TST plate vs Stock plate questions.

[Dan_69GTX]

Last night I found out I have the stock plate slid forward.



Several questions about stock vs the TST plates.



1. With the stock plate slid forward, the truck was used for towing - no gauges installed. What's the possibility of Excessive Exhaust Gas Temps hurting something that I should check out before I move on to other BOMBing.



2. I'm impressed with the difference in performance with just the stock plate slid forward - How much better will a TST plate do and which one do you recommend ( still have a stock clutch and don't want to replace it soon).



3. How will sliding a stock plate forward vs installing a TST plate affect mileage - which would be better?



4. Is there a "best" place to buy a TST or similar plate?



Thanks!

Dan

 

[JBoone]

My truck had a #8 tst plate when I bought it and it runs great.

But how can I tell if it's slid forward on not? Is it hard to slide forward?

 

[Dan_69GTX]

No, they aren't hard to slide.



I'd also like to know where "stock" placement is as well as how much do/ can you move it. As well as benifits/drawbacks of moving it.



Dan

 

[**ICEMAN**]

i have put the tst 250/635 in a couple trucks with out needing any transmission mods(auto's & 5-speeds). i set them full forward also. is your afc housing set full forward and the star wheel turned all the way in? if not,,try it. on the tst site look at the 12v install instructions for the way to do it. do you have the brass boost elbow? you'll need one if not. the tst plate is definately a big gain over sliding the stock plate and i also see better milage as long as it's not being tromped all the time. you can also file out the elongated slots in your stock plate to set it even more forward for a nice gain. tst will usually give a little discount especially if you get their gauges etc. as far as high egt's with the stock plate forward and towing causing damage,,i would say no damage. hopes this helps ya

 

[Forrest]

Dan_69GTX,



Start with the TST #11. Get it from TST or anyone else who sells them. You won't exceed your clutch with it. You can gain approx 60 hp over the #11 by sliding it forward, but may run into clutch problems.



The #11 blows away the stock plate. It's around the 280hp area centered. Mileage will be the same if you're foot's not in it all the time. Just watch EGT under load or lots of throttle.

 

[Deezul1]

I have 370 injectors and the stock plate slide forward about a 1/16" and running empty on a 95deg day I can peg my 1500 egt gauge with no trouble. As long as your truck runs good and isnt using oil it prolly wasnt hurt much. Do an oil analysis it will tell you a little about what is happening inside your engine.

 

[BC]

Dan, I was last year where you are this year.



Here's what I've learned: First, you need guages. Right now I have just the trannie guage and egt guage (post turbo). I tow heavy (12,000 lbs to 15,000 lbs) 6 to 8 times per month. Both of these guages tell me when to back off the power, or to down shift, or to pull over for a while. It's the only way you can know what your truck is doing. Heat kills!



I went with the TST plate. Ordered it from TST. Great company, great directions! I am not, repeat, NOT, a mechanic and was able to install the #8 plate.



I am not a hot rodder, I just want to be able to pull up all the hills around here when I'm towing.



I am in the process of maybe getting a new TST plate with more h. p. , increasing my pump timing, and maybe some new injectors.



Last year when I tweeked my truck I had the stock trannie. Didn't want to fry it. It fried at 93,000 miles. Since the trannie rebuild my truck can handle more power. Will problably do the power up grade.



Also, get rid of the stock filter. Either the K&N 880, or there's a new filter being used put out by Fleetguard. It's the size of a snare drum! Just saw one yesterday at the Southeastern TDR get together. It's HUGE!



Also look at getting synthentic fluids.



Again, I am not a hot rodder, I do want a great pulling truck. All my changes are to improve my pulling performance.



Hope this helps.



Bill Cook