Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Which cam plate?

[AMcKee]

Ok guys i just bought a 97 qc 3500 4x4 that is bone stock besides a pdr hx35 turbo. i am going to upgrade the intake and exhaust pretty soon. i think my next step will be a cam plate, im just unsure which one to get. i see some guys with like #6 and #4's which seem pretty radical. i noticed that pdr and tst dont recommend anything bigger than a #11 on my year/transmission truck due to the stock clutch slipping and high egt's. im not looking to go too radical but i dont want to have to swap plates out because i was unhappy with it. since im new to the scene i would appreciate any suggestions. also if you prefer a particular company. also if you could recommend a place to get a full 5 inch exhaust.



thanks guys

andy mckee.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Well the general idea is the #10 is the best all around plate, and its a very good plate in a 215hp pump (96-98) I know I had one in my 97 2500 I just sold. It DEFINATELY wakes a truck up that's for sure, but it will kill your OEM clutch eventually. My advice to you is if you think you will be satisfied by the #'s a #11 plate will give you then get it, BUT if your gonna want more power down the road possibly then go ahead and buy a #10 plate and run it in the full back (towards cab) pos. as long as your clutch will hold reasonably. However start saving for a clutch cause you will need one.



For exhaust there is only one place I would go... www.sourceautomotive.biz Rip is a stand up guy who will treat you right and he's price's generally cannot be beaten!

 

[mikel]

Get the #10. Just slide it back as needed to preserve the clutch, then later on if you decide to upgrade the clutch you can move it forward to the stock position or a little forward.



The #10 has a good fuel curve to it and works very well with governor springs as well.



Mike

 

[TPCDrafting]

I have the #11 slid about 1/2 way forward. My OEM clutch with 115k miles is slipping and being swapped out for a SBC on Monday. I have the 3k GSK, #11, and timing at 16. 5*. KN in stock box and no kitty. Dyno'ed on a dynojet at elevation at 369/900 in April.

I think deciding which plate to install, you need to first decide how you plan to use the truck. If pulling heavy on steap grades is your plan, then the #10 will give you plenty of power, but it will run too hot and you'll find yourself not being able to use the power rather you'll be baby sitting the pyro on every hill. I run the same speeds or better on hills pulling the trailer and watch my pyro closely, but I am running at 1/3 the go pedal to get it done.

My best advise, call Piers and pick their brain. Explain what you plan to use it for and what your goals are with power and they can narrow it down for ya.

 

[nfox]

Camplate

I would suggest the #10 plate as it is very user friendly, like stated in the above post slide it back towards the firewall to hold power down and when upgrades are installed slide it forward a 1/8 or more and FLOOR IT!!!Oo.

 

[WHIFF]

I've got a #10 plate. Very versatile. Has a sort of half-moon shape and can be slid forward or backward and maintain a relatively stable power band. Other shapes have large 'nubs' if you will, and they tend to not be as receptive to the sliding as a #10 is. If you've got a stock transmission, it might cause a little bit of problem, torque-wise. I am assuming you have a 5-sp, since you say #11 is the TST recommendation for your transmission. If you go with a #10, you'll have to slide it back a bit, until you get a better clutch.

HTH



Oh, by the way... If you are sure it's bone-stock, I'd get that KDP tabbed or use Harold's jig to pin it. It'll save you upwards of $1500 later

:--)

And one more thing: Don't mess with fueling until you have a pyro and boost gauge at the very least! Just my humble opinion!

 

[JKouzez]

i personally would would wait on that 5 inch exhaust the stock exhaust is good till about 400 horses, save that 500 bucks for a clutch just my suggestion and opinion.

 

[edmeyers]

you can order a 5" from city muffler they run ebay ads for the complete system i think i saw them last for under $350 if you have a pdr hx35 i would call piers and talk with one of the guys tell them what you have and let them steer you in the right direction also if it were me i would check the current plate in the pump to verify that it is indeed a stock plate take a pic of the profile and post it here some will tell u what plate you have if it is not stock or custom cut.



oh BTW i love my #10 but to each his own.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by WHIFF

I've got a #10 plate. Very versatile. Has a sort of half-moon shape and can be slid forward or backward and maintain a relatively stable power band.

Here is a pic of a #10 plate profile.

#ad

Originally posted by JKouzez

i personally would would wait on that 5 inch exhaust the stock exhaust is good till about 400 horses, save that 500 bucks for a clutch just my suggestion and opinion.

I agree. A buddy of mine did that on a stock 97 5spd... he ended up putting a muffler back on to get some low end power back.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Here is a pic of a #10 plate profile.



Close but no cookie, that one is a little different!



Jim

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by Got Smoke?

. he ended up putting a muffler back on to get some low end power back.

I never lost any with my truck. Seems quite the opposite. Plus, the turbo spools up VERY quickly. Virtually no lag at all.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by Jim Fulmer

Here is a pic of a #10 plate profile.



Close but no cookie, that one is a little different!



Jim

How so Jim? It was supposed to be a geniune TST #10... ..... even though it was bought second hand ... . how was it different? If its something "THAT" noticeable I may want it back cause I just sold my truck with it in there!! :{

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by bmoeller

I never lost any with my truck. Seems quite the opposite. Plus, the turbo spools up VERY quickly. Virtually no lag at all.

Look back at my post just BEFORE where you started quoting! My buddy did that to a "STOCK 97" you have a #10 plate which is pretty far from stock.

 

[JO'Leary]

I just installed a #10 w/3k gsk (thanks Greatlakesdieselworks) and love it. It's slid back about half way and still has plenty of power and very little smoke.

My auto trans is not impressed :--)



Joe

 

[BPonci]

I think Jim sees the shadow on the lower ledge of the plate.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Na, I wasn't seeing the shadow, may be I was mixed up with the thread that had one on Ebay that someone ground themselves and was trying to sell(that's all I'll say about the plate) Now having said that if it was a real #10 I would have never put a pic of it on the net but most people that cut there own never seem to make them work good anyway!



Jim

 

[BPonci]

Good point Jim.

 

[AMcKee]

Thnx guys i appreciate all the great advice. I will wait on the exhaust and definately will get some gauges first. i believe I will go with the #10 plate and 3gsk springs to start.



thanks again,

andy

 

[PaulG1]

Regarding some of the power postings in this thread.



I see multiple postings above 300 hp with #11/10 plates and maybe 3GSK's but no other mentioned mods.



TST posts I think 230 hp for the #10 depending on year of truck and configuration.



Should I expect above 300 HP with a #10 and my config or am I missing somthing.



Thanks,



Paul

 

[bmoeller]

Paul-



Since you have '95, 5 spd, TST shows a #8 plate as 230/605. If you had a '96-'98 truck w/ man. transmission, it would be 330/750 w/ #10 plate. This would be assuming all else is stock. You can slide the plate ahead for more fuel also.



The power for a given plate would be higher since you have bigger injectors. How much? Would depend on how big they are over stock.