Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) TST throttle plate kit for auto???

[joshfj40]

Has anyone put a TST throttle plate kit on their 12 valve cummins with an "automatic transmission?" if you have, which kit did you use as to not tear up the transmission and still get some more power. Did you feel a power diffrence? was there a mileage difference?? thanks for the help.

 

[JPittinger]

Slide your stock plate forward and you probably won't tear up your transmission. There's endless info about plates if you do a search, but most end up with a #10.

 

[BrosseauJD]

I put a #8 plate in my 97 4x4 3500 with an auto. I have even slid the plate forward about a 1/16" of an inch. I did notice a reasonable power gain, but only after the TCC Locks up. The motor just revs like crazy and I don't really move before that. I have gotten in the habit of driving with a moderate foot until the TCC locks, then I can step on it, and away we go. The kit came with a new boost elbow, which will now peg my 35 PSI gauge. I have read many other posts about people using #10 plates, but if you look at the TST Web page it does not recommend that plate for our trucks. They have a table, which shows the #8 plate for a 180 stock HP Auto 96 to 97.



In short... Yes it makes more power & No. . I have had no trans or TCC problems.



I am running about 1200 Deg on a long steep pull.



I hope that helps

 

[edgrim]

I think it would help if you'd post your truck in your signature, but here goes.



Most of us use the #10 plate works great with many rigs and engine/transmission combos. get the 3K spring kit also for the pump. According to TST 265 HP/605 Torque for a good stock transmission. You'll smile every time you drive well at least I do.



BrosseauJD

If your transmission is reving like crazy then goes after the T/C is locked then you've got transmission problems. You need new blades in the T/C and better line pressure to hold your clutch packs. Time to Bomb the transmission. JMHO

 

[KMacnicol]

I have a TST #6 plate with an auto in my '94 and do alot of towing and have not had any problems yet. The power over stock was amazing. I dragrace and I WISH I could buy that much h. p. for $235.

 

[RHARVEY]

#10 plate slide a little back from stock would be great!





Rick

 

[Dave Remillard]

Not trying to pirate away this thread, but where is the ideal location to place a #10 plate. I see rharvey stated back from stock, but mine is full forward right now. I don't think thats the best place for it. Just wondering. I also agree with most that depending on your truck, the #10 will more than likely be the better choice. You could also consider calling Piers and talking to him. They sell plates also and would do their best to set you up for what is most fitting for your driving style and needs.

 

[ndurbin]

My #10 plate is about halfway forward from the stock position.

 

[Howard Durand]

I started my upgrade path with a Banks Power Pak which includes a plate that appears to be quite similar to the TST #6.

It was a fairly satisfactory combination that allowed me to pull 7,000 to 10,000 lb trailers up most hills pretty well with a cautious eye on the egt gauge. It would be a fairly good combination to use with a stock transmission.



I recently bought a #10 from Piers and am trying to figure out how it needs to be adjusted for best performance.

When I installed it I set the governor arm to just above the lower tip of the plate, which is at the very bottom of the plate.

I have it about 0. 030" ahead of stock.

It has real good low end response and pulls well without egt problems but peters out at about 2300 rpm.

I called Piers about it and he recommends adjusting the governor arm up a little further above the lower tip of the plate. This should allow it to follow the plate profile further up and get a little more fuel at full throttle.



If you intend to tow a lot with an automatic, a good low stall torque converter and enhanced valve body are pretty much a minimum requirement.

 

[STripp]

My 95 4x4 has a #5 in the stock position and a stock T/C and transmission. My plans are to upgrade to a DTT or ATS triple-lok, but for now, I just drive it with alot of care.

The #5 makes loads of torque between 1200 and 1800rpms, and if I really romp on it in that RPM range I can feel the T/C slipping ever so slightly, so I just don't push my luck. RPMs are the key with a stock transmission and T/C. IMHO... More RPMs mean more line pressure and the stocker can handle more power with higher RPMs, just drive it gently until you can get rid of that stock junk and go with a good transmission and T/C combo.

The TST site has a great deal of info on the plate/vehicle combos and their numbers seem to be right on. They do not recommend anything above a #6 with stock trannys, and if you feel like you can't keep your foot out of it, I would go with their advice. Either way, the increase in power is amazing. and te best part is your fuel economy increases as long as you drive it with common sense.



just my $. 02.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Not trying to pirate away this thread, but where is the ideal location to place a #10 plate. I see rharvey stated back from stock, but mine is full forward right now. I don't think thats the best place for it. Just wondering. I also agree with most that depending on your truck, the #10 will more than likely be the better choice. You could also consider calling Piers and talking to him. They sell plates also and would do their best to set you up for what is most fitting for your driving style and needs.

with a DTT transmission and converter, full forward is the best place for it!

 

[champspa]

number 8 all the way forward and with an aftermarket transmission converter it will be great.

 

[JEricson]

I had a #8 plate installed at the tst shop in columbus ind. I am very happy with the improvement. Also very happy with the way i was treated by the people at tst.



I also installed a pro-loc torque loc control and set it to unlock at 30 mph. I tow a 13000 # trailer and i now tow in overdrive where i didn't feel comfortable before.

 

[TGaines]

I tried a number 6 in my 96 auto and had to take it out because it made the stock transmission shudder during lock-up. My transmission was just serviced and the bands supposedly adjusted, but it still couldn't take the plate in the stock location. I was also worried about egt's because I don't have guages. I know that's stupid but I just haven't been able to swing them yet. I should though.



Travis

 

[fleahead]

Yep, I went with TST#8, and installed it pretty much as the instructions showed. The torque increase was eye opening, but the TC couldn't handle it. It shuddered on my first pull. Had the TC replaced and haven't regretted it.

 

[TReed]

I have a JRE#3 plate which I believe is equal to a TST#6 and DD2 injectors and my 97 auto runs great. I do have a BD transmission. I can hit 1250 deg pretty quick. Last dyno with stock turbo was 308/707.

 

[Lsfarm]

Welcome!

Hello Josh, welcome to the TDR.

If you would fill in your signature it will help us all to help you. Go to the above Discussion Forums tab, then User Control Panel, then Edit Signature. Have you take care of The KIller Dowel Pin yet?? That is a first priority!!!



As for a fuel plate in your auto, adding any power to a stock automatic is a gamble, if driven with some knowledge it can last a long time. If driven hard, you will be buying a transmission overhaul.



I would recommend a 3gsk and just move the stock plate forward. The GSK [governor spring kit] will move the defuel point up farther in the RPM range and make a huge difference in daily driving. Moving the stock fuel plate forward will net a few extra HP/TQ, but the amount depends on which year your truck is.



If you want a fuel plate after installing a 3GSK, then I would recommend a #10 installed aft of the stock position, maybe all the way back. Just try it all the way back at first. I'm sure you will like the added power and driveabilty. This combination probably won't harm a healthy stock transmission. If your trans has lots of miles then all bets are off.



If by chance you are in the Great Lakes/Michigan area, please look me up and come drive my trucks with upgraded transmissions, and let me give you a quick education on our auto transmissions [show and tell at my rebuild bench] so you can help keep your trans alive as long as possible.



Hope this helps. Greg L.