TST Plate

[Fatboy]

I have noticed in many post profiles that some use a #5, #6, #11 etc. Judging by the use in the membership they seem to have a pretty solid endorsement. Looking at the TST web site it doesn't discuss the different sizes, their applications or their specs. My 12V is basically stock and I would like some more towing power on the hills, not a lot as I only pull maybe 5k. Any discussion would be welcome.

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97 2500 Reg Cab, 4X4, AT, SLT-loaded, 3. 54 Red/Driftwood

 

[John Dimartino]

If your only towing 5K,Id just get the 230/605 plate if i were you. You wont believe the difference in power it makes,night and day increase. I have the #6-250/635 plate,and i can slip the Torque convertor clutch in OD. I put in a trans-go shift kit,that fixed that problem. I think the transmission will be much happier,and last longer with the 230 plate. I think bobing is contagious though-now i want to yank the trans-put in a low stall convertor,Hd clutches. Then 370's and delivery valves-it gets worse-more power ARRRRRGGGGG.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Check with TST- the Numbers on the plates mean different things depending on auto or manual and the year.

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1996-350 tst #5 plate, K&N air filter,Primeloc fuel filter kit,4" exhaust,Purodyne bypass oil fiter system, bigger injectors,b&m trans pan,Amsoil all around,temp gauges out the wazzo,much trans work,double tow 33' 5th wheel and 12' trailer w/motorcycle(Honda Valkyarie Interstate)Also have 1999-250-stock.
Installing Transfer-Flow 98 gal. bed tank, governor spring kit(BD), and Bill Kodalay's TC on 96 dualie.

 

[PSInt]

I wrote to TST about a recommendation. Possibly the reply will be of use to you :

I feel our kit would not fix your mileage problem, injection timing and
fuel pressure are the major items that affect mileage. I would expect about
19-20 mpg on 2500 and 18-19 on a 3500 empty.

I've included our standard response for recommended kits.

Mark

TST has 3 power kits ($299 each mail order) that can be applied to the 96/98
automatic equipped 12 valve Ram Diesel:

Kit # Horsepower/ Torque Horsepower/Torque
with stock turbine housing with 16 cm2 turbine housing
Stock 180 bhp/420 lb-ft 180 bhp/400 lb-ft
# 08 230 " 605 " 245 " 615
"**
# 06 250 " 635 " ** 270 " 650
"**
# 05 270 " 675 " ** 300 " 700
"**

** Not certified for highway use in North America

The addition of a 16 cm2 turbine housing ($175) helps the engine breathe a
bit better at high power reducing exhaust temperature and giving the higher
power kits a slight power gain.

635 lb-ft is the torque limit for the stock automatic however the addition
of our shift kit ($50) appears to move torque capability up to about 750.

Gauges are very helpful in troubleshooting and are highly recommended if you
go above 250 hp. TST has a 50 psi boost gauge kit for $75 and a 1500 degree
F exhaust pyrometer kit for $170. These kits contain all tubing, fittings,
wiring, sensors and mounting cup for a Ram application.

Thanks for your interest.

Mark @ TST



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1996 2500 4X4 Auto 3. 54 gears...

 

[PSInt]

I did a cut and paste on the above reply. Form here not wide enough and distorted it a little but I think you can figure it out if you look at it for awhile #ad

 

[tschwab]

Just received my TST #8 and will have it in by next week. How good is the transGo shift kit and how difficult is it to install?

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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, 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

 

[danandamy]

I have the #6 slid all the way forward and have yet to slip the T/C clutch (pause to knock on wood). I pull my 33' travel trailer pretty hard and have had no problems @107,000 miles. When I first bought my truck a couple of years ago it only had 57,000 miles and was bone stock. With the auto and 3. 54 gears, towing performance sucked. I'm sorry, but it's true, it's true. Anyway, now it's the funnest to drive truck I've ever owned. I love to pull with this thing. I may try and get my pump timing checked at May Madness but other than that, I really don't care to do anything else to it, as it always gets the job done. My only regret about putting in the TST plate is that I didn't do it sooner as it would have saved me alot of trash talking I had to endure before from my PSD owning Dad!

Daniel

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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, 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!"

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I have over 100k on my 230/605 TST plate, and I look forward to driving the truck every day. I have a stock auto trans. and have not had any trouble so far, driving it sensibly most of the time. (the power is there if I need it!). I put the plate in the exact position as the stock one, then after reading some of the posts here,I moved it forward all the way. That got me TC clutch slippage just cracking the throttle, so I moved it back to a location about 1/16" ahead of stock and like it much better there.

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Locomotive Engineer/Red Ram Driver! 97, 2500, Auto,3:54, 2WD, Re-sale Red, Loaded w/Leather, Diamond Tread running boards & box, Bumper guards, "Bull Ring" tie-downs, Front bumper guards, Clearance lights, TST 230 HP kit (slid forward), Missing silencer ring K&N, Combo exhaust temp & boost gauge, Eng. & Trans. temp gauges, 3 Pos. Lock up switch.