Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) What would YOU do?

[AKester]

Oo. Hey folks, I have a 97 extended cab long box 3/4 ton with camper special. I have had it for about two years now and am going to start doing a little more serious pulling with it. It has got just shy of 300k miles on it and is relatively unmolested. The owner before me put on a Bank's 4" stainless exhaust, down pipe, K&N, and a stage II fuel plate. It still has stock injectors, intake/exhaust manifolds. I would like to make around 500HP so she doesn't have to work too hard on my long road trips. I will primarily be pulling a 24' enclosed utility trailer with close to 10000 lbs. packed in it.



I figured that I would see what the experts have to say on the best combination for me. Should I have the head gone through at this point, different turbo, injectors, manifolds... all that fun stuff. I don't have all the money in the world but it is my shop truck so I do have a little additional funding. Thanks for any input guys.

 

[JoshPeters]

Well 500hp... .



Since you are towing I'd go a bit farther with the "cooling" side of things than normal. Most of us are just doing short bursts... You'll be sustaining that HP for some time.



At that HP level I'm going to recommend O-rings or Fire rings. I prefer Fire Rings. Since the head is off, I'd have a valve job done, and have it ported and polished. You'll want more flow to keep the EGT's down for the long runs.



Get it all back together, get a nice set of injectors from your favorite company. Right now Industrial Injection has some sweet injectors I personally was looking at. They are the Dragon Flow injectors. They may be a touch to tall for what you are looking at, so I'd call Brady and see what he recommends. Since you are already calling him, Talk to him about Delivery valves, a fuel plate, and the Silver Bullet..... Not Coors light... although that's a great beer (IMHO)



They have a great turbo under that name. My experience in riding in a truck with one is... The Spool-up is about that of an HX40. Not terribly laggy, but it will have plenty of air for towing.



Intake... there are plenty of vendors that have their version of the BHAF (Big Honkin Air Filter). I have a "Green" brand filter. One of the favorites amongst the board is AFE. They are a reusable type filter.



Exhaust, ATS makes a 3 piece manifold that won't break off the bolts due to shrinkage. I believe it flows a little better, for a little better spool, but I don't know if that has been proven.



And above all... . if you don't have guages... . Get EGT, and Boost. If you have an automatic, Trans temp.



Josh

 

[AKester]

Thanks Josh, I do have both boost and egt gauges, and a 5-speed. I was also thinking about a gear vendors unit, any thoughts?

 

[JoshPeters]

At that power level I've heard of guys having problems with the Gear Vendors unit.



I'd throw that question out in the towing/hauling forum and see what guys have to say.



Josh

 

[Matthug]

Gauges

Pro guard 7 AFE intake

4'' exhuast or bigger

HX40 or killer B2 w/14cm housing (HX40 will be about maxxed out at 500 HP though)

ats manifold

DDP3 injectors

10 plate

SBC con FE 13''

16* timing

studs and fire rings



Possibly a cam? Help keep EGT's down, faster spool and more power.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

AKester, one thing you may come up against once you start cranking up the power is a tiring engine. I bought my '96 with 350k that was stock and turned mine up to the low 300hp range. I've had some issues (intermittent miss, occasional high oil usage & blowby) but at 392k it's still doing OK. At 500hp you'll need a pretty tight, healthy motor and chances are at 300k the motor is past its prime. It all depends on how it was maintained and driven. Frankly some engines were built better than others to begin with (as is the case with pretty much all man-made products).



I'd suggest turning up the power to the low-mid 300s and see how it does for awhile. It'll let you know if it's up for it or not.



Vaughn

 

[Matthug]

^Good advice.

 

[AKester]

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I'll keep you all updated as I make progress on the project!

Aaron

 

[burnin oil]

Add a valet switch. That way you wont get full fueling while towing.

 

[DJWyckoff]

high milage trucks will tend to not be as reliable when squeezin that hp out. that is also my goal. however as good as it sounds to have an excuse to replace things as they fail turbo, torque, this is what my $ does now. if I had the choice of building up my shop truck I would consider freshining it up as well. the blow-by on mine concerns me but im twisted and want to see how long the cummins will run before rebuild. I would do every thing that you think will fail and some extra for insurance. I like to start at the back rear diff and work forward vs spending big (engine) and poping a 5th gear nut or some thing. have fun and good luck.

 

[bmoeller]

Gauges

Pro guard 7 AFE intake

4'' exhuast or bigger

HX40 or killer B2 w/14cm housing (HX40 will be about maxxed out at 500 HP though)

ats manifold

DDP3 injectors

10 plate

SBC con FE 13''

16* timing

studs and fire rings



Possibly a cam? Help keep EGT's down, faster spool and more power.

Skip the HX-40. Won't be enough. I need more turbo myself. For towing with that much HP, look at twin turbos.