Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Will my truck still be idiot proof?

[RyanStewart]

So I'm planning on installing my #10 plate and 3kgsk next week. I want more power, but I don't have the money to really get into it (new turbo, injectors, ect) and I want the truck to remain fairly idiot proof. I want to be able to hand the keys to anyone without having to give them a long list of instructions on how to drive it properly, and I don't want to worry about anyone accidentally blowing it up if they're not careful. This is what I explained to Piers before I bought the plate and GSK, and the #10 and 3kgsk is what they recommended for my truck.



I've been reading through the old posts though, and I've seen a lot about being able to rev to 3400 rpm under load with the 3kgsk, and that you have to start watching your EGT's on the top end after you install the gsk. So I'm wondering now will my truck still be relatively user friendly after I install the plate and gsk? Are there adjustments I can make with the 3kgsk to bring the max RPM's down and control EGT without sacrificing low end power? Thanks

 

[MAleksandrowicz]

With the 10 plate it will still defuel on the topend so that your egts should not get too high. You can put a valet switch in it but with only a plate and gsk it will be a dog when the valet switch is on.

 

[tp0d]

install a small 1/8" valve on the AFC (called a valet switch) so when you have someone else drive it, you close the valve, and approx 100hp disappears... and no egt problems.



kinda a pain to get under the hood, but its worth the engine protection.



after the plate and gsk, your truck will run great. of course you gotta watch boost and egt, but that comes with the territory.



good luck



-j



edit. . ya beat my post by a few seconds... dam. .

 

[RyanStewart]

What exactly does the valet switch do, and where do I get one? Is it some way to bring power back to stock, or does it limit the power in some other way?



How careful will I have to be when I drive my truck with a #10 and 3KGSK? I drove a 6. 2L Chevy Blazer with a Banks turbo for a long time and there were times I had to be pretty careful with it, mainly to keep the EGT from getting out of hand in the mountains. I got kinda tired of having to keep such a close eye on things. With my Dodge, I'd really like to be able to just drive it.



Also, people will be borrowing my truck to tow sometimes (my mom to tow her gooseneck horse trailer for example), and I like them to have the full benefit of the power increase too. Is there anything I can do besides install a valet switch? I don't mind bringing the power back a little if it makes the truck a little more user friendly.

 

[MAleksandrowicz]

The valet switch cuts the boost signal to the afc. The foot in the afc will not move and the plate will never be used. You can buy a valet switch that uses an electronic solonoid and can be operated in the cab or just go to a hardware store and buy an 1/8th inch NPT Needle valve and hook it up to the AFC. Your egts should not be too much of an issue seeing as the 10 plate is a mild plate on a 160 pump. I would be suprised if you could hit 1200 degrees pre-turbo egt.

 

[RAndrae]

I have a 96 with a 3000 gsk pdr hx35 16 cm housing turbo and # 10 plate guages ehaust ect. Depends on where you put the plate. forward and it will peg your egt guage. I adjusted my plate to where it fairly idiot proff but on a hot day with big load GOTTA really watch the EGT guage... .....

 

[RyanStewart]

I've got a 180 pump, its a manual transmission truck. I would imagine it will be slightly less mild than a 160 pump, although considerably more mild than a 215 pump. I've been wondering too if I really have so much to worry about with EGT. Most of the posts I've read about high EGT with a 3KGSK seem to be in trucks with a 215 pump.



I suppose my biggest concern is overreving the engine and floating the valves. Is the possible with a 3KGSK? Piers said no, but I'm reading about people getting to 3500 - 3600 pretty easily, which from what I understand is way past the point when valve float becomes an issue.

 

[CorneliusJ]

Ryan,



Yes, you have to be careful with your truck. I have the 3k springs and a #10 plate and I have to watch my gauges. Empty, and on the flat your truck should not see high egt's. But towing is an issue, and you can easily get high egt's, especially in the mountains. I wouldn't let anybody drive my truck who did not understand the potential for high boost and high egt's. After you modify a truck anybody who drives your truck has to keep an eye on the gauges.





Jim

 

[JGrover]

You can cut back some of that insane power with the starwheel.

