I'm in the process of procuring a '95 ext cab 2wd 1 ton dually w/ a 5 speed tranny, with 93,000 original miles (from the original owner!). He's had everything fixed before it was a problem (all the TSB's, the KDP tabbed, and the 5th gear problem prevented). He's been very meticulous when it came to the maintenance of this truck. It's also had Amsoil in everything since 18,000 miles, and only fleetguard filters since new.

It's already been bombed a little with a Banks powerpack, but once I get it home, I plan on having the injection pump retimed by a local shop. What should I have it set at? Will having the pump set at 16* BTC give it more power and fuel economy without any adverse effects to its reliability? I always see it stated that advancing the pump will increase fuel economy, but nobody ever mentions whether it will shorten the life of the engine.

Other upgrades that will be done are:
-4" from the downpipe, into twin 5" chrome turnout stacks (straightpipes!)
-AFE stage 1 filter kit (used to be called the megacannon) w/ the proguard filter
-upgrade starter contacts

Anything else I should check into doing? This will be a daily driver, seeing only occasional trailer towing. I want to increase fuel economy and gain some power, but retain reliabiity. This truck currently gets 20 MPG empty.

Sorry for running on, but I'm excited about getting my first diesel truck! I'm no diesel virgin, though... I've been driving semi trucks for almost 7 years now.

 

Oh, I also plan on removing that wussy silencer ring on the turbo!

 

Setting the timing to 16.5° will increase engine longevity, it's more like what the engine was designed for for max power and economy before the EPA got hold of it.
Advancing timing will-
Decrease exhaust temperature
Increase cylinder temperatures/pressures
Increase fuel economy
Increase your output of NOx
Decrease your output of Hydrocarbons
Increase the amount of black smoke at peak torque

I personally feel removing the silencer ring is obnoxious, just adding the AFE will make it squeal enough.

Adding a 3k governor spring kit would be a nice addition.
The Banks plate you have is equal to a #10, great plate.

You should check the fuel pressure, the overflow valve does wear out. If you don't have way to check it's almost cheaper to just buy a new one from-
Precision Diesel Injection and Turbo Inc.
Marty Tompkins
888-734-7349
$22 + $5 shipping and handling.

 

http://www.dieselinjection.net/frames.html You might want to read these articles from one of the leaders in Cummins power improvements before advancing the timing.

 

i was wondering how much better the marine headgaskets are, i was looking at a 5.9 plate and it called out 22 degrees timing on a 300 hp marine engine. i have mine set at 16 and i am thinking about going higher, mike

 

which articles???

 

here is a pic of a data plate from a 300 hp marine 5.9

 

They must use differant heads and gaskets? to get that bumped to 22* on the marine version?

 

After 20 degrees it starts hurting your teeth on the throttle rap, 25 is a little annoying and takes about 150 more RPM to build boost over 20 degrees.

Jim

 

The marine head has a different swirl in the intake tract, and a different combustion bowl. I have my timing set up some, to 17 degrees, and it's all I want. Like Jim says, when you go too far the rattle becomes annoying, and there's a point of diminishing returns. BTW, @ 17 degrees I get 25 MPG regularly. I think mileage is a good test of efficiency. I will admit I have not tried it at 20 degrees.

 

My 94 "small" pumped CTD runs good at 19.5 I have not lost the head gasket and have been putting this truck through it all for the last 5 years. I mean cold start WOT pulling out of the driveway and many times ofver 40psi of boost. Again "small pump" but It runs good starts easy in the winter and passes our E-check system with a 1 out of a posible 20 so It must be doing something right. only thing that sux is at 19.5* i still can't use all of my 4k gov kit
DM01