Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Where to Start?

[DChupp]

New to this site. I have 96 club cab 247,000 miles, box stock, original auto trans. I do light towing (12,000 gvwr) and since this truck has paid for itself in the 5 years I've owned it, I'm ready to up the performance. I'm patient. What steps should I take over the next 3 to 5 years to get this truck to reliably produce more horsepower. 400 horses should about do it.

Thanks

 

[RAJohnson]

Check out this Bombing guide. This is the order to do things right.



Bombing Guide

 

[DBraunig]

Hey DChupp, Welcome to the TDR. I would suggest.....



1) Search this website for the "KDP" (Killer Dowl Pin) and fix it 1st

2) Full set of gauges: Boost, Exhaust (pre-turbo) and Trans temp

3) Free flowing intake. I prefer AFE, but there are a lot of options

4) Open 4" Exhaust system, Lose the Catalytic converter

5) Set timing to 16*, Change all filters, clean fuel prefilter and check/replace rubber fuel lines, verify fuel pressure

6) Fuel Plate, maybe a 6 or 10, you decide. see http://www.tstproducts.com/index.asp and http://www.piersdiesel.com/index.htm

7) Governor Spring kit, also from TST or PDR



At this point the truck will be much stronger and you will be ready for...



8) 370 marine injectors, see http://www.industrialinjection.com/ Oo.



And then to put it all to the ground, my personal favorite by Far



9) A DTT Trans :--) http://www.dieseltrans.com/



This should put you in the 350-400 range, depending on your fuel plate selection, maybe more with some tweaking. I would also suggest spending some time reading this site, http://dodgeram.org/. It is full of good information. All these companies offer great products and outstanding customer support (they are all on my truck ). In my opinion, you can't go wrong with any of them. Search this website and gain knowledge before you bomb/build/buy, lots of guys here already did it the hard way and are willing to share their experiences. Hope this helps,



Dave