upgrades mentioned above. That is if you want to use the extra fuel you'll have on tap when you find yourself in those Duramax/Powerstroke embarassing situations going up a long mountain grade with your trailer in tow.

With my #8 plate and a mild (215hp) injector upgrade I have need for the same upgrades in my truck.

And please, do go ahead and get a set of gauges to go with the new plate.

Live long and prosper.
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"95" 3500, 4WHD, Ext cab. SLT, 5 spd, 4. 10 LSD, Rancho 9000's PacBrake, running boards, Mopar mud flaps, Isspro EGT, 50lb. boost, TST #8, 215HP injectors,no cat, muff or turbo ring.

[This message has been edited by moparguy (edited 01-09-2001). ]

 

[Bob Wagner]

John DiMartino LOL LOL LOL I gotta visit the 12v forum more often.

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01 Dodge Ram 4X4 QC

 

[Bud Fox]

Tschwabb WHATS YOU FUEL MILEAGE???(I have same truck) THANKS

 

[Turbo Thom]

dadgumit:
Ya'll got me more confused now than ever. I thought the #11 was the way to go in the 215 hp engine. I talked to Ted yesterday and he said his #3. What that is as far as TST is concerned, I don't know. Keep talking, I'm learning. #ad

Cheers
Preston

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96 3500, Black SLT, 5 speed, turbo diesel, , with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , Mag-hytec rear cover, dual-remote by-pass filters, and Roadmaster Active system

 

[tschwab]

RedNut - Don't have mileage figures yet with the new plate, will post later on. Mileage before the plate was 22 mpg empty @ 70 mph highway and 13-14 mpg towing 10k+ 5th wheel.

Turbo Thom, click on this link and it will take you to Diesel Injection's website, where they show a chart of all the different TST plates and their applications.
http://www.dieselpage.com/tstpk.htm



[This message has been edited by tschwab (edited 01-09-2001). ]

 

[Forrest]

Another way to read the link that tschwab has listed is if you have a manual transmission, go straight for the #5 & regulate EGT with your right foot. #ad
Now you can take your time & do the rest of the EGT reducing add-ons. #ad


------------------
Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, HX40-16, TST #11/280 slid 3/4 way, 300 HP Injectors, Scourge BD Governor kit, McLeod.
4" CATless turn down straight out back.
ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, RE-0880, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, 235s on Alcoas, Rancho 9000's, Valentine One.
#11 plate days are numbered, custom grind on the way.
Dutchmen 27' 5th Wheel.
GoldWing.

 

[k.vickers]

moparguy

my truck is a 95 3500 4x4 dually. 5sp, 3:54's. my usual driving is in hot, flat parts of texas. i will occasionally pull a 34' fifth wheel, not sure of the weight but i bet it's 10k or over. very seldom will i head into the mountains, but it is a possiblilty. most of my pulling will be here in texas. i don't have the money to do a lot more to the truck for a while, so the plate will have to do it for right now. from your post it sounds like i had better stick with the #8. i am getting gauges. will i notice enough difference with an 8 to pay the money for it?

 

[BC]

I put in a #8 plate last summer before I took my 14k 5er out west for a couple of months. Noticed it pulled much better up the hills. We did a couple of trial runs to the Smokies, a trip we had made several times before installing the new plate. Before the upgrade there were several hills where I was doing 35mph and I was on the expressway! Not fun. After upgrade I made the hills at 55mph in 3rd.

I plan on going to the 215 injectors, 4" exhaust, and a bigger plate this summer. I plan on doing this only because I lost my trannie in Bozeman MT and replace TC a Pro-Loc I got from Suncoast. It made a huge difference when pulling up hills.

One note: No one should upgrate until they've added guages FIRST! Especially for the trannie and egt.

------------------
'98,3500,101,000 miles,12 valve,4x4,QCab,SLT,auto,3. 54,tow pkg,TST #8 plate (230/605),BD exhaust brake-presure lock-torque lock, heavy duty valve springs,transmission and pyro gauges pillar mounted,K&N filter,silencer ring removed,Draw-Tite brake controller,Reese 15K fifth wheel hitch,gooseneck hitch,14k fifth wheel,12k Sooner 4horse gooseneck,13K (when loaded) 24ft gooseneck flat bed, head up my butt cowboy crease in tail gate.
'96 Ford 250 4x4 Powerstroke

[This message has been edited by BC (edited 01-11-2001). ]

 

[RHARVEY]

Just for my information,,,why did you select TST over the other companies??

Rick

------------------
RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[danandamy]

K. Vickers, hey if we keep this up maybe a central/west Tx. TDR chapter. We already have two members #ad
Anyway, have you thought about exhaust? I have a customer with a 95 dually and after following my advice and getting his "cat" neutered #ad
he can't believe the increase in power. I can assure you it's probably fairly clogged. I'd get that taken care of, then gauges, then plate.

Daniel