When I first put my #10 plate in. I moved the top afc cover full forward.

Just being a little on the throttle, Truck launched,Blew black smoke and 45psi boost asap.

Tightened up the starwheel and now have good tq at 1600 rpm and really runs fast at 1800rpm+ Truck is more forgiving now. I also adjusted the wastegate to keep my boost around 34psi for most pretty hard pulls. But will still get 40 psi with my foot really in it around 3000 rpm

If you set your 3GSK up intial click plus two. You should only Rev to maybe 3200. When ya mash on it, your moving so fast, I dont spend a whole lot of time watching the Tack :-laf

 

[Bob4x4]

I've got a 180 pump, its a manual transmission truck. I would imagine it will be slightly less mild than a 160 pump, although considerably more mild than a 215 pump. I've been wondering too if I really have so much to worry about with EGT. Most of the posts I've read about high EGT with a 3KGSK seem to be in trucks with a 215 pump.



I suppose my biggest concern is overreving the engine and floating the valves. Is the possible with a 3KGSK? Piers said no, but I'm reading about people getting to 3500 - 3600 pretty easily, which from what I understand is way past the point when valve float becomes an issue.

Have you chamged the pump? the 94 5 spd is a 175 hp. The 10 plate and 3k is very mild in the 175 pump,no egt issues and certainly no problem with rpm. The 180 pump will make more rpm easier if you do indeed have that pump,temps will still be fine.



Bob

 

[Bob4x4]

If you set your 3GSK up intial click plus two. You should only Rev to maybe 3200. When ya mash on it, your moving so fast, I dont spend a whole lot of time watching the Tack :-laf

the 97 pump and the 94 pump are worlds different.



Bob

 

[RyanStewart]

I thought the 175 and 180 pump were the same.

 

[Bob4x4]

I thought the 175 and 180 pump were the same.

Nope. They are diferent calibrations



Bob

 

[JGheen]

I suppose my biggest concern is overreving the engine and floating the valves. Is the possible with a 3KGSK? Piers said no, but I'm reading about people getting to 3500 - 3600 pretty easily, which from what I understand is way past the point when valve float becomes an issue.

I have been curious about this as well. Mine easily revs to 3600+ if I don't take my foot off the pedal with my 3k springs, so how do you adjust the spring keepers to keep the engine around 3-3200rpms?



Any friendly advice Bob?



Joe

 

[Bob4x4]

I have been curious about this as well. Mine easily revs to 3600+ if I don't take my foot off the pedal with my 3k springs, so how do you adjust the spring keepers to keep the engine around 3-3200rpms?



Any friendly advice Bob?



Joe

I have the hd valve springs,don't rev it that hi often and have learned don't sweat the sall stuff... ... ... ... . and its all small stuff



Bob

 

[JGheen]

Ok..... I have the HD exhaust springs as well, so when I mash the pedal during a pull and the revs just keep going to upwards of around 4K, don't sweat it? That's your friendly advice?



Come on, help a brutha out. Should I just give my springs a click or two tighter and adjust the idle from there??



Joe

 

[Bob4x4]

I don't sweat it. and my truck is old



Bob

 

[RyanStewart]

Going another couple clicks on the factory springs is what I plan on doing right now. I'm gonna see what that does for me for now and then go from there. I'll be trying it out this weekend, so I'll be back with an update later.

 

[JGheen]

Ryan, interested to hear your results.





Joe

 

[Forrest]

So I'm planning on installing my #10 plate and 3kgsk next week. I want more power, but I don't have the money to really get into it (new turbo, injectors, ect) and I want the truck to remain fairly idiot proof. I want to be able to hand the keys to anyone without having to give them a long list of instructions on how to drive it properly, and I don't want to worry about anyone accidentally blowing it up if they're not careful. This is what I explained to Piers before I bought the plate and GSK, and the #10 and 3kgsk is what they recommended for my truck.

Thanks

Ryan, here's a post up your alley.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122032



The truck is still running great! Nic tows a large work trailer full of tools & puts on tons of miles per year both on & off road. Must have a bazillion miles on it by now. Nic runs from Reno to N of Vegas once every other week